Code red declared by the Indiana State Department of Health has produced a domino effect on local high school sports teams trying to play out their schedules.

Under the stage of restriction announced, schools must tighten their attendance limitations immediately, and some area high schools are being turned away from making scheduled road trips.

Tonight’s Seymour-Brownstown Central girls varsity basketball rivalry game at 7:30 p.m. was still on as of Wednesday night.

Otherwise, all other Thursday high school games have been postponed or canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic-related issues.

High schools have been working closely with their local health departments and in communication with the Indiana High School Athletic Association since fall sports began.

While numerous games were called off and many were played either without spectators or with limited numbers of fans during the fall season, this action brings forth a new threat to games and the fans.

“Red impacts the seating capacity in Lloyd E. Scott gym to household family members only of the participants,” said Seymour High School Athletic Director Kirk Manns, who is also the boys basketball coach.

The gym is the largest high school facility with seating for more than 8,000 people, and attendance had been restricted to 25%  of capacity for the boys and girls played so far under an orange alert stage.

However, the seating is much tighter at other Seymour venues. Under red, at the aquatic center, home of the boys and girls swim teams, and the auxiliary gym, no fans will be allowed so that access will be stricter in those venues.

Seymour teams were immediately impacted by the decision in a way they may not have expected. The wrestling team was scheduled to compete at Columbus East tonight, and the Owls swim teams were scheduled to compete at Columbus North. Both events were called off.

“(Bartholomew County’s school district) does not allow schools traveling from red counties into their schools for athletic events,” wrestling coach Adam Wolka said.

There has been a spate of schedule juggling. The Trinity Lutheran girls basketball team was supposed to host Edinburgh this evening, and that game is off because Edinburgh is in quarantine, said Trinity Athletic Director Ryan Cremeans.

Going forward under the current stage, the Bollinger Athletic Complex will not be crowded for games.

“Our policy for red is 10%capacity in our gym, which essentially works out to two people per player can attend,” Cremeans said.

The Brownstown boys basketball team is scheduled to host Seymour Friday night at 7:30 p.m., and the Braves have their own rules.

In part, according to Athletic Director Mark DeHart, “Spectators are limited to team members’ parents and siblings in the same household only. Vouchers will be given in advance to those eligible to purchase a ticket at the gate. Vouchers are not transferable to those outside the intended audience.”

Also not permitted onsite will be the band, drill team or cheerleaders, according to the policy.

People who buy vouchers must pay cash.

Both of Crothersville’s basketball teams remain in quarantine. Athletic Director Jacob Dunn, who has been scrambling to readjust the schedule, said the red stage won’t matter much for the Tigers because no spectators will be allowed in for games. During the fall, the volleyball team did compete without fans.

Medora’s Saturday boys basketball game against Shoals that had already been moved from another date is called off because Shoals is in quarantine, said Hornets Athletic Director Kara Hunt.

As a red policy, Medora will only allow participants, staff personnel and parents or guardians of players in the gym for games. There will be a limit of two parents or guardians per player. All of those individuals must wear masks during the games.

The IHSAA itself, which presides over the administration of high school sports statewide, has refrained from direct involvement, taking cues from Gov. Eric Holcomb and county health departments.

“According to the governor’s guidance, in the red would only allow participants, coaches and support staff to be present,” said IHSAA spokesman Jason Wille. “However, I’m confident the schools will work with their local health officials to figure out what’s best for those involved.”