The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced March 12 that it will significantly limit attendance at the remaining games in the 2020 IHSA Boys Basketball State series, as well as at other IHSA events, to preemptively reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes after consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department, the latter of whom made the recommendation that no more than 60 spectators per school be allowed in the arena for each contest 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.
“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.”
Games impacted by this change included the 2020 IHSA Class 1A/2A Boys Basketball State Finals March 13-14, and the remaining contests at the Class 3A and Class 4A sectional, super-sectional, and State final levels. IHSA State Series’ in Debate, Drama & Group Interpretation, and Scholastic Bowl will operate under a similar premise, with those events being limited to competing students, coaches and essential meet personnel.
Full refunds will be available for any tickets all ready purchased for the remaining contests.
A schedule of all remaining IHSA State Series winter events is listed below. The Class 1A & 2 Boys Basketball State Finals will be televised and streamed (click here for viewing info).
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson went into greater detail on the reasons behind the decision in a video announcement earlier in the day. Watch the video below:
Remaining IHSA Winter State series schedule:
• Class 1A/2A Boys Basketball State Finals Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at the Peoria Civic Center.
-Class 3A Sectional Semifinal March 12.
• Class 3A and Class 4A Sectional Finals on March 13 and 14.
• Scholastic Bowl Sectionals March 14.
• Class 3A and Class 4A Super-Sectionals March 17.
• Scholastic Bowl State Finals March 20.
• Class 3A and Class 4A State Finals March 20 and 21.
• Debate State Finals March 20 and 21.
• Drama/Group Interpretation Sectionals March 20 and 21.
• Drama/Group Interpretation State Finals March 27 and 28.
The following ancillary events at the Class 1A/2A Boys Basketball State Finals have been impacted:
• The Class 1A & 2A Finals of the Country Financial Three-Point Showdown have been postponed.
• The March Madness Experience in the adjacent Peoria Civic Center exhibit halls will not open this weekend.
• Saturday’s Unified State Basketball Tournament held in conjunction with Special Olympics Illinois has been canceled.
• The state basketball welcome dinners have been canceled.
• The Wheelchair Basketball State Tournament March 20 and 21 has been canceled.
• The Learning From the Legends Clinic March 21 has been canceled.
• The Student Section Showdown winner announcement has been postponed.
• All-State Team and IESA champion recognition will not occur.
— Illinois High School Association