IHSA Board decides to allow boys, girls basketball season to begin in November
The 2020-21 Illinois High School boys and girls basketball season will go on as planned and will begin in November.
The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors on Wednesday announced it will allow boys and girls basketball to begin practices — per the IHSA’s “Return to Activities 2.0” plan — Nov. 16.
The IHSA announcement Wednesday comes less than 24 hours after Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced new guidelines which put a temporary halt to competitive basketball, hockey and wrestling events.
“What we’re listening to is the guidance that’s given by national organizations, the guidance that’s given by physicians, particularly those that treat children and of course the experts in sports medicine,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “And so, what I would suggest is if there’s a difference of opinion, I prefer to error on the side of health and safety. I think that’s where we’ve intended for all our guidance to fall.”
But the IHSA has decided games can begin Nov. 30 within an Illinois COVID Region or with other conference teams. Masks will be worn by all players, coaches, and officials during play. Whether or not fans will be allowed to attend games will be discussed at a meeting in November, according to the IHSA release.
Boys and girls basketball teams will follow team limitations allowing a maximum of 31 games. It will be each local school’s decision to decide if their teams may participate following the guidelines developed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Service.
The IHSA board released the following statement regarding the basketball action:
“The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors made the decision today to continue with the IHSA basketball season as scheduled in 2020-21.
In August, the Board slated basketball to take place from November to February based on the Illinois Department of Public Health assigning a medium risk level to the sport. The IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee offered additional mitigations, such as masks during play and social distancing on benches, that the SMAC believed would allow basketball to be played safely.”
The IHSA board also decided to move wrestling from the winter season to the 2021 summer season, which will run from April 19-June 26.
The announcement the season will begin as scheduled was exactly what most coaches in the state wanted to hear.
Earlier this fall, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) issued a statewide survey to boys and girls coaches around the state concerning the 2020-21 season. Of the nearly 800 coaches who participated, 95 percent thought the season should start on time.
Althoff, Collinsville coaches pleased with decision
On Wednesday, those coaches got their wish.
“This is great news. The IHSA gets bashed a lot but today they started the process to reclaim their autonomy,” Althoff boys coach Greg Leib said. “We are appreciative they processed the information the IBCA shared with them. We will take this win today. I hope it lasts till March.”
Collinsville coach Darin Lee, who team was denied a chance at a state title when the IHSA canceled the state tournament series because of COVID-19 in March, echoed Leib’s thoughts.
“I applaud the IHSA Board of Directors for standing up for our Illinois Student Athletes,” Lee said. “I am a parent as well as a coach, and we all should have the right to choose.”
Maroons coach pleased, but notes situation could change
Belleville West coach Alex Schobert, although pleased with the IHSA’s decision, realizes the situation is fluid and that guidelines must continue to be followed.
“While I am very excited about the positive news from the IHSA today, as it provides our kids the much-needed opportunity to compete and get back on the court, I also realize this is a complex, fluid situation,’’ Schobert said. “Again, I am thankful that the IHSA decided to do what is, in my opinion, in the best interest for thousands of kids across our state, but our season still seems to be dependent upon further guidance at the local level.
“While our players’ health and safety are our first priority in our program, I do strongly believe we can play basketball safely this year under certain protocols, and our school district has seen widespread success thus far in holding athletic practices and in-person learning under these protocols regarding mitigation of the virus.’’
Additional sports approved
Also on Wednesday, the board approved the IHSA ‘s winter sport guidance for all low risk sports, which includes boys swimming & diving, cheerleading, dance, boys & girls bowling, and girls gymnastics.
These sports will be conducted from Nov. 16 to Feb. 13. The mitigating guidance for each sport will be posted on the IHSA’s COVID-19 Resource page Thursday. The IHSA Board will review spectator and group gatherings for all winter sports at a future meeting in November.
This story was originally published October 28, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
