Basketball Declarations Due Thursday

At the start of this basketball season, the WPIAL announced it would host an open basketball tournament, allowing every team to participate.  This was an effort to mitigate COVID-19 impacts of unbalanced schedules and game cancellations. Member schools have to notify the League by 3 pm on Thursday if they are planning to participate. Over the weekend, WJPA surveyed Washington County athletic directors.  Today, Ringgold joined 11 other schools in the county, deciding to enter the boys and girls playoffs. The Bentworth boys and girls teams along with the Beth-Center girls have opted out of the League’s first open tournament since 1984. Beth-Center previously said that neither of its teams would advance but decided to enter the boys tournament. Playoff brackets will be assembled by the League and announced Tuesday evening with the first round starting as early as Feb. 27.