Columbus basketball league offers exposure for college prospects during pandemic
How COVID-19 has impacted high school basketball in Central Ohio
By Kameron Black
11–24–2020
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Typically, the Mary Ann Butler Building can occupy hundreds of spectators for basketball games. But in the middle of a pandemic, the location is eerily quiet. Not until you walk down an empty hallway do you suddenly hear the sounds of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood. Upon entering the gymnasium, a few socially-distanced guests can be seen in the bleachers with masks covering their faces.
Renny Tyson, co-director of The Fall League, hopes to offer some normalcy to local high school athletes during this time of uncertainty. With over 220 high school boys and 120 high school girls participating, The Fall League aims to fill the niche between AAU programs and school leagues for basketball players in Central Ohio. Throughout the past 7 years, Tyson has helped basketball players obtain over 6 million dollars in college scholarships.
Although COVID-19 has definitely impacted high school sports, Tyson ensures that The Fall League follows proper protocol in order to provide a safe environment for athletes to compete. When describing The Fall League’s safety precautions, Tyson said, “We take this very serious.”
During the pandemic, one of the biggest issues for local athletes seems to be finding access to open gymnasiums and weight rooms.
A sophomore from Beechcroft High School, Amani Lyles, says that COVID-19 has affected his daily workout routine. He has had to adapt to home exercises in his basement. “It is pretty much impossible to get in a gym right now.”
Lyles, who is a standout player in The Fall League, recently received a NCAA Division I scholarship offer from Cleveland State University.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has suspended in-person recruiting until at least January 2021 for all Division I sports. By broadcasting games through a livestream, The Fall League has created an opportunity to increase local athletes’ exposure for college recruitment. Multiple players have received calls and text messages with interest from college coaches. A recent showcase game in October helped Donovan Hunter, Devin Royal, and Dailyn Swain receive NCAA Division I scholarship offers.
Another standout player in The Fall League is Desmond Watson, a senior at St. Francis DeSales High School. After compiling over 13 scholarship offers from NCAA Division I schools, Watson recently committed to Davidson College in North Carolina. Davidson has a well-known basketball program that has produced 15 NBA players, including NBA superstar Stephen Curry.
In preparation for playing at the collegiate level, Watson has been working out with a personal trainer. He also trains at local parks in his spare time, such as the Hoover Reservoir Park in Westerville. Watson enjoys running up and down the stairs of the Hoover Dam.
Some high school athletic associations around the country are postponing their seasons in response to the coronavirus. According to Next College Student Athlete (NCSA), the world’s largest college recruiting network, New Mexico is the only state to completely cancel all winter competition for high school sports.
With COVID-19 cases continuously rising in the United States, there is discussion of another potential lockdown. Even though high school sports in Ohio are currently listed to play their original schedule, many student-athletes and families are wondering if the upcoming basketball season will actually begin.
Regardless of the circumstances, they are looking forward to the future and hope to represent their high schools on the basketball court this winter.