The popular Lanierland Basketball Tournament in Hall County will go on this year but without fans in the stands. Gainesville City Schools, Lakeview Academy, and the Hall County School District announced the change Tuesday.
Leadership from all three systems met on December 15 to discuss hosting the Lanierland Basketball Tournament under the challenging circumstances created by COVID-19. With the number of positive cases in the community on the rise, and with so many schools facing the challenge of maintaining in-person instruction, the agreement was reached that the tournament should proceed but with no spectators in attendance.
“Without question, this will be a disappointment for many, as the Lanierland Tournament is a long-held event that for years has brought our community together,” says Hall County Schools Communications Director Stan Lewis. “However, leadership from Gainesville, Hall, and Lakeview Academy feel an obligation to protect the health and safety of the collective community.”
All games will be held at Gainesville High School and will be live streamed. Lewis says holding the tournament in one location “gives local radio the ability to broadcast all games; thus, reaching a wider audience and allowing community members to enjoy the tournament in the safety of their homes.”
Safety measures and protocols will be in place for all athletes, and an updated schedule of game times will be posted on the Lanierland website in the near future.
