Wantagh HS seniors take the court after basketball seasons nearly came to an end due to COVID-19 cases

Seniors were back on the court Wednesday night for Wantagh's boys and girls basketball teams after they thought their season was over due to numerous COVID-19 cases.
Wantagh High School says 15 students have tested positive for COVID-19, with 13 of those cases in the senior class. Those cases appeared to have been linked to a party over the weekend. Nassau County's Department of Health recommended moving the senior class to remote learning for the week and that's what the district did.
But for a short time, sports were off the books for seniors through the remainder of the winter season.
Soon after, a choice was made to allow seniors to participate in the rest of the winter sports season, but they had to test negative to be permitted to play in the remaining games.
Wednesday's games went on with the seniors, which was also senior night for the boys team. It was the only game parents were allowed to attend in-person.
Angela Bowden says being able to cheer on her son Kyle was bittersweet.
"I am just so grateful to the people that fought for our kids today and gave us the opportunity as parents to see them play," says Bowden. "I had tears in my eyes multiple times through the night."
Parents and players alike say it was quite the emotional 24 hours.
"It's a very memorable game, it's my last home game of my high school career and it means a lot," says Jaden Ventura.
"It's crazy, I didn't expect all the seniors to be here tonight, so it meant a lot," says junior Mike Handell. "Seeing them all out there with me today, it's a good feeling."