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UPDATED: Area schools set restrictions on attendance at winter sports events
Winter sports are underway in the area and while the whistles are being blown, not everyone will be able to hear them.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools are putting restrictions on the number of spectators attending games and enforcing some sort of masking policy.
SIKESTON
Sikeston athletic director Andy McGill said all Sikeston events will have a maximum capacity of 50% at all Sikeston Public Schools locations. All spectators are expected to wear a mask at all times while attending any events on any SPS campus. Spectators are also asked to distance from others and avoid sitting on the tape marking the bleachers to space out seats in the facility.
Tickets are only available online and to access tickets visit sa.sikestonr6.org and click on the game you wish to attend.
All spectators will be required to have a ticket to enter the game and coaches will receive a list of “player passcodes” for families to buy up to four tickets per event. Family members will have the opportunity to buy tickets one week before the contest.
General admission tickets will go on sale 48 hours prior to the event and tickets will be sold at the gate only if there are remaining seats available.
All Sikeston High School students will be required to purchase a ticket before entering the contest, including the Red Peppers and Bleacher Bums. Students who purchase a student section ticket must sit in the student section. Student section tickets are limited and if they sell out there will not be any more sold.
Employees are also required to have a ticket to enter. SPS will honor one ticket per employee, however, they will be limited due to the 50% capacity rule. Employees can call the athletic office and receive a “passcode” and instructions on how to get the ticket if seats are available.
Visitor seating will be behind the scorer’s table for both basketball and wrestling. For basketball events, Sikeston fans are asked not to sit behind the Sikeston bench as the junior varsity or varsity players will sit there when not playing. Sikeston fans will be seated on the east side bleachers across from the scorer’s table for both basketball and wrestling.
The varsity basketball games and some additional events will be livestreamed at the SPS-TV Sikeston High School YouTube Channel.
CHARLESTON
Charleston will allow 200 home spectators and 100 visitor spectators at boys and girls basketball games.
Passes were sold to the home crowd that get them into every boys and girls game and 100 tickets will be sent to visiting teams for them to distribute. No one will be admitted without a pass or visitor ticket. Visitors will present their ticket at the gate and pay on game day.
A mask mandate is also in place and all spectators are required to wear a mask the entire time they are in the gym. Concessions will be limited and spectators are asked to try and socially distance themselves. There is also one section of bleachers that will not be pulled out in order to keep the players distanced and away from fans.
All games will be streamed live on Facebook at Charleston Bluejays Live Stream.
“We hate that we have to limit spectators but we hope that people understand,” said Charleston athletic director Michael Minner. “We are trying to do what is best for our kids to be able to participate in activities. We are taking recommendations from the CDC and trying to put together a plan that works for us. We want things to be normal, but that’s not the case. So we have to make some changes to allow us to play and give our kids what we feel they deserve.”
KELLY
Kelly Athletic Director Melanie Heuring said there will be limited seating at basketball games and a ticket is required to get into the game.
“We are only allowing four tickets per athlete at this time for our home fans,” Heuring said. “They will be sent home with the athletes for distribution to their families.
Visiting schools will have tickets emailed to them to distribute as well. There will be 100 tickets sent to visiting schools for boys games or a maximum of four per athlete for girls games.
“We are recommending fans to wear a mask at entry and while visiting the concession stand and restrooms,” Heuring said. “Home fans will sit in the two sections closest to the stage and visiting fans will sit in the two sections closest to the concession stand.”
Heuring added families are encouraged to sit together and social distance when possible.
The games will be also be live streamed. The girls games can be found by searching “Lady Hawks Network” on YouTube and the boys games can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsUg5XNmbOGLDEUJWYpdafQ
PORTAGEVILLE
Tickets will be required to enter both boys and girls basketball games at Portageville High School.
Each participant (player/cheerleader) will be given four tickets to distribute as they see fit. No additional tickets will be provided since it is an indoor event and seating is limited.
Masks will be required for all Portageville students in attendance that has a ticket to enter and home fans will sit on the north side of the gym behind the benches.
Visiting teams will be provided two tickets per player and coach based on the MSHSAA roster.
Players, coaches, bus driver and administrator on duty will not need a ticket to enter. An additional 12 tickets will be sent to the visiting school to hand out at their discretion and will take the place of a pass list. Visiting team fans are asked to sit on the south bleachers.
Concession stands will be open.
ORAN
Joey Bickings, Oran athletic director, said all home games will have a maximum capacity of 25%.
Tickets will be dispersed to each player in advance of each game and all spectators will be required to have a ticket to enter.
All spectators are encouraged to wear a mask while attending home athletic events. Fans are also asked to social distance from one another.
Visitor seating will be behind the scorers table and team benches. The two rows directly behind the benches will be reserved for players and home fans will sit on the bleachers across from the scorer's table.
Games will be live-streamed on the Oran Athletics YouTube page. Fans can view games from their computer, smartphone, tablet or other wi-fi device.
Bickings said "the guidelines may be amended at any time in order to provide the safest atmosphere for our players, fans and community."
EAST PRAIRIE
On Friday, East Prairie sold season passes to the community.
There were 50 passes sold for girls basketball games and 50 sold for boys basketball.
Each student participant within the activity will still be allotted four tickets to distribute per game.
NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL
Justin Poley, principal at New Madrid County Central High School, said seating at NMCC High School home events will be limited to 500 fans. Opposing teams will have access one week prior to the event via NMCC's online ticketing system to purchase up to 125 tickets. All other tickets will be made available to fans through NMCC's online ticket system.
Parents of players will be able to purchase tickets one week prior to the event, as well. Tickets for the general public can be purchased 48-hours before the event. No one will be admitted without a ticket. Tickets will be accepted digitally or printed.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.nmceaglenation.com/tickets
Masks are expected to be worn when entering the school and should remain on until they have exited the building. The bleachers have been marked to help maintain social distancing. NMCC officials ask that fans not sit on bleachers that have been marked with tape.
Those not able to attend can live stream all home events via YouTube Live at https://youtu.be/wWfjkl6jREw
Fans can also access the NMCC box office and live stream the events on NMCC app. The app is available on the Apple app store or Google Play store by searching New Madrid County R-1 School District.
Concessions are not available at this time.
"We hate having to limit access to our sporting events," Poley said. "However, with the increased number of COVID-19 cases in our area we worked with our local health department and school administration to create a plan that allows our students to participate safely. We will continue to monitor the situation and revise the plan as needed."