A tournament staffer who worked at last weekend’s 3A/4A Hardwood Classic state basketball tournament in Tacoma has tested positive for COVID-19, the WIAA announced on Friday, March 13.

The tournaments drew in top high school basketball programs from throughout the state, including two teams from Federal Way. The Federal Way Eagles boys basketball team faced Mount Si at the WIAA 4A Hardwood Classic quarterfinals game on March 5. The Eagles also played against Sumner during the championships in an elimination game on March 6.

In addition, the Todd Beamer Titans girls basketball team played at the Dome all four days of the tournament.

The Titans won 57-41 against Union at the Dome on March 4, then lost 57-50 against Woodinville on March 5 to put Todd Beamer into a consolation bracket. Refusing to give up, the Titans beat Chiawana 51-41 on March 6, followed by a 67-56 loss to Issaquah to secure sixth place in state on March 7.

The WIAA has been in contact with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and, because the individual became symptomatic after the tournament, health officials have deemed the situation to be a low risk for those involved with the event, according to a press release from WIAA.

Because the individual first showed symptoms on March 9, it has been deemed by health officials that the earliest the individual may have been contagious is Saturday, March 7.

The WIAA could not provide additional details regarding the tournament worker’s position or identity, said WIAA Sports and Activities Information Director Casey Johnson.

In an abundance of caution, the Health Department has recommended the WIAA notify those people that may have been in close contact with the individual to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 over the course of the next eight days and WIAA staff has been in communication with those relevant groups. To date, the WIAA has not been notified of any other individuals involved in the tournament showing symptoms of the virus, the press release continues.

The WIAA has been working closely with the State Department of Health both prior to and during the State Basketball Championships and will continue to seek guidance from health experts regarding upcoming spring events.