Several area high school basketball teams will have the honor of playing on the biggest stage in the state this week. Fayette, Harrisburg, and Higbee teams are scheduled to play on Thursday and Friday.

Because of the large draw from both students and staff, Fayette and Higbee schools will close down on days of play. 

Higbee is also taking its band and cheerleaders to the Classic. 

Harrisburg will remain in session but will excuse any students who skip school to attend the game if parents call in.

The Higbee boys tipoff against North Shelby at noon on Thursday.

North Shelby is Coach Stewart’s hometown. The Class 3 Cardinals are 0-3 so far this season. Higbee is 3-1 overall and just finished second in the Mendon Tournament on Saturday.

The Harrisburg boys play at 3 p.m. against three-time Class 1 state champion South Iron. 

The Bulldogs finished runner-up in the Glasgow Tournament on Saturday, falling to New Franklin in the title game.

The final area team to play will be the Fayette girls. They tip off against Class 5 Helias Catholic at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Fayette is 3-1 overall and won the consolation trophy at the Glasgow Tournament on Saturday.

Each December, the Norm Stewart Classic brings top teams to Columbia for a an event presented by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association.  A great event presented for a great cause, the MBCA helps raise funds for the American Cancer Society and Special Olympics Missouri.

Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.normstewart.org/tickets.html.