MSHSL to limit tournament attendance, cancel some 3rd-place and consolation games

The Minnesota State High School League is limiting the number of people at its tournament games and canceling some games beginning Friday due to COVID-19 concerns.

The league said Thursday that all state and section championship brackets for girls basketball, boys basketball and adapted floor hockey will be played.

However, consolation and third-place games for girls basketball and adapted floor hockey have been canceled.

Additionally, tournament attendance for all games will now be limited to participants, coaches, event staff, TV partners, credentialed media and a small number of school-approved spectators for each team.

MSHSL said, "It is critical that all attendees at tournaments follow the recommendations regarding personal hygiene and avoidance of contact with anyone who is experiencing respiratory complications or fever." Anyone not feeling well is urged to stay home and not attend tournament events.

The league said each school will receive information regarding the process of selecting designated spectators, and those chosen must present an ID and purchase a ticket to attend the games.

Anyone interested can also follow the state tournaments via social media or by streaming games for free on Channel 45TV, 45tv.com/prep45/ or through prepspotlight.tv.

"While the changes in our tournaments are unfortunate, we recognize that a collective community response is critical to supporting the health of our communities and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The MSHSL intends to do everything possible to allow participating students who have earned the opportunity to compete in these special tournaments to do so," Executive Director Erich Martens said in a statement. "We will continue to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, The Centers for Disease Control, and the State of Minnesota and will work with League member schools to finish this winter season in the best way possible. We appreciate the partnership with our venues who have gone above and beyond in preparing their venues with additional cleaning and appropriate disease prevention."

You can see the league’s full news release here.