Clarity in high school Winter sports is under way. We just do not know when it will arrive. Wrestling has been moved out of its traditional Winter role.
The next question is when basketball will be played. The question to be resolved is will basketball be moved to Spring, or, the newly-created Summer, end of May through July, all because of COVID-19, or, will the season for practice open with the initial plan of November 16?
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has not provided complete clarity, although indications are the traditional State tournament in March will not be planned, at least not yet.
Some schools will abide by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which has advised governor JB Pritzker to delay sports seasons. Certainly increases in COVID-19 play a role, especially with the onset of Winter when influenzas promote additional risks to good health.
Ultimately schools will choose their guidance. Many schools yield to opinions of the conference leaders. The 10-team Northeast Conference has voted to start their practices November 16 and play games starting November 30, which will be after the wonderful and traditional opening with Thanksgiving tournaments. That is just as well because fans would find their way to the tournaments, nearly all of which have been canceled this year. That leads to the question will any Christmas holiday tournaments be played? Likely few, or, none.
Schools in the Northeast Conference include Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora, Mooseheart, Parkview Academy in Yorkville, and two Elgin schools, Harvest Academy and Westminster Academy among the 10.
Perhaps part of the reason to play during the usual season is that postponing until Spring or Summer will provide conflicts for athletes in small schools who play more than one sport.
Choices are difficult and take planning and understanding. That is no longer easily accomplished.
• Northern Illinois University released its men’s basketball schedule: Three non-conference games, all at home against in-state teams, and 20 games against Mid-American Conference teams.