The brackets have been released for next week?s Trojan Classic basketball tournament in Hillsboro?and it?s no place to be if a team is seeking some easy wins to pad it?s won-loss record.
?It looks like a very competitive tournament, especially on the girls? side,? said Robert Rempel, tournament director.
Six of the eight girls? teams are ranked among the top six teams in the state in their respective classification, including three top-ranked teams. Five teams are undefeated.
Hillsboro (8-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, Hesston (7-0) holds the top spot in 3A and Wamego (7-0) leads the pack in Class 4A-Division I.
Meanwhile, Riley County is No. 2 in 3A and Holcomb is No. 4. Goodland ranks sixth in Class 4A-Division 2.
Completing the girls? eight-team field are Thomas More Prep (2-5) and Republic County (2-6).
Sporting the best record, Hillsboro, the defending champion, enjoys the top seed in the girls? tournament. The Trojans will open play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against No. 8 Republic County (2-6).
With a win, Hillsboro would advance to the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the winner of the first-round game between Riley County and Holcomb.
The boys? field isn?t quite as lofty, but has three teams with one loss or less: Hess?ton (7-0), ranked No. 2 in 3A; Hillsboro (7-1), No. 5 in 2A; and unranked Holcomb (6-1). Also in the field are Wamego (4-3), Republic County (4-4), TMP (3-4), Goodland (3-5) and Riley County (2-5).
Hillsboro is seeded No. 2 behind Hesston and will open play at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Good?land. A win would put Hillsboro in the semifinals against the winner of Holcomb and TMP at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Tournament finals will be played on Saturday, beginning with the seventh-place games at 11:30 a.m.
