High school basketball: Huntley school board decides not to participate in winter season

The Huntley District 158 Board of Education advised on Thursday night that the high school not play basketball during the IHSA’s winter season, which is scheduled to run from Nov. 16 through Feb. 13.

Dr. Scott Rowe, D-158 superintendent, explained the situation regarding IHSA basketball to the board for its opinion on how to proceed. After about 15 minutes of discussion, the board agreed that the Huntley should follow the guidance of the Illinois Department of Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the district's insurer to not play basketball.

Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the IDPH had moved boys and girls basketball from a medium-risk sport to high-risk and that the season must be put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IHSA announced a day later that it would proceed with basketball as a winter sport, defying the governor and IHDP's order. The IDPH initially termed basketball "medium risk" in July, but changed that to "higher risk" last week.

Pritzker said last Thursday that basketball could be played during the IHSA’s spring season from Feb. 15 to May 1. The IHSA stated later that day it would remain with basketball as a winter sport.

Rowe brought before the board the concerns with playing basketball in the winter season and going against the IDPH guidelines.

“By going against the recommendation of a statewide expert organization we would be liable and we would be negligent,” Rowe said. “By willfully saying, ‘We’re going to ignore the state health officials would be negligible on our part and we would be liable.”

Before going to closed session, board members agreed that Huntley should not play basketball in the winter and hope that athletes might be able to play that sport in a spring season.