Now that the holidays have passed, several basketball teams from Northwest Arkansas will attempt to end the year on a high note — assuming the weather cooperates.

Players will try to get back into a groove at the Neosho Holiday Classic, which has become a regular stop in late December for a handful of local teams.

Bentonville boys basketball coach Jason McMahan understands there could be some challenges when his team resumes its season at 12:30 p.m. today against Neosho, Mo., in the tournament’s opening round.

The Tigers (7-2) weren’t expected to practice on Christmas, and the early tipoff means they won’t get in more than a quick shootaround before they return to the floor this afternoon.

“We built our team to be able to do that and play the way we play with pressure defense and continuity on offense,” McMahan said. “I think we will be ready for that challenge, and it is what it is.”

Of course, snow could make things difficult for both of Bentonville’s teams as well as Springdale High’s girls team. Neosho is a 59-mile drive from Springdale, and there was a chance Neosho could get hit by a winter storm expected to pass through the Midwest.

Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker said Tuesday afternoon her team’s travel plans hadn’t been affected yet by the possible snow.

Bentonville will attempt to be the first boys team from Northwest Arkansas to win the Neosho Holiday Classic since Fayetteville won it in 2003 and Springdale took the title the following year in 2004.

So what is McMahan’s opinion on facing host Neosho on the first day of the four-day tournament?

“I really don’t know because I haven’t seen them play,” McMahan said. “I’ll make a few phone calls, and I have an email out to a guy right now to try and find out something (on Neosho).”

The Neosho Holiday Classic will give Bentonville and Springdale a chance to face unfamiliar teams from mostly Missouri and tune up for the start of the 7A/6A-West Conference. The tournament begins today and wraps up Saturday night with the championship games.

Bentonville (9-0) enters the girls side of the bracket looking to win the tournament for a third consecutive year. The Lady Tigers remain undefeated after last week’s 58-24 win over Pea Ridge, and they’ll try to keep it going when they begin tournament play at 4:30 p.m. today against East Newton, Mo.

The boys will play a conventional tournament-style bracket, while the girls will play a classic format with predetermined opponents through the first three days.