High School Winter Championships Sports Canceled

All remaining high school winter championships for basketball, bowling and ice hockey have been postponed the NYSPHSAA has announced.

The decision comes after a string of announcements Wednesday and Thursday that championship games would continue as planned, but without spectators in attendance.

However, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated Thursday that the state was banning gatherings of 500 people or more to limit the spread of coronavirus.

“It was my goal to complete the winter championships on schedule. It has become increasingly more difficult to host these championship events with the number of challenges that have been presented,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas said in a statement. “I also have concerns as the Executive Director and a parent, that students will be participating in an event under circumstances that are not conducive to a quality and beneficial participation experience.”

No make-up date for the events has been announced. The NYSPHSAA has also not decided on the status of spring sports, which are scheduled to begin play later this month. Young said he did not want to speculate on whether spring athletics would continue as planned.

“Everything is happening at such a rapid pace,” Young said. “Our athletic department and athletic departments around the state will evaluate the information. We’ve just gotta take it day by day.”