The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on March 12, 2020, that it has canceled its remaining winter State Series postseason tournaments, which include Boys Basketball, Scholastic Bowl, Drama & Group Interpretation, Music, Debate and Journalism, over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lincoln High School was set to take on Springfield Lanphier tonight for a Section championship but a return to Carver Arena and another State Finals appearance under coach Neil Alexander will not be a possibility for the Railsplitters, who were ranked sixth in Class 3A. 

Central A&M High School qualified for their second straight State Finals appearance but a chance to redeem a semifinal loss to Cissna Park will not happen. 

In a released statement Thursday, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said quote - "The Board considered suspending the events, but after deliberate discussion, did not believe that was a realistic option within the timeline. We feel for everyone who has been impacted, but must put the health and safety of all involved ahead of these events.”

The IHSA has not made any decisions related to spring sports tournaments at this time.

Anderson added quote -  “It is too early to make any decisions regarding IHSA spring state final tournaments. We respect the NCAA’s decision to cancel its spring championships, but also recognize that the exposure and travel by our high school teams are not as expansive as collegiate teams."

Regional Radio News will be reaching out to high school administrators and spring sports coaches in the days ahead to follow up on this story.