Photo: Preston Jackson-Stephens, Belmont High senior

After an abbreviated fall season, Belmont High sports returns to open the 2021 winter sports season as basketball and ice hockey dominate the schedule on Saturday, Jan. 2.

Like the Fall 1 season, the Middlesex League league has limited the season to 10 games with Belmont playing back to back games with the five opponents in the Liberty division. The season starts against Lexington High with return fixtures next Saturday.

Unlike the fall season which allowed a limited number of observers as the games were played outdoors, spectators will be prohibited from viewing the matches in rinks, basketball courts and indoor tracks. Most games will be available online via community-based media.

Belmont returns four playoff teams in basketball and hockey with boys’ ice hockey named Division 1 state co-champions (with Walpole) after the title game was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.