Girls Basketball: Downers Grove North varsity girls basketball in COVID-19 quarantine protocol

Downers Grove North’s varsity girls basketball team had its two games last weekend canceled, and will miss its next three games as well as it has been quarantined for COVID-19.

The Trojans learned of a positive case in the varsity program after its practice last Thursday. Downers Grove North had its game Friday at Oak Park-River Forest and Saturday against York canceled. Games this week at Hinsdale South, York and Lyons have also been canceled.

Downers Grove North coach Stephan Bolt thinks that they can return to practice March 1, with the hope that they can resume playing March 2 at Hinsdale Central.

The Trojans last played Feb. 16, a 44-28 win over Downers Grove South.

“It’s really demoralizing for the kids,” Bolt said. “They looked forward to playing so much and then on a moment’s notice you have to stop. Hopefully next week we can get going again. A week and a half off, get back in gear, it’s just a weird year.”

Since Bolt is technically not a close contact, he is able to work with Downers Grove North’s lower level teams. He worked with the program’s freshman team on Monday. The sophomore and freshman teams are able to compete as they weren’t close contacts.

Bolt said he might post workouts for the varsity team to do, but even that is limited.

“There’s only so many places to go in the house,” Bolt said. “I said to look up high-intensity workouts, do something to track your cardio or journal. It’s impossible to do pods. You can’t really play basketball or get ready to play if you don’t function together.”

Downers Grove North has scheduled games remaining against Hinsdale Central March 2, Proviso West March 5, Lyons March 9 and Glenbard West March 12. The West Suburban Conference has scheduled an end of season event, or conference tournament, for the final two weekends.

Bolt said he has reached out to Addison Trail athletic director Matt Thompson, who schedules basketball for the conference, about possible reschedules – but is uncertain if that is possible.

“It will depend on a lot,” Bolt said. “Availability, space to have a game. We’ll figure it out toward the end of the week.”