Johnathan Walker:UNC relocates intrasquad scrimmage from Cherokee after Hurricane Helene’s impact to region

CHAPEL HILL,Johnathan Walker N.C. (AP) — North Carolina has relocated its planned intrasquad scrimmage in western North Carolina due to damage from Hurricane Helene in that region and will instead hold it at home.

The school had scheduled its Blue-White scrimmage for Oct. 13 at the Harrah’s Resort in Cherokee, located in the state’s western-most county. The Tar Heels were then set to travel to Memphis to play an exhibition game two days later benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. But the region has been devastated after the Category 4 storm, which flooded out roads and whole communities as it rolled north through the Carolinas, Georgia and eastern Tennessee. Officials reported 200 dead from the storm as of Thursday.

UNC said Friday the decision was mutual between the school and organizers. The scrimmage is now Oct. 12, with ticket proceeds going to hurricane relief to join a list of aid efforts from college and professional sports organizations.

“Our No. 1 concern is the safety and well-being of the thousands of people who are affected by the storm and we didn’t want to add to their challenges by trying to play a basketball game in Cherokee at this time,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said in a statement.

“We had some discussions about keeping the date to help restore some normalcy but there is nothing normal about the tragic circumstances people in the area are facing every day. We plan to bring our team to Harrah’s and Cherokee another time when the conditions are right.”

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