Parents and students urge longer competition court at Military Magnet Academy; board says district standard is 84 feet

A large group of Military Magnet Academy parents, students and community leaders used the board’s public-comment period to press the district to build a longer competition basketball court at the school’s new gym. Speakers said playing regularly on shorter home courts puts the program at a competitive disadvantage and argued that other CCSD high schools have longer courts.

“Military Magnet Academy is still fighting for equitable athletic facilities and resources,” Reverend Cynthia E. Smalls told trustees. “This appears to be favoritism, not equity,” she said, adding that championship-level programs should receive championship-level facilities.

A student described on-the-court difficulties when playing on 84-foot home courts and asked the board to consider the competitive mismatch of playing away games on longer regulation surfaces. Several parents recalled that teams historically practiced at nearby schools with 94-foot courts in preparation for postseason play and argued the new facility should allow the same preparation at home.

Superintendent Na Huggin responded during the district’s reply portion of the public-comment period, saying the state competition length is 84 feet and that CCSD’s most recent gym designs were built to that standard with the ability to lengthen to 88 feet. “CCSD's last two gyms built, Lucy Beckham and James Island Charter, have 84-foot courts with the ability to lengthen to 88 feet,” she said, and added that Principal Dr. Perano would follow up directly with concerned families.

Board members and staff also reiterated that weight-room equipment replacement and facility decisions are managed on a case-by-case, asset-preservation basis and that district staff seek to reuse suitable equipment rather than waste taxpayer dollars.

What’s next: The principal was identified as a point of contact and the superintendent said staff would provide direct follow-up with parents and community leaders to discuss facility specifications and the project timeline.