High School basketball has begun around our area and the Illinois Department of Health has limited spectators at each game to a cap of 50. All players, coaches and bench personnel must wear masks when taking part in the game and on the bench, as well. The IDPH has also stated that fans must be at least 30 feet from the playing boundaries, and/or players, and must also wear a mask during the game.
The 30 foot guideline has been a problem for smaller gymnasiums in our area, as some of our local high school gymnasiums do not have enough space to accommodate spectators within that distance. Monmouth-Roseville’s high school and junior high gyms has been just a few of the sites that have been severely affected by that rule. United High School’s newer Field house, Knoxville High School’s new gymnasium and Abingdon-Avon’s high school gym are all big enough to accommodate home team fans. All three of those school districts have said they will allow at least some fans in the stands during the basketball season.
Yesterday, IHSA executive director Craig Anderson told member schools that cheerleaders and media will not count toward the 50-person spectator limit currently placed upon prep basketball contests. The IDPH considers both parties “lower-priority” participants, and the IHSA is leaving it up to schools to decide whether or not they’ll be permitted at games. Sideline spirit groups won’t be required to stay 30 feet from athletes, as spectators are, and that distance rule could be exempted for media members such as photographers and TV reporters.
On the AM 1330 WRAM Morning Show this morning, Abingdon-Avon Athletic Director Reid Kelso shared what his school district would allow during Tornado boys and girls basketball games and that he was happy that the Tornado cheerleaders would get to perform during those games as well.
For the entire interview with Kelso, go to Sports Podcast section at https://977wmoi.com/sports-podcasts/?doing_wp_cron=1612464226.3285980224609375000000
Our first broadcast on the PCSN will be in Abingdon on Friday night as Brent Dugan and I will bring you coverage of the Abingdon-Avon Tornadoes against the Macomb Bombers in boys basketball. The pregame show is scheduled to start at 7:15 on Sunny 97.7 WMOI and online at 977wmoi.com, but that time could be adjusted due to sanitizing between the JV and Varsity games.
