Spring sports has brought excitement and a sense of normality back to Jones campus. Fans and students are able to attend games but remain socially distanced and must wear a mask while at the games. As a result of fans and student athletes following CDC guidelines the Bobcat teams have not had to cancel a game on account of COVID outbreaks.
There has not been any resurgence of COVID-19 among members of Jones athletic teams or programs, but because the Bobcat teams have not had any cases does not mean other teams did not. The men’s basketball team had to cancel multiple conference games due to the coronavirus affecting teams, including both matchups with Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the second meeting against Pearl River Community College.
The women’s basketball team has only had one of their games cancelled throughout the season, which was the second matchup against PRCC. The softball team had a postponed home game doubleheader against Baton Rouge Community College that was originally scheduled for April 1 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. It was not an easy task to, do but the Bobcats have been successful in keeping their athletes safe and limiting exposure from others. While things may seem negative, the Bobcat teams are still persevering through the challenges and winning. The Lady Bobcats won their 5th straight Region title, then played in the NJCAA Tournament in Texas.
The men and women’s soccer teams opened up their first games of the season during Good Friday weekend. The number 9 ranked men’s team took on Itawamba Community College Indians and was able to squeak past them with a 3-2 win that started the season off with 1-0. The Lady Bobcats were victorious as well against Itawamba as they showcased a dominant performance for a 4-0 win on the road. The win puts the women’s soccer team at a great start to the season at 1-0, looking to build on that for the next outing.
The softball team has had a strong season with a record of 11-5 in MACC conference play overall 25-7 and 4th in the standings in the whole MACC conference. The Lady Bobcats played Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College over Good Friday weekend in a double header that saw them win their matchup 9-1 but dropping their latest one 4-7. The softball team faced Co-Lin in a double header, which led to a loss of 4-5 but won the second match 3-2. The softball team swept Coahoma CC in both double headers 10-0 and 12-0.
Both tennis teams dominated in the MACC during this season. The women’s team won the Region 23 championship and ended the season 20-0. The men fell to Mississippi Gulf Coast in the Region 23 Tennis championship, ending with a 17-4 season. Tennis will next play in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, scheduled for May 1-5.
by Caleb Harris