Section 2 announced its plans for a condensed schedule for sports labeled as high risk on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.

The winter sports season will be extended until March 13 to accommodate basketball, wrestling and hockey. The Fall 2 season for football, volleyball and competitive cheerleading will take place from March 7 through May 1. The spring sports season then kicks off on May 3 and continues through June 25. Baseball will start on April 28 because teams are required to have 10 practices before they can play.

Section 2’s announcement came on the heels of the New York State Department of Health’s announcement on Jan. 22 that high risk sports can begin practicing on Feb. 1. Games are contingent upon approval from the various county departments of health, according to NYSDOH guidance. Section 2 athletes must wear face coverings during practices and games, unless they receive approval from the school district not to wear one because they are unable to medically tolerate it. School districts must obtain and document a physician’s statement in the student-athlete’s medical record in order to approve the exemption. Coaches, athletic trainers and any student-athletes on the bench must wear face coverings at all times.

Teams can only play within Section 2. Schools cannot host any teams from outside of New York State or the contiguous region. Additionally, there will be no statewide championships played for winter or Fall 2 sports.

The Section 2 football, volleyball and cheerleading seasons were postponed from the fall due to the risks associated with possible COVID-19 transmission. Basketball, wrestling and hockey were pushed back from the start of the winter sports season. Currently, gymnastics, boys swimming and diving, and bowling are competing within Section 2.