OHSAA postpones winter tournaments in wake of expanding coronavirus threat

In a press conference after the decision was made, OHSAA executive director Jerry Snodgrass said for now the basketball tournaments for boys and girls, wrestling and ice hockey could still be held at a later date but that the current state of the spread of the coronavirus made holding the events a bad idea.

“This decision though it may appear at the last minute is based on so many developing situations that occurred really in the last eight hours,” Snodgrass said. “As much as we want this opportunity for our kids and our schools and our communities, we have to look at the safety risks these mass gatherings create.”

The events were to be held in the presence of restricted crowds, a decision announced Tuesday.