Update: This article has been updated to include information about students protesting at the CIAC offices.

Connecticut high schools teams that advanced in state tournament play, just like those that have been eliminated, will not have a chance to compete for championships after all.

Due to continuing concerns regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) made the move to cancel the remainder of its winter championship tournaments, Connecticut Association of Schools-CIAC Executive Director Glenn Lungarini announced at a press conference at the CIAC’s Cheshire headquarters on March 10.

“The decision was made in light of discussions with numerous agencies and considering the circumstances of our member schools, our championship venues, and weighing the health and safety of our student-athletes, parents, and fans given the uncertainty that surrounds the spread of this virus,” according to a press release summing up the announcement.

“The CIAC understands and appreciates the disappointment that student-athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators may feel as a result of this decision. However, we must always place the health and safety of our student-athletes first,” Lungarini said at the press conference.

This impacts Newtown High’s basketball teams: The girls won their quarterfinal-round contest on March 9 and were to have played in the semifinals on March 13, and the boys were supposed to host a first-round game the night of the decision. It also puts an end to the season for the boys’ swimming and diving team, which had only completed its conference championships.

“It’s difficult to say to seniors and others that they won’t have the opportunity to finish their tournaments,” said Lungarini, adding he is hopeful they will be able to reflect positively on their achievements. “I would encourage them to think about what they have been able to accomplish, what they have been able to realize not only this year but throughout their playing careers.”

Lungarini said some schools had restrictions about holding games with more than 100 people on hand, some considered playing games without any fans, and some had no restrictions. The lack of consistency as far as what schools were willing to do impacted the decision. Also, representatives of some neutral site venues scheduled to host tournament games informed the CIAC that they would no longer be available as host sites. Giving school administrators an opportunity to focus on how to address educational needs of students with the potential for distance learning, should they need to close, and the uncertainty of this virus also played into the decision making, Lungarini said.

“This has just begun here and so we don’t know exactly how far this will spread,” Lungarini said of COVID-19.

“I am so sad for all the student-athletes who would have been participating in their sport for the last time. The CIAC did what they believed was in the best interest of the student-athletes health and obviously this is so disappointing for all coaches and kids. The amount of time and energy that goes into these seasons is incredible, and to end this way really is tough.”

Other teams impacted are cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics — all of which completed state championships but had New England Regional competitions canceled.

Lungarini said some surrounding states have completed or will complete state play this week and others are behind Connecticut’s schedule, and added that he believes Connecticut is the first state to cancel state tourney play as a result of COVID-19.

The question now is what the plan is for spring sports, which begins with baseball pitchers and catchers starting practice this coming weekend.

“At this time we are not changing anything with spring,” Lungarini said.

Spring sport practices will be held as planned, as of the time of the March 10 announcement. If schools end up closing for any period of time, it needs to be determined if athletes have had enough practice time to be permitted to compete in games, so the subject may need to be addressed again. Spring games are slated to begin the first weekend of April. Lungarini pointed out that a majority of spring sports are held outdoors — boys’ volleyball being the one exception — so that is something that looks to be a positive going forward.

According to a Hartford Courant story published on March 11: "Hundreds of students from schools around the state swarmed the offices of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Wednesday morning, even throwing eggs at the building, in protest of a decision made the previous day to cancel the remainder of the high school sports seasons amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus."