Chester Basketball Could Play First Game Feb. 5
Phase 4 Status Would Trigger Play
The Chester Lady Yellowjackets basketball team began practicing this week as Randolph County moved into the tier 2 phase.
February 2, 2021
Boys basketball, girls basketball, football, volleyball, cheer, and dance have all confirmed to be back in the coming weeks. Fortunately, our region has dropped from tier 3 to tier 2, meaning low-risk sports can start practice immediately and higher-risk sports can start scrimmaging, as stated by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
Schedules were released Jan. 29 by Athletic Director Jeremy Blechle.
If Region 4 moves into phase 4 mitigation, the boys’ basketball team starts play Friday, Feb. 5, at Vienna. The first home game is Feb. 12 against Sesser-ValierIf The varsity girls’ basketball team opens play at Vienna Feb. 6. The first home game for the girls is Feb. 15 against Goreville.
Chester is the only Black Diamond Conference school in a region that is not in phase 4 mitigation.
Volleyball and football will begin playing in March. The football team will have the Gatorade and Soup Game March 13 and the first home game March 20 against Hamilton County.
The volleyball team begins play at home against Vienna on March 16.
Region 4, which includes Randolph County, is the only region currently in tier 2; all other areas of the state have moved to tier 1 or higher. But tier 2 does now allow contact days.
Basketball, cheer and dance have all begun practice. Football is doing non-contact activities this week, but scrimmages should begin Monday.
Basketball and football are both considered high-risk sports, while dance and cheer are considered low risk. Volleyball is medium risk.
In tier 2, high-risk activities are limited to practice. Low-risk activities can compete.
The IHSA approved the following schedule for the remainder of the school year:
Sport /Practices Start /Practice Dates Before Game/ State Series/ End Date
Boys/Girls Basketball/ ASAP /7 dates/ No State Series /March 13
Dance/ASAP /7 dates /Virtual (2/27 & 3/6) /March 13
Cheerleading /ASAP / 7 dates / Virtual (3/6 & 3/12) / March 13
Football/ March 3 /1st Game March 19 /No State Series /April 24
Girls Volleyball / March 8 / 7 dates / No State Series /April 24
Baseball/ April 5 /7 dates /TBD / June 19
Softball / April 5 / 7 dates / TBD / June 19
Boys/Girls Track & Field / April 5/ 7 dates / TBD / June 19