Postseason tournament games postponed indefinitely

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has postponed all postseason tournaments because of concerns over the novel coronavirus.

OHSAA executive director Jerry Snodgrass made the announcement March 12 as the Division II state girls basketball game between West Branch and Dayton Carroll were preparing to begin this year’s state tournament weekend.

Also postponed indefinitely were this weekend’s state wrestling tournament and state hockey tournament, as well as all regional boys basketball games. Next weekend’s state boys basketball tournament is also on hold.

Snodgrass said the term “postponed indefinitely” is different

than “cancelled,” leaving open the door to resuming the tournaments at a later date.

“To say ‘cancelled?’ I don’t want to say that yet,” said Snodgrass in a news conference at St. John Arena. “We know that’s on the table, but we don’t want to go forward with (that term) yet. But that is an option.”

Snodgrass announced on March 10 that the this weekend’s state tournaments, as well as regional boys basketball tournament and beyond, would proceed with limited spectators.

The OHSAA had placed a cap on spectators to four per participant in girls basketball, wrestling, ice hockey and boys basketball games for the remainder of the postseason.

The OHSAA’s announcement came less than 24 hours after the NBA suspended its season and college basketball conferences such as the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis and the Mid-American Conference tournament in Cleveland were canceled as precautionary measures to COVID-19.

“Our decision today is to postpone indefinitely,” Snodgrass said. “This decision may appear to be lastminute, but is based on so

many developing situations that have occurred in the last eight hours.

“As much as we want this opportunity for our kids, our schools and our communities, we HAVE to look at the safety aspect that these mass gatherings create.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the danger of mass gatherings on March 11, saying he would be issuing an executive order banning large crowds from gathering.

Snodgrass said he and the OHSAA have been taking the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health in their decision-making.

“Everything right now points to the spread of this is increased tremendously by mass gatherings,” Snodgrass said.

“We have one. We have many of them across the state. We have 630 wrestlers alone just participating in our state tournament. We have made the wise decision to postpone indefinitely.”

Snodgrass said he was going to meet with players and coaches from West Branch and Dayton Carroll, who were already warming up for their Division II state semifinal. Of those studentathletes who have had their seasons put on hold, Snodgrass said, “I can’t say that I know their exact emotions, but I know what they put into it.”