The battle over high school sports may be settled for now in Michigan, but there’s a new issue emerging because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of referees are choosing to stay on the sidelines and sitting it out, at least for now, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will have to work around it. He said that’s worst-case scenario because the MHSAA is determined to let student athletes play despite officials being down in Michigan by about 30%. Scott Waldendowski -- who officiates in the Macomb Area Conference -- said he sees firsthand there’s a lot of work for officials like himself. READ: Michigan high school basketball, hockey players have to wear masks during gamesDue to the shortage, MHSAA is currently hiring.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has clarified its rules for concession stands at high school sporting events. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that youth contact sports would be allowed to return this week. Under the current MDHHS order, food and beverages are permitted only where people can be separated by at least six feet. MHSAA is following the same rules for concession stands at Michigan high school sporting events. Any concession stand that can comply with those MDHHS orders is allowed to open during competition.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association revealed its rules for spectators at high school basketball, hockey, wrestling and cheer competitions. In facilities with fixed seating of more than 10,000 people, the maximum number of spectators allowed is 500. In facilities with fixed seating of under 10,000 people, the maximum number of spectators allowed is 250. If a facility has no fixed seating, such as an ice rink with out bleachers, the maximum number of spectators allowed is 100. Sideline cheerleaders, dance team members, pompon squads, pep bands and any other non-competing organization that attends a game must be counted toward the total number of spectators, MHSAA announced.

Michigan high school basketball and ice hockey players will be required to wear masks at all times, even during games. Competitive cheer participants will have to wear masks during meets, as well. School districts have the right to only hire game officials who wear masks at all times, regardless of medical exceptions, MHSAA announced. Competitive cheer has been deemed a non-contact sport, but all participants still have to wear masks under the same rules outlined above. Michigan high school wrestlers must produce a negative rapid antigen test the day before or the day of each meet or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of competition.

YPSILANTI, Mich. Emoni Bates, a forward for Ypsilanti Lincoln High School and the top player in the class of 2022 has verbally committed to Michigan State as of now. He stressed as of now due to the ever-changing rules of eligibility for players to go to the NBA right out of high school, options to go to the G League or even the chance to play professionally overseas. As a high school freshman, Bates led Lincoln High to its first state championship, then led it to a 19-3 record and a spot in the District 18 state tournament final against Ann Arbor Huron. Bates also announced his plans to attend a prep school ran by his father for his last two years of high school. They plan on playing a national schedule against the best high school teams in the country.