Neosho Holiday Tourney Starts Dec. 26

The McDonald County Boys Basketball team opens play in the talent-laden 2016 Neosho Holiday Classic against North Little Rock at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Neosho High School.

McDonald County, along with the host Wildcats and East Newton, are the only local teams. Other schools in the 16-team boys division include Wesley Christian (Allen, Ky.), Wooddale (Memphis, Tenn.), Springdale (Ark.) Har-ber, Kansas City Ruskin, Life Prep Academy (Wichita, Kan.), Morrilton, Ark., Dekaney (Houston, Texas), Maumelle, Ark., Van Buren, Ark., West Memphis, St. Joseph Lafayette and Cedar Ridge.

The winner of the Mustangs and North Little Rock game advances to the quarterfinals to take on the winner of Life Prep Academy and Morrilton at 5 p.m. Dec. 28 at Neosho High School. The losers of those two games fall to the consolation bracket and will play at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 28 at Neosho Middle School.

The tournament finals are set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30.

The McDonald County Lady Mustangs open play against Van Buren Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m. at Neosho Middle School.

The eight-team girls division includes Neosho, Forrest City, Ark., St. Joseph Central, Cedar Ridge, Bentonville and St. Joseph Lafayette.

The winner of the Lady Mustangs and Van Buren game advances to the semifinals to play the winner of Bentonville and St. Joseph Lafayette at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Neosho Middle School. The two losers play at 10:30 Dec. 29 at Neosho Middle School.

The championship game is set for 5 p.m. Dec. 30 at Neosho High School.