By Jose Negron
A day before a number of teams were scheduled to begin their winter sports seasons, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that all high school sports will be suspended for three weeks beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, teams will not be permitted to practice or compete until the order expires Jan. 4.
“The surge in cases among school-age children increases the risk that asymptomatic participants will spread the virus at a game or practice in the locker room, while traveling to and from events, or at team meals, parties or other gatherings,” Wolf’s administration said in a statement, which also noted that the Pennsylvania Principals Association recommended a delay to the start of the winter sports season Wednesday.
Despite the recommendation, the PIAA did not vote to delay the season.
“I understand the decision, but I’m disappointed for all the players,” Elizabeth Forward boys basketball coach Matt Loftis said. “Basketball is a lifeline for a lot of these kids and is really their only sense of normalcy right now.
“I’ve already received a lot of text messages from our guys stating their disappointment. It’s out of our hands at this point. We will be ready to go when they let us back in the gym.”
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