Ohio Governor: High Schools Will Proceed ‘So Far’

November 18, 2020 / Athletic AdministrationBasketballHockeySwimmingWrestling
During a coronavirus briefing earlier this week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he remains open to allowing high school sports to continue for the winter season.

Additionally, he added that no action is being taken ‘so far’ to postpone basketball, wrestling, and other indoor sports in the Buckeye State, according to a report from Cleveland.com.

“We’ll see,” DeWine said in the briefing. “So far, winter sports will proceed with a limit on the number of spectators.”

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Photo: Wesley Sykes / Great American Media Services

Girls basketball can begin tryouts and practice on November 20 while the boys basketball season begins on November 25. Other sports like wrestling within the next month, Cleveland.com reported.

The conclusion of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) fall sports season — consisting mostly of outdoor sports — occurs from Nov. 20-22. To get the fall sports season in the OHSAA shortened the fall sports season in conjunction with the governor’s office in anticipation of another COVID-19 spike, according to Cleveland.com.

Like the governor, the OHSAA has remained steadfast that it intends to begin the winter sports, but Cleveland.com stated that the organization sent out a survey to athletic directors around the state suggests it could soon readjust that position. Some contingency plans that are being considered include: beginning the season as scheduled, starting in January with a condensed season, postpone the season until it can be played without interruption.

Two bordering states, Michigan and West Virginia, have already delayed the start of their winter sports seasons, Cleveland.com reported. Michigan’s stoppage, as of Sunday, will be until at least December 8. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Friday that winter sports cannot be played until January 11 next year. Some Indiana schools are postponing games, while Kentucky and Pennsylvania have yet to make a final decision or are on track to start. Two states over, Illinois’ athletic association plans to meet Thursday and discuss its options.