See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Hurricane Sandy has wreaked havoc on high school sports.
All of this weekend’s games have been postponed until next week when schools reopen, the Public School Athletic League posted on their website on Wednesday. No official schedules have been released.
Brooklyn players and their coaches were floored by the news — but understood that only something like the Frankenstorm would shut down the Public School Athletic League for a week.
“There is nothing that can be done,” said Fort Hamilton girls soccer coach Ed Coyne. “It’s an unfortunate circumstance.”
The postponements include the final week of the football season as well as boys and girls soccer playoffs. The post season is expected to begin on Nov. 6.
Some fear that the long layoff could affect team momentum, game play, and outcomes.
“It’s going to be very hard to play because the kids aren’t going to be in shape,” said Coyne, whose team faces Staten Island Tech in the second round. “After a week off the field I hope they are running on their own.”
But Poly Prep volleyball star Jacquie Kennedy feels the cancellations are appropriate: there are people dead and families without power or homes because of the damage Sandy caused.
“I have friends who have lost so much, so volleyball hasn’t really been on my mind,” Kennedy said. “But I can’t wait to get back in the gym and try to bring the title home our school and our community.”
The New York State Association of Independent schools and the Catholic High School league have also postponed its soccer and volleyball playoffs until further notice. The Catholic High School Football League officials say the games will be played next weekend and new dates and times will be announced on Nov. 5, according to its website
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.