Monticello High School will open the 2021 abbreviated basketball season next Saturday, February 6 at the new Sievers Center.

Athletic Director Dan Sheehan on the WHOW Hometown Tour Spotlight Thursday told Regional Radio News they are working to get all the schedules put together now that they know the sports calendar layout for the second semester.

Once students heard the announcement that high school sports were back, the buzz was palpable. Sheehan says there was a renewed energy from their student-athletes last Friday afternoon.

Per the IHSA announcement Wednesday, winter sports will begin after seven practices. Those sports include boys and girls basketball, boys swimming, as well as dance and cheerleading.  There will be no state series for basketball or swimming, however, a virtual state series will be held for dance and cheerleading. 

Football will begin practices on March 3 with the first games to be Saturday, March 13. Boys soccer will begin practices on March 1 and games can begin after seven practices. Girls volleyball will begin practices on March 8 and games can begin after seven practices. There will be no state series for any of these sports.

Spring sports, including boys baseball, girls soccer, girls softball, boys tennis, and boys and girls track and field will begin practices April 5 with competitions to begin after seven practices and a state series to be determined. 

Wrestling will begin practicing on April 19 with meets to begin after seven practices. There will be no state series for wrestling this year.