High School

Parents, fans happy to be back in stands as high school basketball winds down

MARS, Pa. — One of the changes made by Gov. Tom Wolf allowed fans to return to sporting events, a move that has parents of student-athletes pretty happy.

“We are thrilled. We are just able to go the playoffs. It’s a big deal,” Maria Sfanos said.

She has two kids on the Mars basketball team, Mihali and Tasso.

“It’s bittersweet. It could be the last time they’ll ever play together,” she said. “The vibe is just different. You get to cheer them on. It’s just different being in a gym.”

The first playoff game was being held Wednesday night. All the players and coaches were going to be on one side of the court while all the fans would be spaced out on the bleachers across the gym.

With Wolf’s announcement, fans were capped at 15% of the gym’s capacity.

“We are able to let a few more people in to our game,” said Mars Athletic Director Scott Heinauer.

That means about 120 people would be allowed in for the game against Franklin Regional.