On Thursday afternoon, the NYSPHSAA announced that it had postponed all of the Winter Championships indefinitely. The sports being affected are Ice Hockey, Bowling, Girls and Boys Basketball.

“Unfortunate for all the kids involved… it’s what the state thinks is best,” Dunkirk Lady Marauder’s head bowling coach Donna Kubera stated about NYSPHSAA’s decision. “For some of them they have never done it before, it’s a shame they’re missing out on a great experience.”

NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas said “It was my goal to complete the winter championships on schedule. It has become increasingly more difficult to host these championship events with the number of challenges that have been presented. I also have concerns as the Executive Director of NYSPHSAA and a parent, that students will be participating in an event under circumstances that are not conducive to a quality and beneficial participation experience.”

The program that is arguably taking the biggest hit, possibly in the entire state, is Dunkirk High School. Just one day before the Lady Marauders bowling team was set to travel to Syracuse, where they would attempt to defend their State Championship, NYSPHSAA put their tournament on hold with no answer of when it may be played.

Dunkirk’s Mariah Glowniak steps into a roll during a match earlier this season. OBSERVER File Photo

“It’s too early to know,” Dunkirk Lady Marauders’ head coach Ricker said about the possible resuming of the postseason. “When they use the word postponed it gives some hope.”

For the Dunkirk girls bowling team, many of those players have the luxury of calling themselves State Champions, thanks to their title from last year. On the other hand, the Dunkirk Lady Marauder’s basketball team has been having its best season in program history and now it is being put on hold.

“I feel bad for our basketball girls, they’ve had a fantastic season,” Coach Kubera said about the basketball team’s chance at winning a state title. “I feel bad for our girls, but they’ve had the experience at least once.”

Powered by their senior starting five, the core group of the Lady Marauders have been working hard for four years to earn their first trip to the Far West Regionals. Just on Wednesday night, Dunkirk pulled off one of the biggest wins in program history and now they don’t know when they will play again or if they will get to play again.

“When the NCAA cancels its billion dollar tournament it’s definitely a big deal,” stated Coach Ricker. “It’s still a dream season. I challenge anyone to think of a better way to think of a better way to end the season on 35-2 run for a comeback win.”

From left, Olivia Smith, Nadara O’Dell and Jessica Beehler celebrate after winning the Class B1 title. OBSERVER File Photo

In the south end of Chautauqua County, another girls team is facing similar heartbreak. After being upset in the Section VI Class D finals a year ago by a Dani Haskell buzzer beater, the Panama Lady Panthers had to watch and see the team that beat them go on and win the NYSPHSAA Class D State Championship.

This year was different, the Lady Panthers did win the Sectional Championship and it looked like there would be nobody to get in their way for the State Championship. Unfortunately, while no team looked able to stop them this year, outside factors has likely prevented them from winning it all.

The lone boys team in the county put on hold is the Sherman Wildcats boys basketball team. The Wildcats advanced to their first Far West Regionals since 2014. Sherman defeated the North Collins Eagles in an unlikely Class D sectional championship matchup by a score of 54-40.

While it is unknown when play will be resumed or if it will be at all, nothing can take away from the great seasons these teams have put together.

Sherman’s Justiss Hannold defends North Collins’ Tyler Robinson during the Section VI Class D Championship game. OBSERVER File Photo

Fredonia’s Nagely Vazquez is defended by Panama senior co-captain Natalie Angeletti during a game this season at Fredonia High School. OBSERVER File Photo