New Pal AD clarifies confusion over photo
In the article, “Dragons Find a Way: Despite pandemic, New Palestine football players refuse to sit idle,” published on April 7 in the Daily Reporter, photos of players working out in large groups raised concerns from readers.
The accompanying photos published with the article were provided to the Daily Reporter and were originally taken the week of March 16 prior to New Palestine’s spring break session and in accordance to the then-most recent CDC guidelines and recommendations.
New Palestine athletics director Al Cooper released the following statement regarding the matter:
“Our coaches have not encouraged student-athletes to gather or work out in groups. While we are aware that some parents have allowed their children to gather in small groups, these gatherings are student-led and are not encouraged, condoned, or required by any of our coaches. Photos of large gatherings of student-athletes featured in this article were taken prior to Governor Holcomb’s statewide group restrictions and have not continued since those restrictions went into effect.
“While our teams can’t gather during this difficult time, our student-athletes’ physical, mental, and emotional health continues to be the top priority of our athletic staff. Our coaches are committed to providing wellness workouts for student-athletes to complete on their own in the same manner as our teachers would communicate lesson plans during this time of e-learning. Our corporation has asked all students and staff, including coaches and student-athletes, to practice social distancing, stay at home, and follow local, state, and federal guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
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Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series canceled
The Indiana-Kentucky All-Star basketball games have been canceled for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from both states announced Thursday.
With governmental leadership in both states implementing stay-at-home mandates, schools being closed for the remainder of the academic year and group gatherings limited to 10 people are fewer through late May, Indiana game director Mike Broughton and Kentucky game director Scott Chalk jointly agreed that the All-Star series would not be contested in 2020.
The cancellation includes the Indiana-Kentucky Senior Games (that were to be on June 5 at Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, Ky., and June 6 at Southport Fieldhouse in Indianapolis) and the Indiana-Kentucky Junior Games (that were to be on June 1 at Floyd Central High School).
On the Indiana side only, the cancellation also includes the Indiana Junior-Senior Games (that were to be on June 3, site not yet announced) and the All-Star Shootout for current high school teams (that was to be on June 6 at Ben Davis High School).
It is planned that all aspects of the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series will resume in 2021. Tentative dates for the 2021 All-Star games will be June 4 in Kentucky and June 5 at Southport Fieldhouse.
