(EAST LANSING) – The Michigan High School Athletic Association has approved an adjusted regular season for the indoor Winter sports season.

The MHSAA's Representative Council met on Wednesday and announced that under the current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders, Winter sports may restart their season on Saturday, January 16. All Winter sports activity had been paused by the MDHHS on November 18 to decrease the spread of COVID-19. The exception was boys and girls alpine skiing, which was allowed to resume on December 21.

If the MDHHS pause ends, indoor practices may begin again on January 16 with first competitions January 22 for basketball, bowling, ice hockey and boys swimming and diving. Then on January 25 for wrestling, competitive cheer and gymnastics.

The Council also approved changes to the Winter tournament schedule, pushing championships in most sports back to allow for regular seasons to be extended due to the late start. Girls basketball Districts would start March 8 and boys on March 9. Bowling Regionals would be March 19 and 20. Competitive Cheer Districts are March 5 and 6; Gymnastics Regionals are March 20, Boys Diving Regionals will be March 18 and the State Finals March 26 and 27 and Wrestling Districts would start March 1.

Currently, the start dates of Spring sports are not affected. If current orders further delay activity beyond January 16, the MHSAA staff and Representative Council will devise updated plans.