IHSA limiting attendance for boys basketball postseason, including the State Finals
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The Illinois High School Association announced Thursday that it will limit attendance at the remaining games in the IHSA Boys Basketball State Series, as well as at other IHSA events to reduce the potential spread of coronavirus.
According to a release from the IHSA, the decision was made after consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department. The class 1A and 2A state basketball tournaments for Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center this weekend.
Sixty spectators per participating school will be allowed in the arena for each game at this weekend’s class 1A and class 2A boys basketball state finals. The IHSA currently plans to invoke the 60-spectator per school limitation across all remaining basketball games this season, including sectionals and super-sectional rounds, its release stated.
Madison High School and Mater Dei Catholic High School will represent the metro-east beginning with the semifinals Friday. Collinsville and East St. Louis are still contenders to reach the 3A and 4A finals the weekend of March 20 and 21. Both are set to play in sectional championship games Friday.
“This was a difficult decision shaped by thoughtful deliberation set against a truly unprecedented backdrop,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “IHSA Basketball is America’s Original March Madness, and we recognize that this tournament is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the competing teams, communities and fans. Ultimately though, we have to put the health and safety of the students, along with the general public, ahead of the spectacle of the event. This is and remains a fluid situation. It is important that our member schools and fans understand that events outside any of our control could lead to further changes over the coming hours and days.”
The IHSA also announced that full refunds will be available for any tickets already purchased for the remaining contests.
The announcement comes a day after World Health Organization declared a pandemic. The NCAA soon after announced it will close the men’s basketball tournament to only the teams and limited staff. The National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer have suspended the remainder of their seasons as well.
About coronavirus
As of Thursday, no cases of coronovirus have been confirmed in southern Illinois or the metro-east. The nearest confirmed case is Ladue, Missouri.
For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for some parts of the population, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illnesses. More than 121,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 4,300 have died.
According to WHO, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend several actions that can be taken to prevent the spread. They include washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering your nose and mouth when coughing, avoiding people who are sick, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home from work if you don’t feel well.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:05 AM with the headline "IHSA limiting attendance for boys basketball postseason, including the State Finals."
