PEORIA, Ill. — It’s been nearly 11 months since high school basketball games have taken place in the state of Illinois.
As early as two weeks ago, there was even doubt to whether or not there would be any sports played at all in the state during the 2020-2021 school year.
Then, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike made the announcement last week that high school sports could resume in Phase 4 of Restore Illinois.
Region 2, the region that encompasses Peoria and surrounding counties, was moved into Phase 4 Monday, kick-starting the beginning of a high school sports season.
IHSA announced Wednesday the start date for all sports, including the ability for schools to begin playing basketball almost immediately.
Peoria Notre Dame boys basketball Head Coach Tom Lacher said he was confident at the beginning of the year that there would be high school sports this year, but a rough winter caused him to have doubts.
“I thought, at this point, there was already so many states already started or had a plan to start,” said Lacher. “Thank goodness that I was wrong — I’ll take being wrong like that every time.”
Peoria Public Schools Athletic Director Brien Dunphy held the same thoughts weeks ago, wondering if high school teams would have to sit out the entire year due to COVID-19.
“As the winter months drug on, you really become skeptical,” said Dunphy. “I hope the student-athletes and coaches realize now that work for the sake of work is wonderful, and we’ve got a good outcome finally.”
Eureka Senior basketball, track and football athlete Thomas Cahill said not being able to play football in the fall hurt his recruitment for college.
“I wasn’t able to put out any fall film that I could use to attract coaches,” said Cahill. “At this point, even though I’m grateful to have a spring season, it’s pretty late in the game for coaches to still be offering kids in my class.”
Cahill said he currently has 17 collegiate football offers.
Overall, there was one common thing that Cahill and Lacher both said they missed: camaraderie.
“I missed being around the guys,” said Lacher. “I’m blessed to coach some unbelievably awesome young men.
“That’s the best thing about it — just being a part of their lives.”
Above all else, Cahill said he just missed playing with his friends.
“Even when we’re together in the weight room, it’s not the same as running a pick-up game and just playing with your friends,” said Cahill. “It’s nice to have that sense of camaraderie and togetherness again now that we’re actually playing.”
Many schools throughout the Peoria area will be playing their first basketball games next week.
Dunphy said Peoria High School could be playing as soon as Tuesday, depending what practice days count towards the seven needed before competing.
PHS boys and girls basketball will be playing games on the same nights against the same opponents, just in different locations.
“It helps with all those things ADs worry about,” said Dunphy. “If I know where the girls are and the boys are at home, there’s a lot more space for all the things to get done that need to get done.”
There will be no state tournament for basketball this year, but Dunphy said the Big Twelve Conference plans on holding a bracket-style tournament at the end of the season to crown a champion.
Full interview with Dunphy:
Full interview with Cahill:
Full interview with Lacher:
