When the pandemic caused the closure of schools, school sports were also halted. Even once school resumed the fate of winter sports remained uncertain. On Jan. 11, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice made several statements and issued some vital executive orders. Among the orders issued was one detailing the plan to begin winter school sports for the 2021 winter season. According to the executive order, teams will be allowed to begin practicing as early as Feb. 14 and games will be allowed to resume March 3.
In a normal year, winter sports would have begun in the fall of 2020; however, due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the state, the governor made the decision to push back the starting date.
With the new executive order, high schools will be allowed to begin practice for basketball, wrestling and swimming on Feb. 14, certainly a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift for high school athletes around the state.
Even though there was a severe delay in beginning the season, players will still be required to have at least 14 practices before being allowed to play in a game. Also, the state COVID-19 metrics map will continue to play a part in school sports.
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