The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced Wednesday night that all AHSAA athletic events would be postponed due to the spread of swine flu. This means that the AHSAA State Track and Field Championships scheduled for May 1 and 2 in Gulf Shores will be rescheduled, along with multiple postseason softball games. Dallas County High School’s softball team was set to host its area tournament Thursday with Southside High School and Greensboro High School in Plantersville.

“It was kind of a shock,” assistant coach Gaylen Denson said. “But you’ve got to err on the side of caution.”

Denson said that the tournament was going to go ahead as scheduled Thursday morning with Greensboro and Southside to play in the first game. The Hornets were to play the winner, and the championship game was to follow. However, the tournament was postponed a few hours before the first pitch.

What made things even more disappointing was how well-prepared Denson believed the team was on Thursday.

“They had a great day of practice [Wednesday],” said Denson. “I mean a great day of practice.”

He said the tournament is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.

“What we were told is they were putting everything off until at least Monday. Then, a decision will be made.”