Six Must-See Basketball Matchups

It may be hard to believe, but the winter sports season is already 10 weeks old.

As the long season continues on, now is the time when teams begin to pull ahead. The conference races are already starting to shape up, and that will continue this week. It's not quite the playoffs, but they're getting closer.

Here are some games to watch this week around St. Charles County. 

• Who: (Boys basketball) Lutheran vs. Orchard Farm 
• When/Where: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at home 
• Why the big deal?: The Lutheran boys might not be too excited to take a step away from conference play. The Cougars are 4-1 in the AAA this season, but will take on Orchard Farm on Friday night in a non-conference tilt.

• Who: (Boys basketball) Howell North vs. Parkway North
• When/Where: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational
• Why the big deal?: The Knights boys basketball team is just 5-11 on the year, but can greatly improve that record with a good showing at the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational. Howell North will open up play at the tourney on Tuesday against non-conference foe Parkway North.

• Who: (Boys basketball) Duchesne vs. St. Charles West
• When/Where: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at home
• Why the big deal?: Duchesne sits atop the GAC North with a spotless 3-0 record. On Friday, the Pioneers will put that record to the test in a battle with St. Charles West (0-2 in GAC action).

Orchard Farm

• Who: (Boys basketball) Orchard Farm vs. Barat Academy
• When/Where: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Barat
• Why the big deal?: The Orchard Farm boys will get a chance to pick up win No. 10 in the first game of the week. The Eagles (9-5) will hit the road for a non-confernce game against Barat Academy on Tuesday. 

• Who: (Girls basketball) St. Charles vs. Oakville
• When/Where: 7 p.m. on  Monday, Jan. 23 at the Lindbergh Tournament
• Why the big deal?: The St. Charles girls basketball team will start the week off with an opening-round game in the Lindbergh Tournament. The Lady Pirates, 12-5 on the season, will take on Oakville in the opener. 

• Who: (Girls basketball) St. Charles West vs. St. Dominic
• When/Where: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, at home
• Why the big deal?: The St. Charles West girls will have a quiet week with just one game on the schedule. That game, a non-conference matchup against St. Dominic, will be played on Thursday.

Bonus:

• Who: (Wrestling) Fort Zumwalt North at the Howell North Tournament
• When/Where: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Francis Howell North
• Why the big deal?: The Zumwalt North wrestling team will hit the mat just once this week, but it won't be for an ordinary dual. The Panthers will head to St. Charles for the Howell North Tournament filled with local schools.