The La Salle-Peru High School administration waited until after the IHSA board meeting Wednesday to decide the fate of the school’s basketball season.
With no further guidance offered by the IHSA, the L-P administration decided Thursday to put the season on hold.
“Until there is a definitive calendar agreed upon by the IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) and the IHSA, basketball activities are on hold,” L-P athletic director Dan Le said.
L-P’s sports deemed lower risk by the IDPH — bowling, boys swimming, cheerleading an dance — won’t start as scheduled Monday either as the school has paused in-person activities through Nov. 29.
“The district continues to monitor the 14-day rolling positivity rate to make determinations about school-related activities,” Le said.
Le said there is no set number the positivity rate must reach in order to resume in-person activities.
“There has not been a number defined because of how fluid it is,” Le said.
While L-P made its decision on basketball, there are still several other schools waiting to make the call on the sport.
Fieldcrest athletic director Jason Chaplin said the school hasn’t made a decision but has a board meeting Wednesday.
Until a decision is made, Fieldcrest is allowing its basketball teams to hold non-contact practices.
“We were hoping it would have been decided for us, but the IHSA didn’t really chance their stance,” Chaplin said.
Other schools still waiting to decide are Princeton, Bureau Valley, DePue, LaMoille and Earlville.
Princeton has suspended extracurricular activities through Nov. 30. PHS has a board meeting Nov. 23.
Bureau Valley athletic director Brad Bickett said the school is leaning toward not playing, but the matter is on the agenda for Monday’s board meeting.
DePue has a board meeting on Wednesday, while Earlville has basketball on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.
Putnam County athletic director Chris Newsome said superintendent Carl Carlson will recommend following the IDPH guidelines and not playing at Monday’s board meeting.
Henry-Senachwine athletic director Matt Emmons said the school’s administration will follow the IDPH guidelines but the ultimate decision will be made at Wednesday’s board meeting.
Schools that have already decided not to play games are St. Bede, Hall and Mendota.