Mid-Northern Middle School Athletic Conference will not have basketball, volleyball this school year

The Mid-Northern Middle School Athletic Conference has decided to not reschedule its boys basketball and girls volleyball seasons for the 2020-21 school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mid-Northern administrative team cited several schools having issues with gym availability, limited transportation options and a low number of available officials as reasons for the decision.

The Mid-Northern is comprised of 11 schools: Cambridge Lakes, Fox River Grove, Genoa-Kingston, Harrison Harvard, Hiawatha, Marengo, North Boone, Prairie Grove, Riley and Westminster Christian.

IHSA schools just returned to play in basketball last week with an abbreviated five-week season.

“The member schools of the Mid-Northern Conference fully understand the important role that participation in athletics plays in the development of of young students. Student-athletes are exposed to incredibly important life lessons, including the spirit of competition, teamwork and camaraderie while developing relationships with their teammates and members of their respective coaching staffs. Although devastated that we cannot currently provide these particular activities for our students, it was deemed that it was our only viable option during these unprecedented and unique circumstances,” the Mid-Northern statement read.

The administrative team will continue to reassess the feasible options available and remains hopeful that it can develop opportunities for the student-athletes later this spring. It is awaiting guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding recommendations, modifications and limitations for several other potential sports.”