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Postponing league tourney welcomed by some


The footprint of this week's record-breaking snowfall has indeed forced the further postponement of the YAIAA boys' and girls' basketball tournaments. YAIAA basketball chairman Marty Trimmer confirmed Thursday night that the start of both tournaments would be pushed back to next week.

"We're not going to get it started on Saturday, that's for sure," he said.

But before we commence with the groans and eye rolls, let's pause for a second. Pushing the league tournament back to next week was a necessary thing. Officials had no choice.

Could it ultimately be a good thing? Hanover coach Nathan Myers thinks so.

The most recent plan was to play any make-up games Thursday and Friday nights, and then begin the YAIAA Tournament on Saturday. Several tourney-bound teams who had games slated for Friday -- like the Nighthawks, who are scheduled to play Fairfield -- would have had to play back-to-back nights.

"That's probably for the best," Myers said when told the tournament had been pushed back. "If we were to play tomorrow and then play Saturday in the country playoffs that's probably not the most ideal situation."

In essence, moving the tournament back loosens up the schedule. It also could make time for some much-needed practice. Like many area teams, the Nighthawks haven't been able to get in the gym the last few days because of the snow.

"It just throws us out of routine," said Myers, whose team could move up to a No. 3 seed with a win over the Green Kngihts. "We don't know when games are going to be made up or if they're going to be made up."

Eastern York girls' coach Bob Heiser agrees. His team could clinch a league playoff spot if it beats Littlestown. That game has been rescheduled to Saturday.

Heiser was lucky enough to get his team together for a practice Tuesday afternoon, but he hasn't seen his team since then. He was hoping to get his players together for practice Friday, but said he had to get the go-ahead from the school district first. Eastern York schools are closed Friday.

In other words, further delaying the start of the YAIAA tournament was something officials didn't want to do. But in the end, it will probably make life easier for at least a few teams.