By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
For the second time this school year the Del Rio Rams basketball team has seen its schedule affected by COVID.
According to Wednesday’s Laredo Morning Times, the arrival of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 forced the postponement of the boys basketball game between Laredo United and Laredo LBJ. It was the second time that United had to postpone a game due to COVID, the first being its game against Del Rio in December. That game was eventually played Dec. 28 at Del Rio instead of in Laredo as it was originally scheduled.
But the Rams’ schedule is being hit again. The same Times article also noted that Friday’s scheduled game between the Rams and Laredo Alexander Bulldogs was postponed due to the discovery of positive COVID cases at Alexander Monday.
Friday’s game was supposed to be played at Alexander.
Alexander also had to postpone its game against Eagle Pass High.
Rams head coach Joe Nieto confirmed the postponement Thursday morning and said that the game has been tentatively rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 17.
Del Rio Queens head basketball coach Marisa Soto said Friday’s home game against Laredo Alexander had not been affected as of Thursday morning.
With the rise of positive COVID cases across the state school districts are once again enacting protocols to keep players, coaches, staff and fans safe when it comes to athletic events. Locally, administrators are once again limiting where fans can sit and the use of masks is being highly encouraged. Benches for players have been reconfigured to allow for some social distancing and players are being reminded to wear their masks as they move between the court and the locker room.
Overnight travel has also been barred for the time being. That means teams traveling out of town to compete will have to compete, return to Del Rio and then return the next day to continue play. Those players, coaches and staff traveling in district transportation will have to wear a mask while traveling.
Del Rio High’s protocols are expected to be in place until mid-January, according to a release from the San Felipe Del Rio CISD. At that time they will conduct a review and determine whether or not to continue with the same protocols or amend them.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
