It’s time to put away the Christmas sweaters and breakout the basketball jerseys. The long holiday break is over and many area teams are returning to the court after a two-plus week layoff.

For many of the city schools the holiday break unexpectedly started early as their Dec. 21-22 games were canceled, meaning most haven’t played since mid-December.

Featured boys’ and girls’ games tonight include Harper Creek at Marshall, Lakeview at Coldwater and Schoolcraft at Pennfield. The Redhawk girls’ enter tonight’s game 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the SMAC East, while the boys are 4-1 overall, 3-1 in conference.

St. Philip’s boys’ team notched a win last night to remain perfect while the girls’ team hosts Litchfield tonight, also looking to remain perfect on the young season.

Unbeaten Climax-Scotts (5-0) travels to Jackson Christian in boys’ hoops. The Panthers girls’ team won easily last night.

BCC’s boys’ team, who went 2-0 at its annual its holiday tournament, is idle today and returns to action on Monday when it travels to Holt. The Bearcats (5-1) next home game is Jan. 18 against Harper Creek.

Gull Lake boys’, responsible for the Bearcats’ lone loss, and girls’ teams visit Sturgis tonight.