‘It puts the fire back in the belly’ Coaches, players react to news that all sports can play in regions that reach Phase 4

Morton' Jesus Perez (3) dribbles the ball as Morton defeated York 60-55 in a IHSA regional final boys varsity basketball game on Friday March 6, in Cicero, Ill.

Early Friday afternoon, Downers Grove North boys basketball coach James Thomas started noticing a string of text messages hitting his cell phone.

Meanwhile, Downers Grove North football coach Joe Horeni also heard the positive news. He immediately sought out a group of his assistant coaches.

Around the same time, Morton senior point guard Jesus Perez, a two-sport star athlete, gained an additional source of motivation.

Throughout the state, on one of the coldest days of the new calendar year, the positive vibes from Friday’s stunning turn of events regarding the restart of high school sports in Illinois provided a warm and cozy feeling for coaches and players.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike gave local athletes a dose of good news by announcing that games could be played within conferences and regions in all sports – including higher-risk sports like basketball and wrestling – in regions that have reached Phase 4 of the state’s coronavirus mitigations.

Still, at this time, only three areas in the state are currently in Phase 4 — with none in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs. Region 8, which includes DuPage County, and Region 10, suburban Cook County, both could reach Tier 1 in the next week.

“When my coach gave me the news that we may be having a season, that motivated me even more to be able to have the opportunity for another chance to get my name out there,” Perez said. “That’s very exciting.”

For weeks, many coaches throughout the state have speculated that basketball would be canceled for this season.

“It’s unbelievable,” Thomas said. “I’ve had so many people reach out to me, from parents, past parents who still support our school, athletic directors, coaches and friends. It puts the fire back in the belly. I didn’t see this coming.

“I think it gives everyone hope again, or that idea of hopefulness again. Last week, it was the complete opposite. I can just tell from the amount of text messages that I’ve gotten since 3:30 p.m. that there’s a little bit of positive energy.”

Horeni said Friday’s news was a victory for his entire program, including his coaches which range from 27 to 71 years old. Per the IHSA, football contact days that will be permitted in some regions starting on Monday must follow the guidelines regarding live contact and tackling to the ground.

“If you would told me this morning that his news would’ve come out, I would told you that you are crazy, and I’m an optimist,” Horeni said. “I found out after one of my classes, and I ran into the driver’s education room where some of our coaches were. It was exciting. It’s good news, but we’re not yet in Phase 4.”

The new IDPH guidelines provided a jolt of excitement and energy for coaches and athletes, but many questions still remain. Basketball teams, according to the IHSA, must conduct 12 days of practice prior to their first game. Meanwhile, fall, spring and summer sports can begin contact days on Monday based on their region and approval of their district.

Either way, many coaches viewed today’s startling news as a step in the right direction. Plus, masks must be worn in practices or competitions and social distancing should be adhered to for bench players and game personnel, according to Friday’s IHSA release.

“We’ve been through such a rollercoaster of emotions the last couple of months that I’ve not got too high or too low, but today’s news feels different,” Nazareth girls basketball coach Ed Stritzel said. “It’s something tangible. I have a feeling with the way the wind is blowing, that we will have some type of season.

“The kids are excited. They were calling and were ready to play immediately, so were the parents. It’s good news, but we’re probably a couple of weeks away at least.”

Thomas said his school has tentative plans for the boys and basketball programs to start practices on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. next week. Finding gym time, Thomas said, is difficult with so many sports cobbled together. He credited a strong senior group for helping keep the younger kids focused and ready for the possible restart of basketball.

“We will see if we have contact or no contact per our district,” Thomas said. “We probably won’t go all three hours, but run it like a combine. We’re going to test them, so it should be fun.”

Riverside-Brookfield standout senior guard Brenna Loftus expressed excitement over the possibility of suiting up for the Bulldogs this season.

“I’m extremely excited that we’re going to be having a season this year, and that we’re given a chance to play,” Loftus said. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the court to play competitively. We’re definitely going to work our hardest to make sure we get the most out of it.”