Admins prep for return of indoor sports
A state of California court settlement allowing for the return of indoor high school sports is being well received by Humboldt County coaches and administrators.
The settlement out of a San Diego County court will allow for all indoor prep sports to be played under health tier protocols similar to those used at professional and collegiate levels provided the respective counties have an adjusted case rate below 14 cases per 100,000 residents. Coaches and competitors will be required to wear facial coverings while on the bench or sidelines but not during play.
Athletes and coaching staff in counties with case rates between 7 and 14 per 100,000 residents will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, similar to requirements for athletes in high-contact outdoor sports.
As reported by the San Jose Mercury news, attorney Stephen C. Grebing, who handled the legal case on behalf of two San Diego prep football players, said an unspecified company had agreed to provide free testing for all indoor sports participants throughout California. Players and coaches can also schedule testing though public means and their insurance providers.
While outdoor team and solo sports were previously given the go ahead last month, indoor sports were not permitted to return to action by California authorities until Thursday’s court settlement.
Fortuna High School basketball coach Norm Sotomayor shared with the Times-Standard expectations surrounding a possible basketball season have had many ups and downs. Thursday’s news was well received.
“(It) has been a roller coaster ride, to say the least,” he said. “One day we are on and planning to move forward, and the next we are on hold. My staff is staying upbeat and trying to keep our troops positive and motivated.”
In all, Sotomayor and his student athletes are excited to have the possibility of having a basketball season this year, with Fortuna student athletes being very excited to return to competition.
“Our student athletes are chomping at the bit to get in the gym and compete. We hope to start some skill workouts soon, as long as we remain in the Red Tier,” the Fortuna hoops coach said. “The COVID protocols are stringent and tedious, but a small price to pay to get our student athletes a season they desire and deserve. “
Eureka High athletics director Kristina Christiansen said that students are hopeful and excited about the news and that many teams will be engaging in skill and conditioning work.
However, she is concerned about scheduling and testing requirements which can put delays on competition and rules barring students from being allowed to be part of more than one team at a time, as overlapping seasons are expected to be a problem with many sports being crammed through the end of the academic year.
“Due to the nature of our small schools in the (Humboldt-Del Norte League), most athletes play multiple sports. As of right now, over 18 counties are allowing athletes to participate in at least two cohorts, and most of those counties are in purple. So it is my hope that that can be evaluated for the sake of our student athletes,” she said.
Athletic directors from across the H-DNL are scheduled to meet Monday to decide when the now-permitted sports can return.