Sports Report: Holiday Break Doesn't Stop Winter Sports

The week before Christmas is a slower week for sports around St. Charles County, but not a completely dead week. 

Teams across the county are gearing up for some much-needed rest, but before that happens games must be played.

Here are some games to watch this week around St. Charles County. 

• Who: (Girls basketball) Zumwalt South vs. Zumwalt West
• When/Where: 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Lindenwood
• Why the big deal?: It's always a good game when two Zumwalt schools get together, and that should be the case during this girls basketball between Zumwalt South and Zumwalt West. The South squad is 5-3 while West is 5-0.   

• Who: (Girls swimming) Zumwalt East vs. Ritenour 
• When/Where: 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the S. 
• Why the big deal?: The Fort Zumwalt East girls swim team won't have another meet until 2012 after Wednesday's dual with Ritenour. The meet will be the last chance to make a splash in 2011.  

• No games this week. 

Francis Howell Central

• Who: (Girls swimming) Howell Central vs. Fort Zumwalt North
• When/Where: 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, at home
• Why the big deal?: The Francis Howell Central girls swim team has one last dual before the holiday break. Howell Central takes on Zumwalt North in the only varsity contest of the week at Central.

• Who: (Boys basketball) Howell North vs. Hazelwood West
• When/Where: 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 at home
• Why the big deal?: The Francis Howell North boys basketball team has the distinction of being the only varsity team on this schedule this week. The boys take the floor on Monday for a game with Hazelwood West before heading into the winter break.  

• Who: (Boys basketball) Duchesne vs. Trinity
• When/Where: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, at MICDS
• Why the big deal?: Duchesne will head into the winter break by taking part in the MICDS Tournament. The Pioneers will open up the tournament on Friday with a game against Trinity.

Orchard Farm

• Who: (Boys basketball) Orchard Farm vs. Bowling Green
• When/Where: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Bowling Green
• Why the big deal?: Orchard Farm will close out 2011 with a big conference tilt. The Eagles will head up to Bowling Green for a matchup against the Bobcats.  

• Who: (Girls swimming) St. Charles vs. Zumwalt South
• When/Where: 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at home
• Why the big deal?: The St. Charles swim team takes on Zumwalt South in the last meet of 2011. The Pirates will next swim in 2012 but will have one final tuneup against the Bulldogs. 

• Who: (Boys basketball) St. Charles West vs. St. Francis Borgia 
• When/Where: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Borgia
• Why the big deal?: St. Charles West has a big contest looming before it can relax during the holiday break. The Warriors take on 9-1 Borgia on Thursday. 

• Who: (Wrestling) Fort Zumwalt North vs. Hannibal vs. Helias vs. St. Charles
• When/Where: 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, at home
• Why the big deal?: Zumwalt North's wrestling team heads into the winter break with a big quad meet. The Panthers will take on Hannibal, Helias and St. Charles in a four-way match giving each wrestler multiple chances to prove his skill.

• Who: (Boys basketball) Zumwalt West vs. Zumwalt South
• When/Where: 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 at Lindenwood
• Why the big deal?: The Zumwalt West and Zumwalt South boys close out a day of games at Lindenwood University. South is 2-3 on the season. West comes in sporting a 2-5 record. 

• No games this week. 
  

• No games this week. 
  

• Who: (Boys basketball) Timberland vs. Holt
• When/Where: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Holt
• Why the big deal?: The second game of a doubleheader (the girls play first) pits Wentzville rivals Timberland and Holt against each other. Holt (2-2) and Timberland (2-4) will be trying for the first GAC South win of the season.

• Who: (Girls basketball) Holt vs. Timberland
• When/Where: 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 at home
• Why the big deal?: Wentzville rivals Timberland and Holt face off for the first time this season. Holt is 5-2 and Timberland is 3-5 on the season.