The Jefferson City Lady Jays have added a little more basketball fun to their holidays.
In addition to their annual appearance in the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational, the Lady Jays will make an appearance in the Capital City Shootout at Fleming Fieldhouse.
"It's great to get another game on our home court and not have to get on a bus for a long trip," Lady Jays coach Brad Conway said Wednesday during a press conference for the two events at Joe Machens Ford. "We're looking forward to it."
Jefferson City, ranked No. 4 in Class 5 in the latest Missouri Basketball Coaches Association's state poll released Wednesday, will face Rockwood Summit at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17.
"It should be a good game against a quality opponent," Conway said.
The Lady Jays will then take part in the eight-team Invitational from Dec. 28-30 at Helias, opening against the Eureka Lady Wildcats.
"It's another great field," Conway said. "It's going to be an interesting three days for everybody in the tournament."
The Helias Lady Crusaders are happy to be playing at home at Rackers Fieldhouse during the holidays in the Invitational.
"It's great to get the chance to play three quality teams and not have to leave our home floor," Lepper said. "It's great for Helias to be a part of this."
Helias is slated to open against St. Joseph Benton, who returns after winning the Invitational title on its way to the Class 4 state championship last season. Benton is ranked No. 1 in Class 4 this season.
"It's just typical of our schedule this year, it's full of tough games and that will be nothing new for us," Lepper said.
The Lady Crusaders want to use the tournament as a springboard for the remainder of the season.
"We want to get better every game, every game that we are pushed the more comfortable we will get as we look down the road this season," Lepper said.
Also back in the Invitational are Hickman, Blue Springs South and Alton, Ill. The new team in the 2016 field is Quincy, Ill.