The Red Rams are ready to hit the hardwood. Jamesville-DeWitt Girls Basketball Coach Kurt Sweeney says it’s time.

“The kids needed this," said Sweeney, who is preparing for his first season as head coach. "And it’s not just basketball. They needed something, some positivity this year. And the symbolicalness to get on the court and have some sense of normalness; We did what’s best for kids.”

Friday afternoon, Sweeney found out basketball and other high-risk high school sports can return. His first call was to senior Momo LeClair.

“I was pretty emotional actually just because I didn't think we would have a season at this point," said LeClair. "I kind of came to terms with that. But to hear we finally have one is really exciting.”

Basketball — and other high-risk sports like football, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse and cheerleading — have been sidelined since March.

“It was hard," said LeClair. "It was hard to come to terms with it. I think a lot of the seniors almost became numb to all the news that we have been getting this year just because we missed out on a lot of things, so this is really big news. It felt good.”

The team had a few outdoor, socially distanced practices in the fall, so Sweeney is eager to get his team together.

“You know, we’ll wear ten masks, a hazmat suit, we’ll do anything," said Sweeney. "And we’re going to do it and it’s going to be awesome. We’re going to send them out the right way. You know, Momo gets her senior season and so do the other girls.”

New York State has punted the final decision to local health departments.

Onondaga County executive Ryan McMahon says he will work with Section 3 to ensure winter sports start up on February 1.