(Updated) NHIAA suspends remainder of winter tournament games, events

(Update 10:25 a.m. March 13) The NHIAA has announced that all tournament games are suspended until further notice.

***Original story begins here***

The games will go on, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association has decided, for now.

After postponing all of Thursday’s winter sports tournament action due to COVID-19 pandemic, and after consulting information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and the New Hampshire Department of Eduction, the NHIAA will hold the rest of its scheduled games, with a few conditions.

Every participant in the event will be given four tickets to the games for use by immediate family members. Players, coaches, necessary staff and those with tickets will be the only ones allowed to attend. NHIAA passes will not be honored, however, media members will be able to cover the events.

“During these difficult times, the NHIAA is committed to allowing teams to finish out their seasons,” NHIAA executive director Jeffrey Collins said in a statement. “Our students have worked very hard and we owe this to them. Unfortunately, because of this escalating health issue, the NHIAA must limit the number of spectators who are able to attend. We request that anyone exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness refrain from attentind.

“Our fans and community support are an essential part of the high school experience. However, in light of the recommendations and the conditions existing in our country, we ask everyone’s patience, cooperation and understanding. Anyone who has purchased tickets online will receive a full refund.”

The Division I girls basketball semifinals and unified basketball semifinals, along with spirit championships, were to be held Thursday.

The girls basketball will be played Friday, with Londonderry and Goffstown playing at 6 p.m., followed by Bedford and Bishop Guertin at 8 p.m. at Exeter High School. The unified games will be held at the higher seed, with Exeter hosting Dover at 3:30 p.m. and Londonderry at Berlin at 4 p.m.

For the remainder of the girls basketball tournament schedule, go here.

For the boys basketball tournament schedule, go here.

For the girls and boys hockey tournament schedule, go here.