Players for the Nashua South-Pelham hockey team loosen up, wearing masks, at a practice last month. High school practices around the area resumed for many schools on Monday. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – They’re back.

Their holiday hiatus is over, as area high school teams resumed practicing on Monday.

Most teams and athletic programs went on pause on Dec. 24, fearful that holiday travel would cause addition exposure during the pandemic.

But now they have returned, and the NHIAA’s plan announced months ago is allowing competition to begin next Monday, Jan. 11.

Most of the Division I schools, however, won’t begin competiton until a week from Friday, on Jan. 15.

Practices had begun around the state on Dec. 14, giving programs 10 days before the holiday break. Of course, during a normal year, most teams would have already begun their seasons in mid-December, and competed in holiday tournaments during the Christmas break.

But actually, under the current format, some teams have more preseason prep time. That’s what Bishop Guertin girls basketball coach Brad Kreick discovered.

“I was with (assistant coach) Kyle Tave and we were counting the days on the calendar,” Kreick said. “We actually have more days to practice leading up to the start of the season than we ever have before.”

The Cardinals open up at Nashua South on Jan. 15, while the BG boys will host the Panthers the same night.

One school that is not practicing is Souhegan, which went on an administration ordered pause for sports activities until at least the middle of this month. Thus the Nashua North-Souhegan co-op hockey team isn’t scheduled to start the season until Feb. 1

Swimming and wrestling will also take place at most schools, with some limited meets. Most Division I schools are only playing one hockey game and have one wrestling match per week.

The rules from state to state have also had an impact. For example, Bishop Guertin boys and girls hockey have called Skate 3 in Tyngsborough, Mass. their home for years. But this year, due to quarantine rules crossing state lines, the Cards have gotten ice time at Cyclones Arena in Hudson.

Most schools – all of Division I – are not scrimmaging until the regular season competition begins.

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