GCA girls advance without playing

INDIANAPOLIS

After missing its last five regular season games because of contract tracing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greenwood Christian girls basketball team arrived at Indianapolis Lutheran Tuesday ready for its sectional opener against Tindley.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. As soon as Cougars coach Alan Weems walked in the door, Lutheran athletic director Tom Finchum told him there was an issue involving contract tracing involving Tindley. The GCA team waited in the lobby for an hour for a decision.

Finally, about 15 minutes before the game was due to tip off, the IHSAA called to say Tindley had to forfeit. Tindley (15-9) had played Eminence Saturday and Eminence has since had a player test positive for COVID-19.

“Like us, Tindley had a lot of time figuring who was affected,” said Weems, whose Cougars haven’t played since Jan. 16. “The IHSAA is always going to err on the side of safety for the kids.”

The Cougars (13-6) advance to play Providence Cristo Rey at 6 p.m. in Friday’s semifinals.

“We wanted to play,” Weems said. “We feel bad for Tindley. A senior like Aniya Washington is excited to play in the sectional and then by late afternoon her career is over. It’s really sad.”