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MIAA will continue to require masking for school basketball

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Mixed messages on the court? The M-I-A-A basketball committee voted this week to recommend players and referees have the option to wear a mask on the basketball court. But soon after the Executive Director of the M-I-A-A reversed course saying not so fast.

It has been a full court press to keep masks on students while they are playing basketball indoors. “They are no different than us. We all have to cooperate on this,” one parent said. But the MIAA board of directors just got a recommendation to give student players and referees the option to go mask free while playing like the NBA allows. But some people like Rami Rustom were on the defensive about requiring masks while playing. “I feel like it’s for show than it is for actual functionality. Just like in the NBA they are not wearing masks but when they are court side next to the coach for TV which I feel takes away from the meaning of the mask,” said Rustom.

The MIAA Executive Director stepped in saying going mask free is not going to be a slam dunk --- writing a letter to MIAA members which read in part, “The current surge is 20 fold higher than the first surge when COVID 19 began. This is not the time to be sending a mixed message regarding masking guidelines.” “Proper mask-wearing (nose and mouth fully covered) is the expectation needed for the safety of our students and school communities.”

In some of the recent high school games covered by Boston 25 Sports, students clearly had trouble keeping their masks on while running full speed down court. Miranda Santiago is a Senior at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. “They should make like sports masks, extra tight. They are running so that is why they are falling down,” said Santiago. Myala Callender runs track at Rindge & Latin. “I understand I do track and indoors as well and it is just something you have to do,” said Callender.

This student athlete says every sport is different but the whole idea of wearing a mask needs to be a team sport. “My races are shorter so it is different than basketball but I have never taken it down and I have been fine,” said Callender.


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