High school basketball: Nationally-televised matchup between Bronny James and Arch Manning canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within Sierra Canyon program

Bronny James and Arch Manning, two of the most well-known athletes in high school sports, were scheduled to meet Friday in basketball showcase game between Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and Newman (New Orleans) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. That contest joined a growing list of COVID-19 cancellations Wednesday.

The game, which was slated to be broadcast by ESPN2, will not be rescheduled according to a press release distributed by the Paragon Marketing Group.

The development will come as a disappointment to many fans looking forward to seeing the Class of 2023 stars collide. Manning is high school football's No. 1-ranked recruit in the junior class while James is regarded as a top 50 basketball prospect.

Sierra Canyon (14-1) is ranked No. 4 in the latest MaxPreps Top 25 but were forced to cancel all three games scheduled this week due to COVID-19 protocols within the program. The Trailblazers are expected to return to the court next week at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions from Jan. 13-15 in Springfield, Mo.

Governing bodies, coaches and athletic directors around the country have been scrambling to address and schedule around the uptick in virus cases.

The California Interscholastic Federation temporarily suspended a bylaw that forbids member schools from competing on Sundays. That gives teams an extra day on the calendar to potentially reschedule contests.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is receiving praise from its member schools for not suspending play despite please from state officials to do so.

According to NFHS Executive Director Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, masks are required for indoor sports in Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Rhode Island. In some states, masks are not required during competition.