LUXEMBURG, Wis. (NBC 26) — Due to attendance restrictions, gyms are half empty and "so quiet you can almost hear the audience talking."
There is no jump ball. Players are wearing masks.
This is high school basketball in a pandemic. In Wisconsin, the boys season is now into its second week. Most programs - like Luxemburg-Casco - are off to a smooth start, but uncertainty lies ahead.
"Our focus is on them winning a conference championship because you just don't know what the future holds," Spartans head coach Tyler Thrune said. "The only championship we might play for is a conference championship."
The WIAA is hopeful to have a tournament this march, but a typical state final four at the Kohl Center appears unlikely.
"Growing up and coming to the games and watching the older generations play and watching them play in the playoffs... it's tough because we might not have that opportunity," senior guard Ryan Robillard said. "But the biggest thing is just taking it game by game."
Another opportunity that could be taken away, but the Spartans are grateful just for the chance to play this season.
"Gratitude (is the most important lesson to take from this season)," Thrune said. "Nothing is guaranteed. Anything can be taken away at any moment."
"Just be grateful for the opportunities that you have," he said. "That's a huge lesson that's been learned by everybody."
He added that it's important to have perspective and put high school sports "in the right scheme of things" for students.
"There's a lot of people that are struggling and are being put in tough positions with COVID," Robillard added. "And we are truly grateful for all the opportunities and that we can still play basketball."
The Spartans are off to a 2-0 start after wins over Fox Valley Lutheran and Denmark.