Start of basketball, wrestling seasons on hold

Not surprisingly the New York State Public High School Athletic Association is putting a hold on the start of the winter sports season for basketball and wrestling. Swimming will be allowed to begin practicing on November 30 when the winter sports season is scheduled to begin.

Basketball and wrestling have been designated as “High Risk” sports while swimming is in the low -moderate risk category.

NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas stated today: “At this time authorization has not been provided for high risk sports to begin play. The high risk sports start date continues to be examined and will be revised if needed but is contingent upon authorization from state officials.”

However even the swim season may not be normal. Locally Niagara-Orleans League officials are looking at holding a season of “virtual” boys and girls swim meets. The “virtual” meets, matching Albion and Medina for example, would have each school swimming at its own pool and then the times of the teams in each event would be compared to determine the winner of the meet.

Currently, the fall season’s low-moderate risk sports which have included soccer, field hockey, golf and cross-country, are wrapping up their schedules.

The so-called “High Risk” fall sports of football, volleyball and competitive cheerleading, have been postponed and are scheduled to begin play on March 1.