Dec. 17 Blair basketball games canceled due to COVID-19 cases

All Dec. 17 Blair basketball games were canceled after at least three players tested positive for COVID-19 on the Blair boys varsity team. This is the second consecutive week that Blair basketball games have been canceled.

Both girls and boys JV basketball teams were scheduled to play at 5:30 p.m., while both varsity games were scheduled for tip-off at 7 p.m. The boys were expecting to play at home, while the girls games were anticipated to be at Walter Johnson.

At 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 17, Blair administrators sent an email to the Blair community, officially canceling the games. "Based on previous guidance from the Maryland Department of Health and MCPS Athletics, all basketball games are canceled for this evening. This includes both the girls’ and boys’ junior varsity and varsity matches. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your continued understanding as we navigate through the winter season during the COVID Pandemic," the statement said.

High jump shot

Photo: Players watch in anticipation as a blazer lines up a shot.

Players watch in anticipation as a blazer lines up a shot. Photo courtesy of Derek Mu.

This announcement came on the heels of updated guidance regarding extracurriculars and athletics issued by MCPS Friday afternoon. In the announcement, MCPS suspended all non-athletic extracurriculars outside of the school day through Jan. 7. The announcement also included new COVID precautions within athletics. "Beginning Monday, Dec. 20, if a team has three or more active positive COVID-19 cases, all team activities must be paused for 14 days," the announcement said.

In the most recent round of testing, three Blazers on the boys varsity basketball team tested positive, but this number is expected to climb. As of now, Blair's basketball program has been shut down until Monday, when players will be required to get additional testing. Blair has not yet made an announcement citing the recent guidelines from MCPS.

The boys varsity team (0-1) has had their past two contests canceled because of COVID concerns. They lost their first game of the season at home against Seneca Valley.

Blair boys varsity basketball's next scheduled home game is on Dec. 22 at 7:15 p.m. against Einstein.