Area schools return to the hardwood tonight with exception on Sacred Heart who has an off date. Coverage of high school basketball begins at 5:30 p.m. on KSAL with the Central Kansas Basketball Roundup and tonight's featured coach is Steve Crist of Lincoln.

Salina Central @ McPherson

Sports Radio 1150 - KSAL

5:45 pregame/ 6:00 tipoff

The Salina Central Mustangs head down the Interstate to battle the McPherson Bullpups in what is sure to be one of the most entertaining match-ups in the area. In the girls game, McPherson has taken last year's young team and turned into a state title contender, with the Lady Bullpups playing better basketball now than they were even earlier this season. The biggest challenge for the Lady Mustangs will be handling the full court pressure of McPherson, but if they can do that they should be able to get the ball inside to their post players. In the boys game, Central needs to bounce back from two straight losses as they play one of the highest scoring teams in the state. McPherson could be a little less potent tonight though, as standout guard Jack Pyle may not play tonight, meaning Central only has to contend with one twenty point scorer, instead of two.

Salina South vs. Valley Center

Y 93.7

5:50 pregame/ 6:00 tipoff

The Salina South Cougars will remain in Salina for the second straight game as they host the Valley Center Hornets. In the girls game, Valley Center has struggled to score points all year long, so if South can establish Taylor Goodness and Sally Thompson on the inside this game could get out of control early. In the boys game South is coming off their third win of the season while Valley Center is mired in a seven game losing streak. Both teams have three wins on the year, presenting South with a golden opportunity to win two straight for the first time this year.

Ell-Saline @ Hutchinson Trinity

Oldies Radio 98.5.

5:50 pregame/ 6:00 tipoff

The Ell-Saline Lady Cardinals were able to knock off Trinity in the season opener 50-44 and tonight these two young teams will see just how much progress they have both made since early in the season. On the boys side, the Heart of America League has been tough on the Cardinal boys and things will not be any easier tonight as Trinity is sitting in third place in the league standings.

Here is a look at the rest of the area games tonight:

Minneapolis @ Southeast of Saline

Hope vs. Chase County

Bennington vs. Berean Academy

Ellsworth vs. Republic County

Solomon vs. Centre

St. John's Military vs. Newton Christian

Chapman vs. Concordia

Abilene vs. Wamego

Smoky Valley vs. Lyons

Lincoln @ Natoma