The Belleville East Winter Classic pairings have been set. The tournament will be held Jan. 17 and Jan. 20-21. It's always competitive and fans, for $5, get to see three games each night of the tourney.

Here are the pairings:

Jan. 17 — Belleville West vs. McCluer, 5 p.m.; Belleville East vs. Oakville, 6:30 p.m.; Collinsville vs. Althoff, 8 p.m.

Jan. 20 — Belleville West vs. Oakville, 5 p.m.; Belleville East vs. Althoff, 6:30 p.m.; Collinsville vs. McCluer, 8 p.m.

Jan. 21 —Oakville vs. Collinsville, 5 p.m.; Althoff vs. Belleville West, 6:30 p.m.; McCluer vs. Belleville East, 8 p.m.

McCluer, not to be confused with McCluer North, which was in the tournament last year, is 9-2. Belleville West won the title last season, defeating McCluer North in the finale 67-57.

Collinsville, Belleville East and Althoff are capable of going undefeated tin the tournament if they get on a roll. Collinsville is perhaps the best defensive team in the metro-east. Belleville East has star power in Malcolm Hill and Tim Goodwin. Althoff can play with anyone on a given night. Oakville, meanwhile, plays hard but lacks the talent of the other clubs.

As always, I'll see you in the gym.