Why is Missouri still playing high school basketball during the coronavirus outbreak?

High school student-athletes in Missouri deserve a chance to play for a state championship. But at what expense?

While nearly all of the sports world has shut down, Missouri high school state basketball tournament games are inexplicably continuing, raising questions about the wisdom of that decision and the potential risks that could result.

At this moment of uncertainty, taking every precaution to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus is more important than playing even the biggest game of the season.

Two people in Missouri have contracted COVID-19, including a “presumptive positive” case in Springfield, where this week’s Show-Me Showdown championship tournament is being played. Across the country, the number of coronavirus cases is multiplying rapidly, totaling at least 1,875 in the United States as of Friday afternoon. More than 40 people with the virus have died in this country.

It is against that backdrop that every major sports league in the country has wisely canceled, postponed or suspended its season to contain the virus. As disappointing as it is for athletes at every level, there will be no March Madness, no Masters Tournament, no opening day in baseball, at least in the immediate future.

So, why has the Missouri State High School Activities Association decided to play on? The decision could be a dangerous proposition that ultimately puts the health of high school athletes and their coaches at risk.

And lest anyone believe that young, healthy athletes can’t contract or spread coronavirus, two players from the Utah Jazz professional basketball team tested positive for the virus this week, prompting the NBA to suspend operations indefinitely.

In Kansas, the state’s high school activities association made the right decision Thursday, calling a halt to its tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

“Given the escalating concerns regarding COVID-19, the best decision for the safety of the student-athletes and spectators was to cancel the remainder of this championship tournament,” officials wrote on Twitter. “The KSHSAA regrets the lost opportunity for teams and players that have worked to achieve their goals.”

As of Friday, the show was still scheduled to go on in Missouri for the Class 1-3 championships in Springfield and Class 4-5 quarterfinal action in various venues around the state, including four games Saturday at Blue Springs South High School.

The decision to play in Springfield will be an indefensible one if even a single person’s health is compromised as a result, particularly after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson confirmed the state’s second “presumptive positive” coronavirus case in Springfield.

Thankfully, the games will not be played in front of large crowds. Each school participating in the state championship tournament was given 150 wristbands to distribute to its fan base. Only essential school personnel were allowed access to the arena.

The same essential personnel procedure applies to quarterfinal games. Only 60 people per school will be allowed inside the arena, including players, coaches and administrators.

“The situation is fluid, ” said Jason Fowler, activities director at Staley High School in the North Kansas City School District.

This year, Staley’s boys basketball team won its first conference and district titles in program history. They were scheduled to play Raymore-Peculiar High School on Saturday.

Of course, many players want to continue their season. To see it come to an abrupt end after putting in all the hard work and preparation for the championship tournament must feel like a gut punch.

But is the risk of spreading the virus among players, coaches, officials and others worth the reward of clinching a spot in the large school state tournament next weekend?

“It’s sad,” Fowler said of fan restrictions. “You want to enjoy this with the school community and fans. That’s the tough part. But we will take the lead and follow the directions of our governing body, which is MSHSAA.”

In a statement. Kerwin Urhnan, MSHSAA Executive Director, said the organization understands limiting spectators creates additional hurdles for schools and their fans, and he apologized for the inconvenience.

Urhnan’s decision to continue to play games could have consequences that go far beyond inconveniencing fans.

State officials must err on the side of caution and do what’s best for student-athletes, their families, fans and the entire community. Urhnan and the MSHSAA board of directors should cancel the rest of the season to protect public health.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 2:26 PM.