Not long after Gov. Tom Wolf announced all schools in Pennsylvania would be closed for the rest of the academic year, the PIAA — the state's governing athletic body — announced the remainder of the winter sports season and the spring sports season were canceled.

“Today's decision by the PIAA board of directors was difficult for everyone,” said PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert A. Lombardi in a statement released at 3 p.m. Thursday. “Their thoughts remain on the thousands of student-athletes, coaches, officials and family members affected by this decision.”

The announcement was a blow for Butler County athletes who still were holding out hope to play again this year.

The Butler boys and North Catholic boys and girls basketball teams were still alive in the PIAA basketball playoffs.

Butler County also had a number of swimmers set to compete in the PIAA 2A swimming and diving championships.

Spring sports also were canceled.

“We had maintained hope for a continuation of our winter championships and an abbreviated spring season to help bring a sense of normalcy to our communities,” Lombardi said in the statement.

As of Thursday, 17 states have canceled sports seasons in a similar fashion.