Middle school basketball starts Dec. 14 for Boothbay Region Elementary School with boys and girls players dribbling, passing and shooting, but they won’t compete in the Busline League. School officials have opted for an intramural program running for seven weeks. Last month, Athletic Director Dennis Dacus sent parents a letter describing the school’s decision. “With the current COVID-19 situation, we felt it would be appropriate to inform you of most of the safety protocols we will follow during this programming,” he wrote.

Winter sports safety guidelines include masks worn at all times except for hydration and changing masks at 15-minute intervals, goggles worn at all times, and social distancing whenever possible. COVID-19 screening prior to each practice and hand sanitizing during breaks will occur. Athletes are responsible for their own water containers. Daily attendance will be taken for contact tracing purposes. Basketball players will use an individualized ball sanitized before and after practice. A minimum number of players will be assigned to a basket for drills.  Practice pods for basketball and cheering will be declared. 

Practices will be from 3 to 4:15 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday basketball practices will include co-ed scrimmages without fans and run from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Players will have individual game uniforms and spaced benches for scrimmages. Student athletes will be asked to leave promptly and arrive just prior to practices. 

Last spring, BRES sports were cancelled due to the pandemic. This fall, BRES opted for an intramural program similar to the one used this winter concentrating on skill development.