But that extended time off appeared to benefit Ark City.

"I feel a lot better now, as compared to when we played before Christmas," Stinson said. "Now, I really feel like we know our stuff. So, I think they're going to be able to go a little bit harder and at least it won't be a mental breakdown like we were having before Christmas.

"Before Christmas wasn't a terrible thing. We had flashes in there. The Conway (Springs) loss was something we'd like to have over. It's just important now that we start playing as a team and just start playing hard all the time. I feel better about that. I feel we're a little bit more ready than where we were at the start of the year."

Starting league play against the Bullpups is certainly a measuring stick for Ark City.

McPherson (4-2) entered the season as the top-ranked team in Class 5A, but was upset by Goddard in the season opener. Since then, the Bullpups have won four of their last five games -- the last being a convincing 69-29 win over Campus on Dec. 21. McPherson jumped out to a 39-5 halftime lead, holding the Lady Colts scoreless in the second quarter, on its way to the easy win.

"McPherson is probably the best team in our league, but it's okay because you're going to have to play them sometime," Stinson said. "If it doesn't work our way or we're going get so down because we can't compete, we know the next team is coming."

Jordi James is the focal point for McPherson this season, while Jill Nowak and Kelsie Sorensen chip in their shares. James has scored in double figures in all six games, including 18 points in McPherson's win over Campus. She averaged 16.5 points in two games against Ark City last season -- both wins for McPherson.

"A lot of times, she's so athletic that they'll beat you down the court and get you in a situation to where she's taking it to the basket," Stinson said. "If we can try to contain her dribble penetration, that's going to be our best chance."

Stinson will primarily use a match-up zone defense in an attempt to keep McPherson away from the basket.

"That's what we'll have to do to try slow them down," he said. "Hopefully, they don't catch fire from the outside."

Molly Warren, Natalie Benton and Natalie Stinson have been Ark City's proven scorers so far this season, but Bill Stinson would like them to average in double digits -- especially Natalie Stinson.

"Natalie Stinson is the one who was our best scorer in a team scrimmage," Stinson said. "She's the one who can get the ball to the basket. For us to win, she's got to average double figures. Natalie Benton has to average doubles figures, and with that comes the other girls."

The Ark City boys (3-1), meanwhile, will look to build off a strong showing at the T-Bird Classic in early December. They won all three games to capture their second straight tournament title -- the last being a 47-31 win over Conway Springs.

The extended Christmas break certainly didn't benefit the Bulldogs, as they looked to build off their showing at the T-Bird Classic the following week against Winfield and Campus. But both games were postponed due to weather.

While they have a tall order tonight against fourth-ranked McPherson (6-0), the Bulldogs are eager to finally get back on the court.

"It'll be nice," Ark City coach Ben Proctor said. "We've had a lot of practices. I'm all for practices, but sometimes even I can get sick of them. It's good. We need a game. It's going to be a very, very tough game, but we definitely need to play a game. It's good to finally have one."

Post play was a key factor for Ark City's success at the Classic, and it will again look to establish a presence down low early tonight. Tayler Rock averaged 18 points and John Miller 10 at the Classic.

The two face a daunting task tonight, as they look to slow down Tanner Hawkinson and McPherson's other post players. Hawkinson led the undefeated Bullpups with 12 points in their 78-27 rout of Campus on Dec. 21.

"Anybody that's big is going to cause us problems," Proctor said. "He's big and strong. So, that's double the problems. We'll just play basketball. We'll play him just like anybody else. They've got a lot of good players. You can't really focus on just one guy."

Balanced scoring has been a trademark for McPherson, and is again this season. Hawkinson was one of four Bullpups who scored in double figures in their win over Campus.

McPherson, last year's state runner-up in 5A, appears to be on a mission after losing in the state title game to Topeka-Highland Park. The Bullpups have won all but one game this season by at least 15 points and three by at least 25 points.

"They're just really good," Proctor said. "We're going to have to play fantastic to compete with them. But I think our guys understand that. So, we're not going to be surprised with how good they are. We struggled with them last year, just as most teams did. I think we're ready, but we'll find out tomorrow."

McPherson hammered Ark City in both meetings last season -- defeating the Bulldogs 76-32 in the first meeting and 87-50 at the Roundhouse in McPherson.

A win tonight against McPherson would go a long way for the Bulldogs, but Proctor's main focus is on executing basic fundamentals.

"It's important we just play the right way," Proctor said. "I think if we play the right way, the wins will come. But we know what we need to do. It's just a matter of going out and doing it."

McPherson is a program Proctor would like to emulate and bring that same level of success to Ark City.

"We're trying to build something here," he said. "There's going to be ups and downs. We have a lot of inexperienced guys. So, it's a matter of taking things one game at a time. For right now, we're focused on playing one game at a time."

Above: Darrell Freeman, left, and the Arkansas City boys basketball team opens league play tonight at McPherson.