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State Basketball Tournaments, No Deadline Yet

state tournaments postponement continues

It’s only been five days since the South Dakota High School Activities Association made the decision to postpone all six of its high school state basketball tournaments, including the state visual arts competition, and the future remains unsure.

In an interview on Monday with ESPN 99.1 in Sioux Falls, SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos said there’s no deadline yet, as far as making a decision to reschedule or cancel the state tournaments, but he did say they’re hoping to gain some clarity soon.

“I would anticipate in the next week to two we’ll have a better sense of that deadline, but we need to get our feet underneath us and see what this outbreak is going to do here,” said Swartos. “And see what further recommendations are going to be made in terms of public gatherings, school closures, and everything else. If it becomes unsustainable to do it, we’re going to make that call, but we’re leaving the door open right now.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed updated guidance suggesting that there be no gatherings of more than 50 people. Shortly thereafter, the White House released its own set of guidelines of avoiding groups of ten people or more for the next 15 days.

As it sits right now, all spring sports under the umbrella of the SDHSAA have been canceled through April 5th. On Monday, the South Dakota Board of Regents also announced that all of its state colleges will go to an online curriculum through April 5th as well.

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.