The Class 1-3 basketball Final Four will continued this weekend in Springfield, but with a few major changes.
Shortly after noon today, the Missouri State High School Activities Association announced in a press release teams participating in the Final Four will have limited fan attendance for each game.
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In addition, all third-place games have been canceled. Only semifinal and championship game will be played.
"Upon the recommendation from the Green County Director of Public Health and in consultation with Missouri State University, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) will be making adjustments to the access allowed at this weekend's Show-Me Showdown," MSHSAA said in the press release.
"With a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state and concern for the safety of all who will be working and attending the Show-Me Showdown, each school will be given 150 wristbands to distribute to its fans base. Only fans that have been given a wristband will be allowed in the arena. The distribution of the wristbands will be the responsibility of the school. Only essential school personnel will be allowed access to the arena as well. Any tickets previously purchased are now void. The MSHSAA Office will work with the participating schools on any reimbursements that need to be made."
Along with the spectator limitations and the cancellation of the third-place games, other elements at the Final Four have been canceled. According to the press release, "All entertainment groups and recognitions have been cancelled."
All Final Four games played this weekend will be streamed on www.MSHSAA.tv.
The St. Elizabeth Hornets are scheduled to play Golden City in the Class 1 boys semifinals at 8:30 p.m. today at JQH Arena in Springfield.
In a message sent out late Thursday morning by St. Elizabeth school officials, it was announced the school has canceled the pep bus for today and Friday to Springfield.
"We understand the unexpected hurdles this creates for our schools and fans, and apologize for the inconveniences it has caused. We wish the best of luck to all of our teams and a safe and healthy return home," MSHSAA executive director Kerwin Urhnan said in the press release.
The Tipton Lady Cardinals are scheduled to play Blue Eye at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hammons Student Center in the Class 2 girls semifinals.
The Blair Oaks Falcons are slated to play Cardinal Ritter at 8:10 p.m. Friday at JQH Arena in the Class 3 boys semifinals.
Blair Oaks athletic director Corey Felton tweeted Thursday afternoon the limited attendance is "unfortunate, but what we have to deal with at this time."
Felton said the school is meeting with players and coaches to begin a ticket count of their immediate families and the necessary bands for entry into the arena will be available at the site Friday night.
The Helias Crusaders are scheduled to play in the Class 4 boys quarterfinals against Webb City at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar.
According to a tweet from Helias athletic director Tom Guinn, "To our knowledge, no changes to our quarterfinal game this (Saturday) have been made." Guinn added if changes are announced before Saturday's game, that information will be passed on as soon as possible.