Athletes competing in the high school sports of basketball, hockey and wrestling spent months in limbo wondering if or when the New York State Department of Health would eventually provide those three sports deemed high-risk winter activities the chance to begin.
On Jan. 22, a state of euphoria for athletes, coaches and the communities swept around the state upon receiving the news Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the NYSDOH would allow basketball, hockey and wrestling to begin practice on Feb. 1. The proviso to that announcement, however, is county health officials needed to first provide approval before teams could start.
What ensued over the next week involved leagues scurrying to develop schedules and then realizing each county ultimately would determine the structure, timing and constitutions of what would become of the Section II high-risk winter sports landscape.
Rensselaer County approved even though the seven-day coronavirus infection rate at the time of the decision was above the 4.0 percent threshold the majority of county health officials stated needed to be met before schools could allow teams to begin preparation. Montgomery County followed, allowing five schools to compete against only other schools within the county limits.
Thursday, a total of nine of the 11 counties with Section II schools inside its borders have permission to practice. Greene County inched closer to getting below the required 4.0 percent mark and Fulton County possesses the highest infection rate presently at 7.2 percent. Washington County, which registered at 4.5 percent Thursday, gave the go-ahead to begin practicing Thursday.
Here is a closer look at where each county stands:
Albany County: The county’s infection dipped below 4.0 percent Sunday and continues to drop, checking in Thursday at 3.0 percent (the fifth straight day below 4.0 percent). Albany and Bethlehem have decided not to compete in wrestling. Bishop Maginn will compete in boys’ basketball. Schools: Albany, Albany Academy, Albany Academy for Girls, Albany Leadership, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Bethlehem, Bishop Maginn, Christian Brothers Academy, Cohoes, Colonie, Green Tech, Guilderland, Heatly, Holy Names, Loudonville Christian, Ravena, Shaker, Voorheesville, Watervliet. Infection rate Thursday: 3.0 percent
Columbia County: Since the Jan. 22 announcement from the state came down, Columbia County has been one of the counties with the highest infection rates. That all changed Wednesday. Schools are looking to get approval to begin practicing. Germantown is determining what it will do. New Lebanon, which is merged with Berlin and competing in the Wasaren League, will not have the Mountaineers as a partner as the school opted not to compete this winter. Hawthorne Valley is not participating in any sports this scholastic year. Since this is only the second day being under 4.0 percent, the remainder of the school districts are making decisions on how they will move forward. Schools: Chatham, Germantown, Hawthorne Valley, Hudson, Ichabod Crane, New Lebanon, Taconic Hills. Infection rate Thursday: 3.7 percent
Fulton County: This county currently has the highest infection rate percentage in Section II. Johnstown has already bowed out of the equation, regardless if approval comes at a later date. Schools: Broadalbin-Perth, Gloversville, Johnstown, Mayfield, Northville. Infection rate Thursday: 7.2 percent
Greene County: This county has made significant strides toward reaching the threshold to play. The infection rate stood at 6.0 percent Feb. 4 and checked in at 4.2 percent Thursday. The schools in the county all compete in the Patroon Conference. Schools: Cairo-Durham, Catskill, Coxsackie-Athens, Greenville. Infection rate Thursday: 4.2 percent
Montgomery County: Schools: Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Fonda, Fort Plain, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville. Schools in the county are currently competing within its borders. Wednesday, Amsterdam and Fort Plain played, and Fonda took on Canajoharie in boys’ and girls’ basketball — the first games to be held this season. Infection rate Thursday: 6.1 percent
Rensselaer County: The first area county to approve high-risk winter sports has enjoyed eight consecutive days below 4.0 percent. Two schools, Hoosick Falls and Lansingburgh, bowed out of offering basketball and hockey this season. Berlin and Doane Stuart will not compete in basketball. The wrestling programs at Averill Park, Maple Hill and Tamarac have permission to compete in matches. Wednesday, Columbia received approval to practice Feb. 22 with the hopes of matches in March. Schools: Averill Park, Berlin, Catholic Central, Columbia, Doane Stuart, Emma Willard, Hoosic Valley, Hoosick Falls, La Salle Institute, Lansingburgh, Maple Hill, Rensselaer, Tamarac, Troy. Infection rate Thursday: 2.4 percent
Saratoga County: There was a great deal of consternation regarding what this county’s procedures ultimately would be, but Saratoga has now gone nine consecutive days at 4.0 percent or below. Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills both decided to proceed with wrestling. Corinth will only play basketball inside the county limits. Schools: Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills, Corinth, Galway, Mechanicville, Saratoga, Schuylerville, Shenendehowa, South Glens Falls, Stillwater, Waterford. Infection rate Thursday: 2.8 percent
Schenectady County: The infection rate inside the county has held steady in the low 3-percent area and teams are beginning to play basketball games this weekend. Schenectady is not offering wrestling this season. Schools: Bishop Gibbons, Duanesburg, Niskayuna, Mekeel Christian Academy, Mohonasen, Schalmont, Schenectady, Scotia. Infection rate Thursday: 3.3 percent
Schoharie County: This county has made a remarkable turnaround from where things stood two weeks. It now holds the lowest infection in the area. Schools: Cobleskill, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Sharon Springs. Infection rate Thursday: 2.1 percent
Warren County: Before the infection rate was acceptable for county officials to allow competition, Glens Falls decided not to proceed. That changed this week as the Indians will compete. Queensbury, however, is out as the schools’ board of education voted 5-4 Tuesday against proceeding. Lake George and Warrensburg both decided not to compete in wrestling this winter. Schools: Glens Falls, Hadley-Luzerne, Lake George, North Warren, Queensbury, Warrensburg. Infection rate Thursday: 3.0 percent
Washington County: The county has been stuck between 4.2 and 4.9 percent for nine consecutive days. The 4.5 percent rating Thursday is the lowest mark since Feb. 3. County officials Thursday decided to allow practices to begin, provided schools approve. Granville will not participate even the rates drop below 4.0 percent. Schools: Argyle, Cambridge, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Granville, Greenwich, Hartford, Hudson Falls, Salem, Whitehall. Infection rate Thursday: 4.5 percent
— to www.timesunion.com
