South Central Reporter

Illinois High School Association's defiance of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's attempts late last month to put off the state's upcoming high school basketball season over COVID-19 concerns has left a Breese-based coach with some lingering doubts but few.

"I have mixed feelings about the IHSA ignoring the governor's order, but overall am pleased that they elected to do so," Central Community High School head Girls Basketball Coach, and Physical Education teacher, Nathan Rueter told South Central Reporter

"I think the IHSA has done their due diligence and presented a strong case for playing," said Ruter

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker | illinois.gov

Rueter also noted that states bordering Illinois have been "able to successfully conduct their fall sports seasons without major outbreaks taking place."

"Taking those two things into consideration, it seems logical that we should be able to play as long as we adhere to the guidelines that they have provided in an effort to ensure a safe environment for all participants," said Rueter. "I think it's completely ridiculous that the governor refused to provide an explanation for his decision.  Furthermore, postponing everything to the spring will simply not work from a logistical standpoint."

Central Community High School has about 600 students, fairly small for a high school in Illinois.  

"We simply don't have enough athletes to play if they are forced to choose one or the other," said Rueter. 

"This might be a great plan for the schools of 1,500 students and above, but it will most certainly not work in a 1A, 2A, or even a small 3A school.  All of this being said, I am very aware that there is risk that is involved, and would hate to see one of my players get sick as a result of coming into contact with an infected player on an opposing team," said Rueter.  

Pritzker, with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health that had just moved basketball from the "medium risk" category to "higher risk" in its winter safety guidelines, announced high school basketball and wrestling in the state would be "on hold."

The day after Pritzker's announcement, IHSA's Board of Directors voted in a special meeting to proceed with the basketball season as scheduled. The board also set schedules for other sports, including "low risk sports" such as swimming and diving, cheerleading, bowling and gymnastics, according to an IHSA announcement.

The IHSA made those decisions following guidance from its Sport Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and boys and girls basketball will begin practice on Nov. 26, according to the announcement.

Play can begin "within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference" on Nov. 30, the announcement said.

Teams will follow limitations that allow a maximum of 31 games and masks will be worn by players, coaches, and officials during play, according to the IHSA announcement.

"It will become a local school decision to determine if a school will allow their basketball teams to participate following the guidelines developed by the SMAC," the IHSA announcement said.

Since the announcement, fewer than 34 high schools are certain their basketball seasons will start this month, according to Chicago Sun-Times sources.

Central Community High School is certain, Rueter said.

"We are planning to play," he said. "We have the full support of our school board and administration."