High school athletes who play winter sports in Arizona won’t get to finish their seasons this year. Officials say low hospital capacity due to the pandemic drove a decision to cancel the games.

A high school basketball player might hurt their ankle and need surgery. What if they couldn’t get it due to no hospital beds or a doctor who specializes in reattaching ligaments?

The potential for a scenario like this stirred worry on the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s medical committee. It advised the executive board to cancel winter seasons.

In a prepared statement, the chair of the medical committee said it's members could not in “good conscience” advocate that high school winter sports go on.

Spring sports are scheduled to start March 1. Whether they are played depends on if hospital capacity in Arizona improves.