Prep and JC state basketball championship canceled over coronavirus pandemic
The Sierra Pacific girls basketball team will not get a chance to play for the state championship.
Neither will 27 other California schools.
The California Interscholastic Federation told participating schools through a conference call Thursday morning that the games will be canceled because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The teams were slated to play Friday and Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Golden Bears from Hanford were scheduled to play at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Sierra Pacific had planned to leave Friday morning.
Said Golden Bears coach Amy Bush: “I’m incredibly disappointed for my girls.”
The CIF said “this decision was made after careful deliberation and in the primary interest of protecting the health and safety of our member schools, fans, and most importantly, our student-athletes.”
JC state finals
The state junior college basketball tournament this weekend in Lemoore also has been canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The California Community College Athletic Association made the decision late Thursday morning.
Eight men’s and eight women’s teams had been scheduled to play in the state finals, including the Fresno City College and College of the Sequoias men’s basketball teams.
Earlier this week, the CCCAA said fans and media wouldn’t be allowed due to concerns of the COVID-19.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 9:32 AM.
