MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — At his Friday morning COVID press briefing, Governor Jim Justice announced that high school winter sports will not be permitted to start until January 11. He did not specify whether that date was to start games and competitions or to start practices. Justice added he will inquire about a 7-day preseason practice window as opposed to the usual 14 practices.
“We have tried with all in us to be able to support our athletic teams,” said Governor Justice. “We know it’s important.”
“From the standpoint of all our winter sports, we are moving all of our winter sports and we are not going to conduct any of our winter sports. They will all be postponed until January 11.”
— Brad McElhinny (@BradMcElhinny) November 13, 2020
Girls basketball teams began preseason practices this past Monday. Boys basketball and wrestling teams were set to do so on November 16. The swimming season began on November 11.
Girls and boys basketball state tournaments were canceled last winter, with the girls tournament being stopped 9 games into the 21-game event.
Justice added that the fall seasons still in play (volleyball, football and cheer) will be allowed to continue.