It’s “Merry Christmas!” then back to work for Little Illini Conference girls basketball teams. All eight schools are engaged in holiday tournaments somewhere this weekend, with six events in particular drawing our attention.

Robinson (3-8) gets to stay at home, as the Lady Maroons host the Holidaze Hoopla tourney. They play Shiloh first on Saturday at 10 a.m. Casey-Westfield (8-6) is in the field there as well. The Warriors meet Shakamak, Ind. in the first round.

Newton (7-5) and Lawrenceville (4-7) head for Fairfield and the Merry Mule  Tournament starting on Friday. They will both play twice in pool play that day. Newton draws Wayne City and Mt. Vernon, Ind. on the first day, while Lawrenceville faces Woodlawn and Flora.

Mt. Carmel (9-4) and Olney (7-3) are both entered at the Benton Christmas Classic, with play beginning on Friday. Olney plays Carbondale first, while Mt. Carmel waits until Saturday morning to debut. The Lady Aces received a first-round bye in the 14-team tournament, and will face the winner of Friday’s Salem vs. Mt. Vernon game.

Marshall (3-5) makes its’ post-Christmas debut on Saturday afternoon against Brownstown-St. Elmo in the Dieterich Holiday Tournament. Meanwhile, Paris (8-2)  hits the road for the prestigious State Farm Classic in Bloomington-Normal, a 64-team coed tourney staged at multiple sites in the area. The Tigers face Olympia in the first round on Friday afternoon.

Please consult our Facebook page for scores and updated schedules involving league teams. Good luck to our teams and athletes!

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, Dec. 26
Newton vs. Wayne City at Merry Mule Tournament (Fairfield), 11:30 a.m.
Paris vs. Olympia at State Farm Classic (Bloomington-Normal), 1:30 p.m.
Lawrenceville vs. Woodlawn at Merry Mule Tournament (Fairfield), 3:00 p.m.
Newton vs. Mt. Vernon at Merry Mule Tournament (Fairfield), 3:00 p.m.
Olney vs. Carbondale at Benton Christmas Classic, 4:30 p.m.
Lawrenceville vs. Flora at Merry Mule Tournament (Fairfield), 6:00 p.m.

Saturday,Dec. 27
Mt. Carmel vs. Salem-Mt.Vernon winner at Benton Christmas Classic, 9:00 a.m.
Robinson vs. Shiloh at Robinson Holidaze Hoopla, 10:00 a.m.
Casey-Westfield vs. Shakamak at Robinson Holidaze Hoopla, 1:00 p.m.
Marshall vs. Brownstown-St.Elmo at Dieterich Holiday Tournament, 4:00 p.m.
Lawrenceville, Newton at Merry Mule Tournament (Fairfield)
Olney at Benton Christmas Classic
Paris at State Farm Classic (Bloomington-Normal)