The Lake County Health Department brought the varsity boys basketball season on hold due to a reported case of COVID-19. Boys basketball team quickly went to quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus and observed all the Lake County Health protocols related to COVID-19.

Varsity boys basketball coach Brian Centella confirmed that they’ll be back to the court after a few weeks from quarantine. “We had a COVID issue on the team. We’re trying to follow protocol and be as safe as possible. We are going to be shut down until March 2,” said Centella.

Centella shared that the top most “priority is safety of all players, coaches and families,” and “following the Lake County Health Department’s policies.” School policies were also being followed to minimize the spread and exposure of the virus in the building.

In addition, he also made sure that his athletes are always in good physical and mental condition despite them being under quarantine. “We’re [going to] really work hard to find ways to stay in shape via Zoom to stay active. We can’t do anything together on the court. We’re having Zoom practices, and we’re [going to] just do workout videos to try to keep our cardio and conditioning,” said Centella.

Amarion Coleman, varsity boys basketball guard, also shared his own way of staying in shape as possible as he can while the option of playing on the court is still unavailable. “I have cardio machines at my house, there’s no other way. [The] best way to get in basketball shape is playing basketball and nobody is doing that,” said Coleman.

Zoel Martinez, varsity boys basketball forward, shared his opinion about the temporary cancellation of the season. “It’s terrible, but in the time that we are living in, we have to take serious precautions. We have little workouts that the team is doing together. I just can’t wait to get back at it on the 3rd,” said Martinez.

The boys team will be playing a home game this week against Grant Community High School on Mar. 4 and an away game on Mar. 6 versus Grayslake North Knights. Click the LINK to see scheduled dates. 

The end of winter sports season approaches fast. Two weeks of being shut down from the game will consume a big portion of the season specifically for the boys basketball team. 

Safety would always be the top priority in any kind of circumstances encountered. Centella looks forward to their remaining games of the season. “It was going to be a quick season. As soon as we can get back on the floor together, we are going to take advantage of whatever season we have left,” said Centella.

“We’re just trying to navigate the season, in the safest way possible, and at the same time get our kids back out on the court. That’s what we’re looking to do. We’re [going to] come to the gym, and we’re going to finish out the season,”– Brian Centella.