The Indiana High School Athletic Association announced Thursday afternoon that the boys’ state basketball tournament will continue as scheduled, but with limited fan entry due to the ongoing spread and concerns of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
“Our primary focus has been, and will continue to be health and safety of our students and supporters attending our events,” IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox said. “Given the recent and ongoing spread of the coronavirus and study of the available information surrounding this pandemic the IHSAA will conclude the boys’ basketball state tournament as scheduled with only essential staff and immediate family in attendance.”
For the remaining games, each participating school will be allotted only 75 complimentary tickets aside from the 12 dressed players and to include only essential personnel, coaches, administrative staff and immediate family of players.
Pre-bought tickets will be fully refunded.
“Patrons who have purchased advanced tickets from the 16 sites across the state may return those to the point of purchase for a refund,” Cox added.
The 75 admissions per school will be up to the participating school’s athletic director and other personnel, and is limited to coaches, support staff, and parents, grandparents, and siblings of competing student athletes.
In other measures taken, the principal and athletic director shall screen eligible individuals from each participating school for entrance into the facility, and host sites are encouraged to designate separate entrances for each school.
The IHSAA tournament is at the regional round stage beginning this Saturday, and the state finals will conclude as of right now with four games to played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 28. The state finals will be streamed on the IHSAA Champions Network, while regional and semi-state games will continue to be streamed at IHSAAtv.org and its affiliates as well as previously approved broadcast stations.
Locally, Covington will play Southwood at the Frankfort Class A Regional, while Parke Heritage is set to face Shenandoah at the Greenfield Central Class 2A Regional.
As of now, the Journal Review plans to staff the Frankfort regional with a reporter and photographer.
The Gymnastics State Finals at Ball State University on Saturday will also go on as scheduled, but without admittance to any fans. It will be broadcast on the IHSAA Champions Network.
This story will be updated as more information is made available.
IHSAA will leave spring sports up to each school
With spring sports contest start dates just a couple of weeks away, the IHSAA is leaving it up to each membered school if they want to hold those events.
“The regular season contest are totally up to the member schools whether they want to contest those or not,” Cox said.
Locally, the Indoor Sagamore Conference track and field meet at Wabash College scheduled for Friday has been canceled. There are no more scheduled athletic events in Montgomery or Fountain County until Monday, March 30 when local schools are expected to return from spring break.
