The Eugene Eagles are a talented boys basketball team, always looking for the next challenge.

The Joe Machens Great 8 Classic is a challenge the Eagles are ready to accept.

"We wanted to get into the Great 8 so we could test ourselves, so that we can be prepared when it comes to the postseason," Eugene coach Brian Wilde said during Wednesday's press conference at Jefferson Bank. "We've beefed up our schedule a little bit every year since I've been, because every year I feel like we've improved as a team."

The Eagles have won three consecutive district championships -- posting a 72-15 record in those seasons -- and are seeking a fourth straight postseason at the Class 2 level.

"This group is going to be ready to go and compete against whoever we get," Wilde said. "Our expectations will be to compete as hard as possible in every game."

Eugene will draw Tulsa Union, Okla., in the first round of the Great 8 Classic, which is scheduled for Dec. 27-29 at Fleming Fieldhouse. The Redhawks are making their fifth appearance in the Classic and first since 2021.

There is quite an enrollment difference between the two schools. Eugene has a grade 10-12 enrollment of 145, while Tulsa Union's three-grade enrollment is north of 3,300 students.

"It'll show where we're at," Wilde said. "Our guys are always extremely excited to compete against the best."

Eugene is one of three teams making its debut in the Great 8 Classic this season.

The Capital City Cavaliers will play the second first-round game against the Montgomery County Wildcats, a newcomer to the tournament.

"With the out-of-state, out-of-area teams, you know your first-round matchup is going to be against somebody you don't typically play," Capital City coach Ryan Fick said.

Montgomery County took fourth place in Class 3 last season with a 25-7 record.

"It's always an amazing field," Fick said.

For the Cavaliers, it will be their second time this season playing three games in three days in tournament plays. Capital City opened its season last weekend with three games in the Republic Invitational.

Fick said the holiday break makes the Great 8 Classic feel like a college setting.

"You have a shootaround in the morning to prepare for the game that night, you really have to prepare on the fly," he said. "As coaches, I think it tests your kids in different ways, to prepare them for the postseason."

Game 3 in the first round matches the host Jefferson City Jays against Lausanne Collegiate of Memphis, Tenn. The Lynx are playing the Great 8 Classic for a third straight season.

Jays first-year head coach Ethan Williams was on the sideline of this tournament the previous two seasons as an assistant with the Fatima Comets.

"It's definitely different hosting it, for sure, but as far as the other stuff, it's pretty much the same," Williams said.

Jefferson City has won its first-round game in five of the past six seasons. The Jays lost their first-round game last year before finishing runner-up in Class 5.

"I remember when I was in high school there was a team that was a Class 4 school, lost all three games in this tournament and then finished second in state," Williams said. "It's just that good of a tournament."

Williams said his team will be able to take away a number of good things from the tournament.

"You're going to find out how tough your kids are, and even your staff," he said.

The Helias Crusaders will wrap up first-round play against the Great 8 Classic's third newcomer, the Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons from Punta Gorda, Fla., located more than 1,200 miles from Jefferson City.

"We don't know much about them, we know they're going to be good," Rothweiler said. "We actually had a common opponent last year, which was Thayer. It should be a good matchup."

Helias did not have its full roster available for practice until this week. The Crusaders played in the Class 5 state championship football game last Saturday in Columbia.

"We wish we had a few more practices to get ready for some games, that would help," Rothweiler said. "Hopefully, day by day, we can build that chemistry we need."

The Crusaders are trying to win the Great 8 Classic for the first time since 2014.

"It's been a few years," Rothweiler said. "... It's a big accomplishment and it can really springboard you into the second half of the season. Whether you win it or not, you really want to play well."