For sports fans, the approaching holiday season can mean only one thing — prep basketball tournament time.

Eight Mid-Valley high schools will host tournaments over the next three days, with Faith Christian putting on both girls and boys tourneys.

Leading the pack will be the 48th annual Wheatland Invitational, which includes Butte View League rivals Wheatland and Sutter along with Golden Empire League foes Marysville and Lindhurst.

With the addition of Highlands and Capital Christian, the tournament welcomes in four teams from the GEL.

"We had to split them up to make sure they didn't play in the first round," Wheatland coach Jim Vossler said about the GEL teams. "And we obviously didn't want to play Sutter since we play them twice in league, so we put them on the opposite side of the bracket."

The Blazers open the tournament against Paradise at 4 p.m., with the winner advancing to face either Marysville or the host Pirates on Friday. The Huskies play Highlands in the final game of the evening and the victor will move on to face the winner of the Lincoln-Capital Christian game in the second round.

Pierce Invitational

Five local teams will hit the hardwood in Arbuckle to take part in the 42nd annual Pierce Invitational.

Defending champion Corning will open the tourney against Live Oak and will be followed by tournament newcomer River Valley and Colusa.

The Bears, who fell to the Cardinals in last year's championship game, will play Biggs in the first round with the winner playing either Willows or Winters.

Pierce coach Scott Burnham said that Corning returns a couple starters from last year's team and should be strong again and added that River Valley could make some noise as the tournament's largest school.

Faith Christian Holiday Classic

The host Lions and East Nicolaus will be the only local schools competing in the 11th annual Faith Christian Holiday Classic, a four-team round robin tournament.

Faith Christian is the defending champion and will face Foresthill on day one. The Spartans open the tournament against Stockton Christian.

GIRLS

Lady Bulldog Holiday Classic

The two-time defending tournament champion Bulldogs lead three local squads into the Lady Bulldog Holiday Classic at Farmer's Hall in Gridley.

The host team opens the tournament against Hamilton, while Marysville plays Las Plumas in another first round matchup.

Oroville will take on Fremont of Oakland at 7 p.m. and River Valley will play Paradise in the nightcap.

"Looking at the teams, it should be a good tournament," said Gridley coach Michelle LaViolette. "I'm excited. There should be some pretty good ball."

Colusa Redskin Classic

Four local teams will make their way to Colusa to take part in the Colusa Redskin Classic.

Wheatland opens tournament play against Dixon and will be followed by Champion Christian and Clear Lake at 5:30 p.m.

Lindhurst will take on Durham at 7 p.m. and Sutter will challenge the host Redskins in the final game of the evening.

McLaughlin Tournament

Biggs will welcome seven teams, including Colusa County schools Pierce and Williams, into town for the long-running McLaughlin Tournament.

Mercy and Quincy open the tourney at 4 p.m. and will be followed by Williams and Portola. The host Wolverines entertain Herlong at 7 p.m. and Pierce will play Chester in the nightcap.

Lois Langford Invitational

Host Live Oak will be the only Mid-Valley team to compete in the Betty's Restaurant Lois Langford Invitational.

Orland and Valley Christian open tournament play at 4 p.m. and will be followed by neighboring Willows and Corning at 5:30 p.m.

The Lions play the last game of the evening against Central Valley at 8:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to play either Modesto's Central Catholic or Winters on day two.

Faith Christian Holiday Classic

East Nicolaus and the host Lions will entertain two out-of-area teams at the 11th annual Faith Christian Holiday Classic.

The Spartans open the four-team round robin against Worth Hill Christian of Vallejo at 3:30 p.m. and Faith Christian plays Foresthill at 6:30 p.m.

First Round Breakdown

BOYS

Wheatland Invitational

Lindhurst vs. Paradise, 4 p.m.

Lincoln vs. Capital Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Wheatland vs. Marysville, 7 p.m.

Sutter vs. Highlands, 8:30 p.m.

Pierce Invitational

Live Oak vs. Corning, 3:30 p.m.

River Valley vs. Colusa, 5 p.m.

Pierce vs. Biggs, 6:30 p.m.

Willows vs. Winters, 8 p.m.

Faith Christian Holiday Classic

East Nicolaus vs. Stockton Christian, 5 p.m.

Faith Christian vs. Foresthill, 8 p.m.

GIRLS

Lady Bulldog Holiday Classic

Marysville vs. Las Plumas, 4 p.m.

Gridley vs. Hamilton, 5:30 p.m.

Oroville vs. Freemont (Oakland), 7 p.m.

River Valley vs. Paradise, 8:30 p.m.

Colusa Redskin Classic

Dixon vs. Wheatland, 4 p.m.

Champion Christian vs. Clearlake, 5:30 p.m.

Durham vs. Lindhurst, 7 p.m.

Sutter vs. Colusa, 8:30 p.m.

McLaughlin Tournament

Mercy vs. Quincy, 4 p.m.

Williams vs. Portola, 5:30 p.m.

Biggs vs. Herlong, 7 p.m.

Pierce vs. Chester, 8:30 p.m.

Lois Langford Invitational

Orland vs. Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

Willows vs. Corning, 5:30 p.m.

Central Catholic vs. Winters, 7 p.m.

Live Oak vs. Central Valley, 8:30 p.m.

Faith Christian Holiday Classic

East Nicolaus vs. Worth Hill Christian (Vallejo), 3:30 p.m.

Faith Christian vs. Foresthill, 6:30 p.m.