Coronavirus: MIAA Scrambles To Finish Basketball, Hockey Playoffs

Mansfield MA

11 March, 2020

1:32 PM

Description

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is scrambling to find ways for high school teams to finish winter state tournaments in front of their fans this week, as many colleges close their campuses to classes and some high schools restrict large gatherings, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The state ice hockey championships slated for Sunday at TD Garden are still scheduled, but the MIAA is looking for a new location for basketball championship games originally scheduled for Worcester State this weekend. "In accordance with the recommendations from Governor (Charlie) Baker to mitigate COVID-19, we encourage participants, spectators, workers and community members to practice good personal hygiene," the MIAA said in a statement ahead of Tuesday's games. "We support the recommendation for the elderly and those with underlying health issues to stay away from large crowds." (More on the coronavirus can be found in this fact sheet from the CDC.) The plan to play on has not come without challenges. Wednesday night's state semifinal basketball games involving Maynard and Monson girls teams and Sutton and Sabis boys had to be postponed. The original location of Worcester State was dropped early Wednesday owing to fears about bringing large numbers of fans to campus, but later moved back to the school under the condition that no fans be allowed at the games. The games were briefly moved to American International College in Springfield with Maynard/Monson at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sutton/Sabis boys to follow at 7:30, then later Wednesday night were moved back to Worcester State with the spectator ban after AIC decided against allowing fans on campus as well. @MIAA033 BB update #3...games for Mar 12 will be held @WorcesterState due to a change in policy at AIC. At this time #nofans will be allowed. Info going to participating schools 530p-Maynard v Monson GD4 730p-Sutton v Sabis BD3@KBrouillard1— MIAA (@MIAA033) March 12, 2020 Worcester State hosted games on Tuesday, but games slated for Wednesday and Saturday were not allowed to include fans. MIAA officials said Wednesday afternoon that alternative locations appropriate for students, staff and community members to attend were being sought for the championship games. The state championship basketball games scheduled for Worcester State are now listed as "date and site to be determined." Western New England College is the other site being used for state semifinal games this week. The Ivy League and New England Small College Athletic Conference both on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the entire spring season for all athletic teams. Many sports such as lacrosse were already well into their respective seasons. The NCAA announced late Wednesday afternoon that it will not allow fans at any of its upcoming championship events — including the Division 1 men's and women's basketball tournaments often referred to as "March Madness" — and that while "we recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families" the NCAA said it is conducting the championships "consistent with current information." (Don't miss updates about precautions in Patchtown as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.) The high school state semifinal and championship schedule as of Wednesday afternoon: BOYS BASKETBALL Division 1 State Championship Lynn English vs Springfield Central, TBA Division 2 State Semifinals Wednesday, March 11 Whitman-Hanson vs. Beverly, at TD Garden, 7:15 p.m. Wayland vs. Taconic, at WNEC, 7:30 p.m. Division 3 State Semifinals Wednesday, March 11 St. Mary's of Lynn vs. Burke, at TD Garden, 3:45 p.m. Thursday, March 12 Sabis vs. Sutton, at Worcester State (no fans allowed), 7:30 p.m. Division 4 State Championship Abington vs. Hopedale, TBA GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 1 State Championship Andover vs. Franklin, TBA Division 2 State Semifinals Wednesday, March 11 North Reading vs. Foxborough, at TD Garden, 5:30 p.m. Medway vs. Taconic, at WNEC, 5:30 p.m. Division 3 State Semifinals Wednesday, March 11 St. Mary's vs. Rockland, at TD Garden, 2 p.m. State Championship St. Mary's/Rockland vs. Hoosac, TBA Division 4 State Semifinals Thursday, March 12 Maynard vs. Monson, at Worcester State (no fans allowed), 5:30 p.m. State Championships Maynard/Monson vs. Cathedral BOYS ICE HOCKEY Division 1A State Championship Sunday, March 15 Arlington vs. Pope Francis/St. John's Prep, at TD Garden, 3:15 p.m. Division 1 State Championship Sunday, March 15 Belmont vs. Walpole, at TD Garden, 1:15 p.m. Division 2 State Championship Sunday, March 15 Canton vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, at TD Garden, 7:45 p.m. Division 3 State Championship Sunday, March 15 Hanover/Lowell vs. Longmeadow, 11 a.m. GIRLS HOCKEY Division 1 State Championship Sunday, March 15 Austin Prep vs. Woburn, at TD Garden, 9 a.m. Division 2 State Championship Sunday, March 15 Wellesley vs. Canton, 5:30 p.m. Patch Related Coverage: MA Coronavirus: More Than 1,000 Have Been Subject To Quarantine What is a state of emergency and what does it mean for me?