Kristian Ferrell
California's high school athletes have had a rough time over the past few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing cancellations of sports seasons and championships. In 2020, California became the 10th state to cancel its high school spring sports schedule, and in 2021, high school athletes sued Governor Gavin Newsom to reopen indoor sports programs. So, has high school basketball been cancelled in California?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2020-04-04 |
| Reason | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Sports Cancelled | Softball, baseball, swimming and diving, boys volleyball, track and field, boys golf, badminton, lacrosse, cheer, boys tennis, mountain biking, rugby, ice hockey, trap shooting |
| Sports Affected | Basketball |
| Status | Cancelled |
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What You'll Learn
High school athletes sue California's governor
In March 2021, a group of high school athletes in Southern California sued Governor Gavin Newsom over the statewide ban on indoor youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit, led by the same law firm that successfully fought to get high school and youth sports programs reopened in San Diego County, argued that the governor's youth sports rules violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The students claimed that college and professional athletes in California were permitted to compete indoors while high school athletes were prohibited from doing so unless in a "yellow tier" county, where the pandemic situation was least severe.
Five student athletes from Orange County—two volleyball players, a basketball player, a wrestler, and a cheerleader—filed a joint lawsuit against Newsom, seeking a temporary restraining order. They wanted to be allowed to compete under the same guidelines used by college and professional sports leagues. The students were represented by attorneys who had recently won a similar case in San Diego County, securing a restraining order against Newsom's indoor sports guidelines. The lawsuit was the first of many planned in Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside, and other counties, with the hashtag #LetThemPlay gaining traction.
Caleb Graham, a junior on Anaheim's Canyon High School basketball team, expressed his frustration with the governor's decision, stating that it was unfair to younger athletes who had been working hard during the quarantine. His father, Brad Graham, supported the "Let Them Play" movement, arguing that the governor lacked medical evidence to justify banning youth sports while allowing collegiate and professional sports to continue. The lawsuit came amid efforts to force Newsom into a recall election, with organizers claiming to have collected over 1.8 million signatures.
The students' lawsuit highlighted the impact of the ban on their opportunities and experiences, with Orange County sophomore Elodie Danet sharing her frustration at being unable to play volleyball while colleges continued to compete. The lawsuit also drew attention to the discrepancy between indoor and outdoor sports, as Newsom had recently given districts permission to reopen outdoor sports such as football and rugby with strict requirements, including weekly testing for student-athletes. The new guidelines allowed outdoor high-contact sports in counties with COVID-19 case rates at or below 14 per 100,000.
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COVID-19 pandemic causes cancellations
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on high school sports across the United States, including in California. In March 2020, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled all spring sports state championships, including track and field and the CIF state basketball championships. This decision was made in response to the rapidly growing COVID-19 crisis in California, with cases and deaths expected to rise in the coming months.
The CIF's executive director, Ron Nocetti, stated that the priority was the "ongoing health and safety" of everyone involved in education-based athletics. This marked the first time in the tournament's history that the basketball championships had been cancelled. The CIF also postponed its spring sports season, initially taking a wait-and-see approach before ultimately cancelling the remainder of the 2020 spring season. This included the cancellation of various spring sports playoffs and championship events.
The cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard for high school senior athletes, who were deprived of opportunities in their final school season. Indoor youth sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and rugby, were banned, while indoor college sports were allowed to continue. This discrepancy led to frustration among high school athletes and even lawsuits against California's governor, Gavin Newsom, demanding the reopening of indoor high school sports programs.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to high school sports in California, with the CIF making difficult decisions to prioritize the health and safety of students, coaches, and communities. These cancellations, while disappointing, were necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect the well-being of all involved.
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CIF cancels spring sports
On April 3, 2020, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced the cancellation of the spring sports postseason, effectively ending the entire spring sports season. This decision was made in response to the COVID-19 crisis and followed recommendations by Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond to cancel all events for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti expressed empathy for the student-athletes impacted by the cancellation, stating that health and safety were the top priority.
Spring sports in California high schools typically include a range of activities such as badminton, baseball, competitive sport cheerleading, boys golf, gymnastics, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, boys and girls swimming and diving, boys tennis, boys and girls track and field, and boys volleyball. The cancellation of the 2020 spring season marked only the second time in history that CIF state championship events had been cancelled, the first being during World War II.
The decision by the CIF was met with disappointment and heartbreak by students, coaches, and communities alike. Many seniors lost the opportunity to showcase their skills and represent their schools, with some expressing frustration at the perceived double standards in allowing indoor college sports while banning indoor youth sports. This led to a lawsuit by a group of Orange County high school athletes who sued Governor Newsom to reopen indoor high school sports programs, citing equal protection violations.
While the CIF cancellation only applied to the spring season, there was uncertainty about whether these decisions would continue to affect fall sports, particularly the CIF-SS' money-maker, football. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for the high school sports community, and the situation remains fluid as organizations navigate the balance between athletic competition and the health and safety of participants.
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California high school basketball championships cancelled
California's high school basketball championships were cancelled in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled all spring sports state championships, including the longest-running CIF state title event in track and field, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time since World War II that CIF state championship events had been cancelled. The CIF's executive director, Ron Nocetti, stated that their "top priority is everyone's ongoing health and safety".
In 2021, high school athletes sued California Governor Gavin Newsom for the right to play indoor sports, including basketball. The lawsuit was led by the same law firm that successfully fought to get high school and youth sports programs reopened in San Diego County. Athletes argued that it was unfair for indoor college sports to be allowed while indoor youth sports were banned. In response to the lawsuit, Governor Newsom gave districts permission to reopen outdoor sports such as football and rugby, with strict requirements.
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California high school sports cancellations in 2020
California's high school sports cancellations in 2020 were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body of California high school sports, announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2020 spring season, including state championships and spring sports playoffs. This decision was made in accordance with recommendations from Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, who advised schools to adopt distance learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. The CIF's executive director, Ron Nocetti, acknowledged the challenges of continuing the spring sports season with schools completely closed and social distancing guidelines in place.
The Coastal Mountain Conference (CMC) also voted to cancel all 2020-21 fall and winter sports, except for cross country. This decision was influenced by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the tiered public health restrictions in place. The CMC board of directors, consisting of athletic directors and principals, recognized the impact of cancellations on students, especially seniors, and expressed their commitment to providing a sports season for graduating seniors when possible.
The CIF's cancellations in 2020 included state championship events and spring sports playoffs. The last time CIF state championship events were cancelled was during World War II, specifically for the 1919 CIF state track meet due to the influenza outbreak and for boys' track-and-field during 1942-1945. In 2020, CIF basketball championships were supposed to be held in March, but the rising cases and deaths due to the Coronavirus crisis in California led to their cancellation.
The impact of these cancellations on high school athletes was significant, leading to lawsuits against Governor Newsom to reopen indoor high school sports programs. Athletes argued for their right to play, citing the allowance of indoor college sports and the lack of medical evidence to support the ban on youth sports. While outdoor sports like football and rugby were eventually reopened with strict requirements, the cancellations and delays caused frustration and disappointment among California's high school athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in 2020, high school basketball was cancelled in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) cancelled all spring sports state championships, including basketball, to prioritize the health and safety of students and staff.
Many students were frustrated and annoyed by the cancellations, feeling that their hard work during the quarantine had been for nothing. Some even sued Governor Gavin Newsom for the right to play indoor sports.
