A week ago, high school athletes in the Twin States were approaching the climax of their winter seasons. Then in a tumultuous five days brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sporting world came to a standstill.
And now, in Monday news releases, the Vermont Principals Association and New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association each announced their spring sports seasons are postponed until at least early next month.
The organizations also laid out their respective plans for the conclusion of the winter sports playoffs.
The decisions follow Sunday announcements from both New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott closing all K-12 schools until at least early April.
Here’s what both state athletic associations announced on Monday:
The VPA announced it would tentatively schedule the start of the spring sports season on April 6.
To accommodate the shortened spring, the requirement for a minimum number of games to qualify for postseason play will be waived and the number of practices needed to be eligible to play will be reduced.
Pitchers and catchers will report at the same time as other teammates for baseball.
The VPA also recommends that schools eliminate their non-league schedules and play as many league games as possible.
“Any changes in guidance from the Governor’s Office and/or the Vermont Department of Health will be reviewed ahead of April 6th to determine if the season can get underway, or we need to further postpone, or if cancellation becomes necessary,” the release read. “We join the voices of student athletes around the state in our shared desire to get the season underway as soon as possible, and we will follow whatever steps are deemed necessary for the betterment of public health.”
In a separate statement released simultaneously, the VPA also announced it would be crowning co-champions to close out the remainder of all four girls basketball tournaments, after it canceled all winter tournament games Friday afternoon. All teams will still be awarded trophies and medals.
“While not the ideal way to finish a season, we wish to recognize the dedication, effort, and now sacrifice that these teams have shown,” the release stated.
The Mid Vermont Christian team will be awarded the Division IV state title along with Proctor. It is the first team championship in school history for the Eagles, who welcomed four players from Sharon Academy this season.
“It’s just bittersweet,” said MVCS coach Chris Goodwin, whose squad was on a five-game winning streak entering the D-IV championship game. “We got to go to Barre (Auditorium), we got to beat the top-ranked team (West Rutland.) We just wanted to finish it off with a championship game. Can’t go back now into the past. Maybe we’ll have some more incentive to play well next year.
“I really feel for those teams in D-III who didn’t even get to play a game at Barre. It seemed inconsistent that kids were going to school, but they couldn’t get in a gym and play a game. That’s what was the most frustrating for us.”
The D-III tournament was canceled in the semifinal stage, meaning Oxbow, Thetford, Windsor and Lake Region are quad-champions.
“I think they’re (VPA) trying to appease everyone,” said Yellowjackets coach Bruce Mackay, whose team ends the season 19-3. “It still leaves a very empty feeling. It’s not like going on the floor and winning it. That’s what it’s all about.”
The NHIAA is hoping to start spring sport practices on April 13 with games slated for April 27, but both are tentative dates due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To make sure the postseason aligns with the end of the academic year, all postseason play for spring sports will be an open tournament format.
Similar to the VPA, the NHIAA announced in the spring sports release that it had officially canceled the remainder of winter sports playoffs.
The organization will make a decision later this week how champions will be crowned. Whether it chooses the regular-season champion or co-champions is unknown.
“We recognize that this decision will be a disappointment to our student-athletes, coaches, and fans,” the release stated. “Given the uncertain nature of the weeks to come, we feel that there is no alternative. The NHIAA shares in the frustrations of our student-athletes, yet we hope this decision will allow them to move forward and adjust to the new normal of their educational experience for the next several weeks.”
The mandate brings a close to the Lebanon girls basketball team’s season, which was set to play in the D-II championship game against Spaulding. The Raiders knocked off top-seeded Hanover in the semifinal round to reach the title game.
“Like I told them (players) if it saves one person that we love from getting severely ill, then it will all be worth it,” said Lebanon coach Tim Kehoe, who was seeking his sixth championship. “Big picture-wise, it’s the right call. That doesn’t make it any easier for the kids, though.
“When the announcement came down we had to talk to them about it. It was tough; lot of tears. It’s hard to tell a senior that there’s no finality, no final game. Hard to tell those kids that.”
The Lebanon and Hanover boys basketball teams were set to play in road games in the D-II quarterfinals last Friday, but will now have to somehow move on from the season.
“If you were calling me a week ago today and said to me your season isn’t going to make it to the end, I think all of us would’ve disagreed with you,” Marauders coach Tim Winslow said. “This happened so quickly. That’s what makes it harder for everybody to absorb. Because it’s so quick, it still sinking in. To not practice today, not go to school — it’s been a challenge.”
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com.