The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, or most commonly known as the WIAA, has put on a statewide basketball tournament since 1920. The storied tradition of this tournament has been entertaining and amazing Wisconsinites for a century. However, the 2020 Wisconsin boys and girls state tournament has been canceled due to the current health epidemic going on across the world; the coronavirus.
The tournament was scheduled for the weekend of March 19-21. The WIAA announced a week before the tournament that there will be a cancellation of all remaining games of the state girls’ basketball tournament, boys’ basketball sectional finals, and the state tournament. This cancelation comes with a lot of missed opportunities and memories for many of the top basketball programs across the state.
“I want the student-athletes and their coaches to know that your school leaders, the WIAA Executive Staff, all our committees and the Board of Control have done everything imaginable to try to provide and preserve these opportunities for you,” Executive Director for the WIAA Dave Anderson said. “However, we want and need to be responsible in helping the global and state efforts to stem the tide and spread of this virus.”
The tournament was set to take place in the state’s capital at the University of Wisconsin arena, the Kohl Center. This weekend of basketball is a goal for many athletes across the state, not just for the opportunity to play for a state championship, but an opportunity to etch your name in Wisconsin basketball lore. The tournament cancelation ushers in a lot of disappointment from student-athletes across the states.
“I feel bad for all my fellow seniors. This is a terrible way to end our student athletic career if you’re not the greatest player in the world,” Dominican High School senior Justin Daniels said. “To work all this time for just an opportunity to play in Madison in front of all those people just to have it taken away is a sick situation in itself.”
This cancelation of play isn’t just a stoppage of games, but an abrupt halt to many Wisconsin student-athlete dreams. Many great players, teams, and coaches have made their names known off their involvement in this tournament. At a young age, many Wisconsin athletes are exposed to these players and great moments in the states sports history and dream to be involved themselves. However, this year as the WIAA Basketball Tournament crept up on 100 years of basketball excellence, it has all been halted.
Of course, there is always next year but many senior athletes across the state are left with a huge question mark over their high school athletic careers. When thinking back to their high school experience the question will always be: What could’ve been?
