Unity basketball tips off tonight

Unity's Blake Kimball dribbles the ball down the floor during first half action in last year's home game against St. Joseph-Ogden. The Rockets will host the Spartans on February 19.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

The Unity varsity boys basketball team open their 2021 season on the road tonight at Maroa-Forsyth.

Under normal circumstances due to the COVID-19 state health department protocols, spectator capacity is limited to just 25 spectators for the away team. However, Rocket fans can catch tonight's game on the NFHS network from the comfort of their home at 7pm. The junior varsity contest at 5:30pm will also be streamed.

The cost to watch NFHS Network streaming events start a monthly subscription cost of $10.99 per month. Fans can save almost half of the year fee by purchasing an annual subscription at $69.99. The NFHS will donate a portion of the annual subscription fee to the school you select when you sign up. Schedule and times for all Unity high school and middle school basketball games can be found here.

The Rockets will host seven opponents on their 13-game schedule this season. Here is the current schedule for the 2021.

2021 Unity Boys Basketball Schedule

02/02/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Maroa Forsyth High School
02/05/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Paris High School
02/09/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     vs. IVC High School
02/12/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Pontiac High School
02/16/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Prairie Central High School
02/19/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. St. Joseph-Ogden High School
02/20/2021     Sat • 3:30 PM     @ PBL High School
02/23/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Olympia High School
02/26/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Monticello High School
03/02/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ St. Thomas More High School
03/05/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Rantoul High School
03/06/2021     Sat • 4:30 PM     vs. Tuscola High School
03/09/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Central Catholic High School

Breaking | First two SJO boys basketball games canceled

Per an email message yesterday afternoon from St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Director Justin Franzen, the first two boys basketball games of the season have been canceled.

The Spartans, both JV and varsity squads, were scheduled to open the 2021 season against former Sangamon Valley Conference foe Cissna Park High School in the Main Gym on Friday. Four days later, SJO planned to host St. Thomas More for their first Illini Prairie Conference contest this year.

Franzen indicated that both games were canceled due to required COVID-19 quarantine and mitigation measures.

The girls' JV and varsity home openers are still scheduled to be played at this time.

Facing limit fan capacity for home games this season, the SJO Fan Club purchased video cameras for both the main gym and outdoor sports facilities so that all home Spartan athletic events will be streamed live via the NFHS Network at a subscription cost of $10.99 per month. Fans can save almost half of the year fee by purchasing an annual subscription at $69.99.

All Spartan basketball, volleyball, and wrestling meets will be broadcasted on the network. Bookmark this page to enjoy watching SJO sports online until public health mandated spectator limitations are lifted.

What SJO fans need to know about home basketball games this season

Earlier today, St. Joseph-Ogden announced the school's attendance policy for basketball spectators this season.

Following IDPH guidelines, schools may control the number of spectators for indoor sporting events up to a maximum of 50 per game in regions that are in Phase 4, or 25 at schools not in Phase 4. Spartan fans who wish to attend games must reserve their space with the school. Only two spectators per athlete will be allowed.

To protect players and fellow fans, every spectator will be screen for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the facility.

The latest IHSA guidelines also require all student-athletes to participate in masks -- with the exception of swimming and diving, gymnasts on an apparatus and outdoor events where social distancing can occur -- all game personnel not participating in the contest and spectators must wear masks and observe social distancing.

Below are the entry and seating information for SJO basketball games this season.

• The home team will provide a list of two spectators per athlete for each freshmen, JV, and varsity home game. Athletes and their families will need to communicate who is on this list ahead of game time so that we can keep accurate records of who is in the building.

• Spectators will be allowed to enter St. Joseph-Ogden High School through the north Commons doors fifteen minutes prior to tip-off. All spectators should park in the north parking lot, just outside of the Commons.

• Upon entry, spectators will be screened for symptoms. After being symptom screened, all spectators will need to report to the balcony seating area in the SJO main gym. Please sit on the Spartan head stickers taped to the balcony bleachers. Members of the same household may sit together.

• The gym will be cleared after the JV game is over, and the spectators from the JV game (or prelim game) need to exit the gym and return to their respective vehicles.

• Remember, masks must be worn at all times.

• No gathering in the gym or outside.

• Failure to follow IDPH guidelines will result in immediate removal from the facility.

• Concessions will not be available. There are water bottle filling stations located outside the main gym.

• Restrooms are located right outside of the northeast corner of the gym.