'We have to be smart about it' - Coaches, students and elected officials react to high-risk HS sports getting approval

Excitement and trepidation is how one coach says he reacted to the news. He wants everyone back on the court, but how do we do it safely?

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2021, 3:14 AM

Updated 1,428 days ago

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With the announcement that high-risk sports may be back in action in a matter of days, many are excited to get back to action, while others are still on the fence about the decision.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that high-risk high school sports could resume starting Feb. 1 if counties sign off on it.
Excitement and trepidation is how one coach says he reacted to the news. He wants everyone back on the court, but how do we do it safely?
West Babylon senior Jordyn Hickey says she was so excited to learn she might finally be back on the volleyball court in the spring.
"If we're not able to play I'm going to be really, really sad because it's my senior year and I want to be able to finish it off and play my last season, have my senior night and enjoy it like everyone else did," says Hickey.
Nassau Executive Laura Curran says she'll be thrilled to see them back in business.
"It's really important for our kids for their emotional development, their mental development, their, obviously, physical development to get out there and do sports. They've been isolated and cooped up for a long time," says Curran.
Locust Valley High School girls basketball coach Mike Guidone says his phone started blowing up with texts from his players when the announcement came out.
"They were like, 'Coach did you hear the news? And what does this mean?'" says Guidone.
Guidone says he's excited to get back on the court, but also has concerns about scheduling, logistics and safety.
"Safety is our No. 1 thing no matter what. We're certainly excited to try to make this happen but we have to be smart about it," says Guidone.
Nassau County Board of Health board member Dr. John Zaso says he thinks the move is a good one.
"It can be done safely," says Zaso. "I think some things that may come out are -- while they're on the bench or the sidelines, they're in a mask, they're six feet apart. We try to maintain that safety factor there."
No official decision has been made by either Nassau or Suffolk counties.