By JAMIE HULL CatchItKanas.com CatchitKansas.com

11:00 a.m. EST, January 3, 2013
WICHITA, Kan.—

Christmas has come and gone, and we have invited the start of a brand new year. The celebrating isn’t quite over however, as it is time for our fifth Catch It Kansas Classic. Tomorrow teams will face off for the first time in 2013 at Hartman Arena and Charles Koch Arena. 

Five wins between four teams: Wichita South to face Arkansas City

The 5-1 Wichita South girls’ basketball team will take on the Ark City Lady Bulldogs in the first game of the classic, Friday at 3:30PM inside Hartman Arena. It may be early in the season, but the Lady Titans look strong entering the classic. 

South has a four-game winning streak, and averaged 51 points per game in 2012. In games against fellow city league opponents, South was successful against Bishop Carroll, Northwest, West, and North, with their only loss coming against defending 5A state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel. 

Ark City has struggled this season allowing an average of 64 points per game, but the beginning of a new year could mean a refresh for the Lady Bulldogs. Ark City is in search of its first win on the season as they have fallen to opponents Valley Center, Maize South, and Andover in recent weeks.

The Ark City boys’ basketball team is also looking to change gears in 2013. The Bulldogs did not win in the six games they competed in 2012, but their first game in the Catch It Kansas Classic will be against a likewise 0-6 Wichita South team.

Both the Titans and the Bulldogs have given up an average of 62 points per game, but only one will record their first win of the season after this match up.

West Side Braggin' Rights: Maize Eagles versus Northwest Grizzles

The Maize Eagles boys’ team is entering the classic with a 1-4 record having lost the first four games of their 2012-2013 season. Maize picked up its first win against Campus in the game just before the holiday break.

The Eagles will face Salina South tonight in an AVCTL Div I game, and will begin the Catch It Kansas Classic against Wichita Northwest on Friday at 5:15PM inside Charles Koch Arena. 

The Northwest Grizzlies have one more win than the Eagles, but are on a two-game losing streak since week four with losses against tough city league opponents Wichita East and Wichita Heights.

The Wichita Northwest girls will face the Maize High Lady Eagles at 3:30PM on Friday at Charles Koch Arena.  Maize is undefeated this season averaging 54 points per game. The closest game so far was also its first game of the season in a victory over Andover 53-47.

The Northwest Grizzlies began their season with two consecutive wins, but since then have struggled to keep up the streak. The Grizzlies fell to Wichita South in week three, and have picked up a win against Wichita East and a loss against defending 6A state champion Wichita Heights.

Offensive powerhouses with defensive struggles: The Golden Eagles meet the Lions

The Bishop Carroll boys’ team has an uncharacteristic three losses so far this season. It is impressive to average 58 points a game, but the Golden Eagles have also given up an average of 56. Carroll is a force to be reckoned with, and proved so in a fife-overtime loss against defending 5A state champion Kapaun Mt. Carmel on December 14th.

Goddard has one win sandwiched between four losses this season. The Lions were unsuccessful in every home game in 2012, but picked up a win at Maize South on December 7th. The Goddard Lions will play the Golden Eagles on Friday at Harman Arena at 8:45PM.

Similarly, the girls’ team at Bishop Carroll holds a 2-3 record with losses to Wichita Heights, Wichita South, and Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Carroll scores an average of 46 points while allowing an average of 44. They are off to a slow start this season, but the challenge ahead is starting the classic against a team with a point to prove.

The 0-5 Goddard girls are hungry for their first win of the season, and have struggled to put up more than 20 points per game. The Lions and the Golden Eagles will face off at 7:00PM inside Hartman Arena.

Dominance for one, rocky start for others: Hutchinson to compete with Wichita Heights

The Wichita Heights Lady Falcons are 5-0, and more impressively, 55-0 since December 3, 2010. The Lady Falcons average 69 points so far this season, allowing an average of only 31.

Hutchinson will have its work cut out for them as they enter the classic 1-5.  Heights and Hutchinson will meet at 7:00PM at Charles Koch Arena.

The Hutchinson Salthawks boys’ team has wins against Maize and Campus. They will face a fellow two-win team in the Heights Falcons at 8:45PM at Charles Koch Arena on Friday. The Falcons score an average of 53 points while allowing 54, but are also the four-time defending 6A State Champion.

CatchItKansas.com will have complete coverage from both arenas on Friday and Saturday. Chech back throughout the day for stories, photos & videos, or follow us on Twitter (@catchitkansas) for updates throughout the weekend.