Lincoln Northwest will not play varsity boys or girls basketball this winter, as announced by Lincoln Public Schools today, citing player safety.
The Falcons instead will play junior varsity, reserve and freshman games to build experience before playing a varsity schedule in 2023-24. LPS has notified the Nebraska School Athletic Association of the decision, and Northwest administrators have contacted the schools on their winter schedule.
The move comes exactly three weeks after LNW canceled the remainder of its varsity football games after an 0-3 start left the team's roster decimated by injuries and lack of experienced athletes.
"This was a difficult but appropriate decision," LPS athletic and activities director JJ Toczek said of the basketball move. "I appreciate the administration at Northwest being thoughtful and putting student safety, learning and success first."
"We have learned valuable lessons during our fall sports season that we carry with us as we navigate the rest of our first year," Lincoln Northwest activities director Rob Psencik said in a news release. "Putting student safety first, we are taking this unique opportunity to start slow and build our teams and players’ experience.
"By focusing on the junior varsity, reserve and freshmen level, we can focus on developing our young players. Next year, we will have competitive varsity teams for both boys and girls basketball."
The Falcons instead will play junior varsity, reserve and freshman games to build experience before playing a varsity schedule in 2023-24. LPS has notified the Nebraska School Athletic Association of the decision, and Northwest administrators have contacted the schools on their winter schedule.
The move comes exactly three weeks after LNW canceled the remainder of its varsity football games after an 0-3 start left the team's roster decimated by injuries and lack of experienced athletes.
"This was a difficult but appropriate decision," LPS athletic and activities director JJ Toczek said of the basketball move. "I appreciate the administration at Northwest being thoughtful and putting student safety, learning and success first."
"We have learned valuable lessons during our fall sports season that we carry with us as we navigate the rest of our first year," Lincoln Northwest activities director Rob Psencik said in a news release. "Putting student safety first, we are taking this unique opportunity to start slow and build our teams and players’ experience.
"By focusing on the junior varsity, reserve and freshmen level, we can focus on developing our young players. Next year, we will have competitive varsity teams for both boys and girls basketball."