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Virus stops five teams

The Southern Local boys and East Palestine girls basketball teams have had someone test positive for COVID-19, forcing at least four area teams into quarantine.

The East Palestine girls entertained Lisbon on Saturday, while the Southern boys hosted Heartland Christian on Tuesday.

The Sebring girls basketball team is out of action, too, after a positive test on Lordstown. Sebring hosted Lordstown on Monday.

The girls teams are quarantined through next week and the boys teams until Feb. 3.

“No other programs are impacted,” Southern Superintendent Tom Cunningham said. “We have been fortunate so far this year. Our students staff and families have taken great care to stay safe and healthy.”

Southern did not start the season until Dec. 12 due to coronavirus concerns by school officials. The Indians are 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference, tied with Lisbon for the league lead.

As of now, the Indians will play at Leetonia on Feb. 5 and at Beaver Local on Feb. 6.

Heartland Christian is 10-3 overall and riding a six-game winning streak, so it’s not the best time for the Lions to halt their season.

Heartland Christian coach Josh Scott said the 10 players who were on the floor with the player who tested positive have been quarantined. He is left with 15 players, including nine freshmen and six sophomores and juniors who are junior varsity players.

The East Palestine girls just started their season on Jan. 11. After a 3-0 start, the Bulldogs have to pause their season again.

The Lisbon girls are off until a Feb. 1 game at Columbiana.

The Lowellville boys, who played at Columbiana on Tuesday, also had a player test positive.

Columbiana coach Todd Johnson said the player didn’t play against the Clippers, so it will not affect their schedule.

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