The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has set the start dates for winter sports.

MSHSL’s board of directors held a virtual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, to discuss the winter sports season, and to decide whether or not to hold fall sports playoffs.

Boys basketball begins Nov. 23, wrestling starts on Nov. 30, girls basketball and gymnastics will begin Dec.7.

The new schedule allows 70 percent of the competitions to take place compared to a normal schedule.

Under the current guidelines set by the Minnesota Department of Health and Education, no spectators will be allowed at indoor events in school facilities, with a limit of 250 fans at outdoor facilities.

“We want to provide a season for each of our high school activities and athletics in the safest possible manner,” Jill Johnson, chair of the Return to Play Task Force, said.

With the winter sports dates set, the board held a discussion on playoffs for fall sports. A motion to add a “Super Regional” playoff championship which would take the place of a state tournament failed on a 10-8 vote.

So, there will be section playoffs but no traditional state tournaments for fall sports.