The wait is almost over for winter sports. Barring any more outbreaks of COVID-19 at Jefferson High School, wrestling will see its first action this Saturday, January 2, when the team travels to Choteau. Coach Troy Humphrey has good numbers this year, and judging from the performance at the Purple/Gold warm-up it is a scrappy team that will compete very well.
The action in Choteau starts at 1:00 pm. Two parents/fans per suited wrestler will be allowed to watch. This is the standard this year for away matches. Practice this week will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The girls and boys basketball teams also have big numbers out, and both boast speed and experience. The JV and Varsity teams will launch their seasons on January 2, as well, when they host Choteau.
There will be a lot of changes in who and how many will be able to watch games. Until the pandemic eases, only four parents/fans will be allowed per suited player; visiting Choteau will be allowed two per player.
Here is how it will work Saturday. The JV boys will play at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Varsity boys at 2:30. After the boys’ games, all spectators will be required to exit the building, and the gym will be cleaned and sanitized. Then, parents/fans of suited girls players will be allowed in to watch. JV girls will play at 4:30 p.m., then Varsity girls at 6:00.
Masks and social distancing will be required of all fans. Fans will be separated, with JHS fans seating on the north side of the gym and the visiting fans seated on the south side.
This will be the policy for the season unless the virus shows a big drop. There will be different rules when the C and JV teams play in the South gym: Those parents/fans will be required to enter and exit the South gym from the entrance off Main Street. Those fans will not be allowed into the North gym unless they have suited players playing Varsity.
Froshmore teams, a mix of the C and JV squads, will host East Helena on Monday, January 4. Boys will start at 5:00 p.m. and girls at 6:30. The same fan policies will apply.
Keep in mind that Jefferson High is doing its very best to keep its kids playing and healthy. If that does not happen, the seasons could be canceled or fans may not be allowed.
