By Bobby Narang
The on-and-off nature of high school sports took another turn last week.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met November 19 to provide an update on Winter sports.
In the last few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc around the globe and, more locally, for high school student-athletes, especially for seniors who want clarity on their final seasons.
Yet, the IHSA, governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues in a battle over whether sports should be played find a viable way to appease all parties, and keep the student-athletes and coaches safe.
In the most recent announcement, the IHSA Board issued guidance to pause all Winter sports and activities, per an order by Pritzker.
“All IHSA sports and activities will cease by November 20 for what we hope is a short-term pause,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said. “Given the rising COVID-19 cases in our state and region, we support the governor’s mitigations and believe it is imperative for everyone in the state to do their part in following them so that we can return to high school sports participation as soon as possible.”
After a Fall period that included no State tournament or State meet competition due to COVID-19, the Winter sports season was scheduled to run from November 16 to February 13, 2021, with basketball games to be played starting November 30.
The recent news put a pause on the starting day, which already has led to a small group of transfers to out-of-state schools and prep schools by athletes.
Hinsdale Central sophomore guard Matas Buzelis, who was prepping for his first season on the varsity, said he will transfer to Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. as of November 20. Buzelis, one of the top sophomores in the State, had offers from the University of Illinois and Wake Forest.
Lake Forest Academy junior forward Danny Wolf announced early this month he was transferring to Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill, Mass..
At least 15 Illinois boys basketball players have transferred to out-of-state schools, including Batavia’s Kyle Neibch, who moved with his family and will attend Fort Mill (S.C.) High School.
The IHSA Board of Directors plans to meet December 2 to discuss the status of Winter sports, with the possibility the focus on the Winter season could be pushed back even further until the subsequent scheduled meeting December 14.
“Taking into account the current state mitigations, the Board believes that early to mid-December will be the most reasonable target to review the status of Winter IHSA sports and activities,” Anderson said.