SAN ANTONIO — The University Interscholastic League hoped the boys state basketball tournament would go on as planned. Thursday morning it announced the games would be played, but a limited amount of fans could come into the Alamodome to watch. 

As things progressed throughout the day, the folks in charge made the decision to stop games and postpone the rest of the tournament due to the coronavirus.

“Very difficult decision and very painful,” UIL Deputy Director Jamey Harrison said. “We thought it was the best we could do to keep our great state healthy.”

The UIL made that announcement early in the afternoon, but allowed the 3A semifinal between San Antonio Cole and Peaster to be played as planned. It might turn out to be the final game of the season.

“Definitely an unfortunate situation for everybody and these kids who work so hard to get to this point,” said Cole coach Noe Cantu. “They prepared themselves for this moment.” 

For the latest information from the CDC go here.

Cole won their game over Peaster and would have played for a 3A title on Saturday. But the players understand it’s bigger than basketball.

“I was scared by the whole thing,” said Cole sophomore Vince Iwuchukwu. “The safety of every team that made it here and all the fans is more important that us winning a state championship.”

The UIL says they have every intention of trying to finish the boys state basketball tournament at some point and all of their activities scheduled the rest of the new year. They don’t have a timeline on when that could happen, and if anything else will get postponed.