Crown Point envisions another deep postseason run. But the start of its potential journey has been delayed.

On Monday, Crown Point announced its varsity and junior varsity teams had entered quarantine because of the coronavirus pandemic, with one positive COVID-19 case and subsequent contact tracing.

Practices have been canceled through Nov. 18, according to a news release from athletic director Bill Dorulla, and the Bulldogs’ first three games — including their season opener against Bishop Noll on Tuesday — were called off. Dorulla said all three games already have been rescheduled for December.

Crown Point moved up to No. 4 in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association state poll this week. The Bulldogs have gone undefeated in back-to-back regular seasons, reaching a Class 4A regional semifinal last season after a semistate appearance in 2019.

Coach Chris Seibert referred questions to Dorulla.

“We have to do what’s best for the athletes and keep them safe,” Dorulla said. “That’s all we can do.

“We’re just trying to navigate through it. We have to deal with it and do the best we can. Things will get better for us when we go virtual and we can manage a little better. We have to deal with contact tracing when the kids come to school.”

Crown Point transitioned to remote learning on Wednesday. It had started the academic year with a hybrid model before shifting to in-person learning — with about 75% of the high school’s students choosing that option — in late October.

Crown Point joined several other girls basketball teams in Northwest Indiana that have had to at least temporarily pause activities because of issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. That group includes at least Hebron, Lake Central, Merrillville, Morgan Township, North Newton, Portage, River Forest, Valparaiso and Westville.

Morgan Township, for one, called off its first four games, resuming practice Monday. The Cherokees won a Class 1A sectional title last season after also winning both the Porter County Conference round-robin and tournament titles.

“It’s a good thing we have a quality core group coming back,” coach Rick Budka said. “We might not have everything put in until after Thanksgiving.”

Lake Central missed the first week of official practice and opened its season with two games on Saturday. Coach Joe Huppenthal summed up the approach to the situation.

“We’re just going to take it day by day,” he said.

Dorulla acknowledged the challenges the winter season presents compared to the fall. He doesn’t think swimming and gymnastics would prove overly problematic, but basketball and wrestling could have issues.

“When we were in the fall, everything was played outside except volleyball, and that’s not a contact sport,” Dorulla said. “We had hiccups, quarantines, but it was all manageable. I would call it a very successful fall season. We got in seven football games, and the other teams finished their seasons with most of their games and meets.

“Moving to the winter with basketball and wrestling, where there’s obviously a lot of contact, especially wrestling, and it’s inside, it stands to reason those are going to be more difficult.”

Still, he expressed confidence.

“Eliminating having to do contact tracing from the school day helps, and the coaches are vigilant with athletes wearing masks when they’re not playing and keeping them apart,” Dorulla said. “We have to keep everyone safe.

“We’ll have some hiccups — these probably aren’t going to be the last games we have to reschedule — but we’ll get the winter season in. I try to remain optimistic. Some folks think there’s no way we can do it. But with the precautions we’re taking, we’re going to get the winter season in.”