CHAPEL HILL — The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, which announced Thursday morning that it will hold its state basketball championship games without fans, limiting attendance to essential staff and limited family members due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, has reversed its decision and has postponed the eight scheduled games, according to HighSchoolOT.com.
“This decision is not one we make lightly,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said in a statement regarding the initial decision to play the games but without fans. “We recognize that participating in a state championship game is often a once in a lifetime experience for our student-athletes, coaches their families and many in the community. However, the NCHSAA must do its part in providing leadership necessary to keep our students, communities and state as safe as possible from the rising threat of COVID-19.”
The eight championship games — four boys’ and four girls’ matchups — were scheduled to be played throughout the day Saturday at both Reynold’s Coliseum in Raleigh and the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.