GRIFFIN, Ga. — The Griffin High School vs. Spalding High School competition game will have no spectators due to safety concerns.
The Griffin-Spalding County School District published this release on its website on the last day of the semester before the holiday break:
In the interest of safety, and out of an abundance of caution, no spectators will be allowed at this year's Griffin High vs. Spalding High basketball competitions (1/20/24 and 2/3/24). Only team essential personnel will be permitted on the school campus for the scheduled varsity games. Neither GHSA nor GSCS employee ID passes will be accepted for spectator admission, as tickets are not being sold and the game is closed to all except game essential personnel (coaches, trainers, referees, etc.). JV and 9th-grade games scheduled for those dates will be rescheduled or canceled.
The games will be streamed on the NFHS Network via a subscription. Monthly subscriptions start at $11.99 and yearly subscriptions at $79.99. Schools receive a portion of the yearly subscription if you use the affiliate links below, and this provides you with access to watch football, flag football, volleyball, basketball and soccer live or on-demand for your school and for tens of thousands of high school athletic events nationwide each week.
After hearing, parents started sounding off— some say this is extreme, while others believe it's for the best.
Shuntel Hosley said her daughter is a point guard for the Griffin High Lady Bears.
"They're playing with no fans? It's not going to really be a game," Hosley said.
Hosley said she's never missed a game. And she believes the district released the statement on Dec. 15 on purpose.
"They released something on Christmas break knowing that no one can actually get in contact with anybody at district," Hosley said.
A representative with the school district said that there have been fights between folks in the crowd at the Griffin vs. Spalding basketball games in recent years. Spectators will be permitted, as usual, for all other home games. Fans will pass through the Evolv weapons detection systems.
Back in October, a 15-year-old student was shot and killed after the same rivalry match in football.
Hosley said she understands the safety issues.
"I witnessed both of them from last year," Hosley said. "It was a fight at Spalding. And it was a fight at Griffin."
Hosley said her daughter was still disappointed.
"She doesn't like it," Hosely said.
Audrea Bankston has a nephew and niece who play for Griffin High as well. Her niece felt the same.
"She's kind of disappointed," Bankston said. "She doesn't want to play."
Parents said they shouldn't have to pay to see the team play. They believe the stream should be free.
Hosley said the athletes feed off the crowd's energy.
Bankston has come up with some solutions.
"Meet with the local police department as well as the sheriff's department to think about safety plans. Offer a two-ticket limit to parents," Bankston said.
She also thinks moving the game earlier could help.
"Changing the times," Bankston added. "Varsity playing at 11 a.m."
On social media, other parents disagreed. They said they're sad it's come to this, but if empty stands keep the students safe, so be it.
Hosley said that parents and athletes shouldn't be punished because young people are making poor decisions. Players may be missing scouting opportunities or state-level and playoff opportunities.
"You have seniors that want to go to that next level and play college ball," Hosley said.