Springdale boys forfeit in Class 2A

No. 4 seed withdraws from postseason despite some objections after four players test positive for COVID-19

COVID- 19 already has forced several teams to withdraw from the WPIAL basketball playoffs.

The latest was among the highest- seeded teams in their bracket.

The Springdale boys, seeded fourth in Class 2A, forfeited its first- round game Wednesday with Winchester Thurston due to COVID protocols.

Due to the forfeit, Winchester Thurston, the No. 13 seed, advanced Saturday to the quarterfinals.

Springdale coach Aaron Epps said he is upset about the stance the school has taken on the issue. Four of his players have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks, but Epps said the rest of the team has since tested negative. A number of teams during the season when a player has tested positive have shut down for 10 days. But there are some that have not shut down and instead have had infected players quarantine. Epps said that at Springdale the period is 10 days. The

Dynamos have not taken the court since Feb. 24. Epps said he is shaking his head because this is happening despite the fact that the school district is moving to in- person learning next week.

“It’s difficult because I’m feeling two different ways,” Epps said. “I get where the school is coming from. Health and safety is first and foremost. But my stance is we have enough players to play the game, and everyone would be back Saturday. How can these kids go to school but not be able to play basketball for an hour? Kids aren’t getting COVID from playing basketball. I’ll be honest, I feel like there are too many contradictory things going on. I feel that even if we have five players to play the game, we should play it.”

Epps added: “Schools are afraid of lawsuits. It’s easy — have kids sign a waiver. If you want your kid to play, sign it.”

Springdale athletic director Pete Simpson could not be reached for comment.

Springdale was 12-7 and finished second in Section 1 behind No. 1 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. The Dynamos feature senior point guard Demitri Fritch, one of the top players in Class 2A. Epps said his team is healthier than it had been since the first week of the season.

“I feel bad for the seniors,” Epps said. “We finally had our whole team against Apollo-Ridge [last week], and we looked really good.

This was one of the best teams Springdale has ever had. We had a shot. I hate that the kids won’t get an opportunity to lay it on the line.”

Just a few days into the postseason, five teams already have been forced to forfeit opening-round games because of COVID problems. The others were the Avella boys, Propel Braddock Hills boys, New Castle girls and Ambridge girls.