INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana High School Athletic Association has made attendance policy changes to its boys basketball postseason tournament and state gymnastics meet in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox announced during a press conference Thursday that Saturday’s state gymnastics finals will not allow any spectators and that a limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the regional, semi-state, and state finals for boys basketball.
Gymnasts from both Columbus North and Columbus East are participating in the state gymnastics meet this weekend.
The Bull Dogs are one of nine full teams competing in the state finals, which begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ball State’s Worthen Arena. Columbus East junior Taylen Lane will also be competing as an individual on the vault and beam.
Cox said that the IHSAA is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of not allowing gatherings of more than 250 people. He said that when you account for all of the athletes, coaches, and judges, it does not allow for fans to attend.
No Bartholomew County teams remain in the basketball tournament series.
Cox said that each school with a team left will be limited to 75 tickets for fans and essential staff. He said that the fan tickets will be limited to immediate family, including parents, grandparents, and siblings. He said that the principal and athletic director from each school will screen each individual that will get into the facility.
He said that tickets will be refunded to those that have purchased them for both basketball and gymnastics.
The gymnastics meet will be streamed on IHSAAtv.org. Cox said the IHSAA is doing its best to make sure all remaining boys basketball games will also be streamed.
