The Northumberland Christian women’s basketball season will end in the Class A quarter-finals of the Class A state.

Senior Shamokin Abby Doss will swim at North Carolina State next season after winning five state titles, the same amount after his junior season. Selinsgrove’s bid to be repeated as champions of baseball will be postponed until 2021.

The rest of the winter sports schedule – including the state championships for basketball and swimming – has been canceled along with the entire spring sports season, the PIAA announced Thursday.

“We are rather hoping for that,” said Northumberland women’s basketball coach Dan Severn. “Everyone is disappointed, but we all understand why they do this.”

Doss said he was also not surprised by the decision.

“Honestly, I thought it would come,” said Doss. “For me, it wasn’t too surprising. I was actually more disappointed and surprised that they closed the school because I was a senior. I was worried about proms and graduation. Hopefully, we can do something about it – even if it’s in the summer – for closing . “

He added that after the initial state meeting was postponed, he did not think he would get the chance to increase the number of state titles to seven. As a defending champion three times in the 500 yard freestyle, and a defending champion twice in 200 individual dressing styles, he is preferred to repeat in both events.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I could be the only girl to do this,’ but I accept it now,” said Doss. “That makes me want to force myself for N.C. State, and get better in the long run.”

The high school sports season was stopped in the middle of the PIAA basketball tournament and before the 2A swimming championship. Practice for the spring sports season is underway, but the game does not begin before Governor Tom Wolf’s closure order for school. At that time, the PIAA postponed the championship for at least two weeks.

“I think they made a good call when they delayed everything for two weeks,” Severn said. “It’s unfortunate. I feel so bad for seniors.”

On Thursday, Governor Wolf closed the school for the rest of the year.

“Today’s decision by the PIAA Board of Directors is difficult for everyone. Their minds remain with the thousands of student-athletes, coaches, officials and family members who are affected by this decision, “said PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert A. Lombardi. “However, the council’s position reflects firm priorities for keeping student athletes, officials, and school staff members and their communities safe, while following guidelines given by the governor, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.”

Seventeen other public high school associations have ended their sports season, the PIAA announced.

“We have maintained hope for the continuation of our winter championships and shortened spring to help bring a sense of normalcy to our community,” Lombardi continued. teach us: cooperation, patience, sacrifice, responsibility, respect and perseverance. “

Shikellamy track and field coach Jonny Evans is among those disappointed with the decision made.

“Lombardi said they held out hope for a short spring, and I held out the same hope,” Evans said. “I’m a little surprised they made a decision today.

“I know they pay great attention to our hearts. Safety is number one priority, and rightfully so.”

Understanding, however, does not make it easier for those who will now miss a season.

“I am very sad that all these children will not have the opportunity to compete this spring,” Evans said. “There are more than 50,000 kids out on track and field in Pennsylvania, and a quarter of them are seniors. For those who don’t get their senior years, it’s terrible.”

The Braves coach must notify his athletes Thursday afternoon, but cannot do so on his own because social distance guidelines are designed to limit the spread of the corona virus.

“I just sent a message through the Remind application and told them the news that was not favorable,” Evans said. “I say that whatever I may do for them when this passes, I will try to do … … I tell them how sad I am and how angry I know them.”

Treville Miller senior Danville is disappointed that Ironmen won’t be able to take up baseball in this season. Last year, Danville lost three matches once to the State Seal final.

“It’s unfortunate,” Miller said. “We all held out hope that maybe we would go back to school and play. The smell was rotten.”

Miller, who will pitch next year at USC-Upstate, said he felt lucky because he knew his baseball career was not over.

“My heart goes out to all the children who want one more season to play and play with their friends, and now don’t have that opportunity,” Miller said.

Doss, who focuses on swimming, said he felt for his friends who had the whole season destroyed.

“It’s annoying for people who do spring sports,” Doss said. “If I exercise in the spring, I will not know what to do. I am upset with them.”

Doss said he was glad the winter athletes had at least the opportunity to compete most of the season, and could experience senior nights.

Northumberland Christian ended the historic season, which included the program’s first district title.

“We are going further than we have ever experienced before,” Severn said. “A great match to end our season – a match against Bishop Carroll, which is a very good team. Our girls are playing very well. That is a memory they will remember for a long time.”

The focus has now shifted to the future, and through the current pandemic.

“We will be strong again next year and continue to move forward as much as we can,” Evans said.

“We just have to face it,” said Doss. “Olympians and CEOs and everyone is dealing with it and dealing with it in different ways. My cousin has a baby recently, and his father can’t be in the room, so there are ways it can be worse.”