By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – It’s one thing to play for a state championship and lose, but it’s another to not even get the chance.
Such was the case with the Bay Port girls’ basketball team March 13-14 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
The Pirates, the defending WIAA Division 1 state champs, didn’t get to play a game at the state tournament after earning the right to be there.
With the WIAA’s news during the late hours of March 12 it was canceling the remainder of the tournament due to fears of COVID-19, Bay Port and the other state teams had to come to grips with the fact their seasons were over.
The boys also saw their seasons come to an end a week before their state tournament started.
This came on the heels of the UW-Madison announcing the Kohl Center wouldn’t be available for the boys’ tournament March 19-21.
“It’s hard to put this into words,” said Bay Port head coach Kati Coleman. “The girls fought adversity all season, on and off the court. This was an opportunity for them to let it all go, play for each other and end the season with a gold ball.”
The WIAA decided to cancel the remainder of the state tournament after playing the first day of competition March 12.
“I feel for the girls, especially the seniors,” Coleman said. “We talked at halftime of the Kimberly game [March 7] at sectionals, they needed to play like it was their last – never thought that would be true. We can at least look back at the Kimberly game and know this team played its heart out and saved its best game for last.”
Division 3 and 4 semifinal games were played in front of roughly 300 people.
I was one of the spectators in attendance as a pre-approved media member.
It was a surreal feeling watching a state game in front of so few fans.
At least the players in Division 3 and 4 can say they played at state – Bay Port and 11 other teams can’t say the same this season.
“It’s a heartbreaking way to end an amazing journey,” said Bay Port senior Alaina Abel. “I can’t thank this program enough for giving me the opportunities of a lifetime and my best friends. It’s sad to think I will never put on that jersey again.”
The WIAA went through a painstaking process in making its decision.
Like other professional leagues, colleges and school systems around the country, it did what it deemed necessary.
“I want the student-athletes and their coaches to know your school leaders, the WIAA executive staff, our committees and the board of control did everything to try to preserve these opportunities for you,” Executive Director Dave Anderson said in a released statement. “However, we want and need to be responsible for helping the global and state efforts to stem the tide and spread of this virus.”
This is an unprecedented situation.
“It’s sad to think what could have been a great ending to my senior year turned out to be the worst,” said Bay Port senior Raegan McIntyre. “Although it’s not what any of us wanted, we all know we gave it our all and left everything on the court.”
Because the Pirates and their semifinal opponent, Divine Savior Holy Angels, didn’t get to play their official first-round game at state, the teams took a unique approach to the situation.
Coleman said since both teams were at the Resch March 13, they decided to give the girls the state feel and played a “game” without a basketball.
“We had to do it,” she said. “We were both there at the same time, and it only seemed fitting. Instead of sitting there crying about what could have been, we did what we could to put a smile on the girls’ faces and make light of the situation.”
Jokingly, Coleman said the game ended in a tie.
With most area schools closed until at least April 13, it won’t be until later in the month, at a minimum, we hear the sounds of athletes playing sports again.