Hopes of a NorthWood run in the state tournament was officially ended Thursday when the IHSAA canceled the remainder of its boys basketball state tournament. (File photo by Mike Deak)

INDIANAPOLIS – Following today’s directive by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb that all Indiana schools will be closed until May 1, the Indiana High School Athletic Association announces that this year’s IHSAA boys basketball state tournament is officially canceled.

“It is with great sadness and disappointment that we inform Hoosiers of the cancellation of the remaining games of the 2020 IHSAA boys basketball tournament series,” said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox.“While the Association maintained every hope of continuance, it is now evident those hopes are now unreachable. Albeit there will not be regional, semi-state and state champions crowned across our four classifications, the health and safety of our public remains paramount and our primary focus.”

Last Friday (March 13), the IHSAA announced the remaining games of the state tournament would be postponed beginning with the regional games due to the growing number of school closures. Area basketball teams like NorthWood, Northridge, Culver Academy and Rochester were all in a holding pattern on whether to continue to prepare for the possibility of a four-game conclusion or be at the mercy of national directives. Those were answered Thursday afternoon.

Any updates on the status of IHSAA-sponsored spring sports will be announced at a later time.