PEORIA, Ill. — As many school districts around the state have been making their decisions whether or not to partake in basketball this winter, the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education Monday night decided against participating.
Illinois High School Association (IHSA) said at the end of October that each school could decide if they would like to participate in the season, as long as they followed guidelines set forth.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker sounded off on IHSA, saying basketball had been moved to a high-risk sport, which meant the season would have to be postponed until the spring.
Pritzker added that schools who do decide to participate in the season could face legal action.
Board member Dan Walther asked Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat how moving basketball would work logistically with football also being moved to the spring season.
“All of those things, I believe, is secondary,” said Kherat. “We have smart people around who have to put their heads together.
“I think if we put our heads together we can figure it out, and it’ll all work out.”
Terry Knapp made comments to the board concerned about students who are risking possible college scholarships not playing.
Walther voiced his support for postponing the season, saying the pandemic in the state and country is at a concerning level right now.
“I listened to Mr. Knapp and I understand the concern about the young lady that he talked about,” said Walther. “We also have to be concerned about that young lady’s grandmother.”
Kherat also raised the problem of having competition to play against if they went forward with a winter season.
“A number of districts in our conference have also decided [against playing],” said Kherat. “Who are you going to play against?”
She said not having competition makes it more complicated than just deciding, as a district, to play.
President Doug Shaw voiced support for postponing the season, saying it would be “irresponsible” to open the school up to a potential lawsuit by violating the IDPH and governor’s orders.
