Streator, Fieldcrest high schools waiting to start basketball practice

While Streator and Fieldcrest high schools have not formally announced they would not play basketball during the Illinois High School Association's still-planned — at least for now — winter sports season, both schools have decided to hold off beginning basketball practice until after the IHSA's scheduled board meeting this coming Thursday.

Fieldcrest and Streator both did not open hoops practice Monday on the IHSA's first day of practice, choosing instead to await any announcements which may spin out of Thursday's IHSA board meeting, members of their athletic departments confirmed.

The IHSA announced last week it was formally inviting representatives from Gov. JB Pritzker’s Office and the Illinois Department of Public Health to attend its meeting Thursday.

The two sides continue to hold conflicting opinions on the scheduled start of Illinois high school basketball season during the current novel coronavirus uptick, with the IHSA clinging to its end-of-November start to the season despite the IDPH's recommendation the season be pushed back until spring and numerous schools electing not to play according to the IHSA's current schedule as long as the IDPH objects.

Currently, Ottawa, St. Bede and Marquette high schools are among those which have announced they will not play basketball in the current climate. Both Ottawa and La Salle-Peru high schools have halted all winter sports practices until after Thanksgiving break due to the rising COVID-19 numbers.