Decisions on coronavirus-related postponements still up to schools and leagues, CIF official says

Boys basketball teams competed in the Tustin Classic last week. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

CIF officials on Monday re-itered an earlier policy that leaves decisions on postponements of high school sporting events up to schools and school districts in light of rising coronavirus cases throughout the state and country.

League play is scheduled to start this week for many Orange County girls and boys basketball teams.

“As it has been from the onset of the pandemic, individual schools/school districts/private schools will determine whether their teams are able to compete in athletics, following the guidelines for youth sports mandated by the California Department of Public Health and local county health departments,” said Thom Simmons, assistant CIF commissioner in a statement Monday.

“Schools and leagues will have to make the ultimate decisions on cancellations/postponements of league contests and how those will affect league standings/ guaranteed entries into the CIF Southern Section championships.”

Pacific Coast League basketball games are scheduled to begin on Tuesday and no cancellations have been reported as of Tuesday.

“At this time if we receive any new direction from OCHCA, we will implement it, but for the time being we will continue to follow our existing protocols,” said Mark Cunningham, Irvine Unified School District Athletic Director.

One postponement for Tuesday has been confirmed.

The Empire League boys basketball opener between Tustin and Cypress at Cypress has been postponed, according to Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer and a tweet from Cypress. No reason was given.

OC Sports Zone will provide updates and asks that athletic directors contact us if there are any cancellations by sending an email to timburt@ocsportszone.com so we can share the information. We will also publicize upcoming games this week.

DEVELOPMENTS:

—-Beckman boys basketball coach John Goins said the Patriots returned to practice Monday. Beckman opened the Tustin Classic with just seven players, due to COVID protocol, according to Goins. Beckman (6-12) is scheduled to play at Woodbridge (7-11) Tuesday.

“We had the whole army at practice today so hopefully there are no last minute surprises,” Goins said.

—Wednesday’s scheduled boys basketball game between Huntington Beach and Edison has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Edison, according to posts on Twitter from both programs.

—San Clemente boys basketball coach Marc Popovich said Monday night his team should be able to return to action in the league opener Wednesday at Trabuco Hills. The Tritons missed the last two games of the Tustin Classic due to COVID protocol.

—Santa Ana boys basketball coach Fareed ElMasry confirmed Monday that the Calvary Chapel-Santa Ana Orange Coast League opener will be played as scheduled Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Santa Ana. Masks will be required for fans, he said.

This story will be updated with any new developments

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com