The boys’ and girls’ basketball season opens up on Friday evening, and the night will feature the annual rivalry game between Tunkhannock and Lackawanna Trail.

This year, Lackawanna Trail plays host to the Tigers at Tunnel Hill, and the games will kick off with a JV matchup at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity squaring off at 7:15 p.m.

Last year, the game resulted in Tunkhannock Area taking home a 56-39 victory over the Lions in the non-conference game.

Both programs lost a number of players to graduation including Tunkhannock Area’s big man, 6-10 James Hawk, who is now at Naval Academy Prep, and Lackawanna Trail’s 7-1 center Stephen Miller.

Leading returnees for the Tigers who normally compete in the Wyoming Valley Conference’s Division 1 are seniors Brian Stephenson and Jordan Faux, and sophomore Austin Yanora.

Returning starters for the Lions who this year will compete in the Lackawanna League’s new Division 4 are sophomores Tyler Rzucidlo and Ross Fauquier.

Also on Friday night, Elk Lake will play in the annual Mike “Red” Wallace Scholarship Game at Carbondale.

That matchup will kick off at 7:15 p.m. Last year, the Warriors were defeated 59-56 in the game at Dimock.

In girls’ action on opening night, Elk Lake, Lackawanna Trail and Tunkhannock’s girls’ teams will take part in the Kiwanis Tip-Off Tournament at Tunkhannock Area.

The Lady Tigers will be looking to defend last year’s title.

BOYS’ TEAMS

Tunkhannock

Nickname: Tigers

Home Court: Tunkhannock Area High School

Last Season: 14-10

Head Coach: Dustin Babcock

Returning Players: Seniors Brian Stephenson, Jordan Faux, Brent Christy, and Jimmy DeWitt; juniors Sean Soltysiak, Adam Billings, Holt Wiggans, and AJPassarelli; and sophomore Austin Yanora.

Newcomers: Sophomores Brian Beauchemin, Matt Grebeck, Ryan Ell, and Eric Stamer; and freshmen Tony Maloney, Andy Mills, Pat Casey, Cody Brown, Brett Soltysiak, Josh Flaherty and Brett Hughes.

Lackawanna Trail

Nickname: Lions

Home Court: Lackawanna Trail High School

Last Season: 12-12

Head Coach: Andrew Kettel

Returning starters: Sophomores Tyler Rzucidlo, and Ross Fauquier.

Other returnees: Senior Dalton Mecke, junior John Kwiatkowski, and sophomore Aidan Holmes.

Newcomers: Seniors Dylan Harris, Matt Decker, and Devin Walsh.

Elk Lake

Nickname: Warriors

Home Court: Mike “Red” Wallace Court

Last Season: 10-12

Head coach: John Warnero

Returning starters: Senior Rob Heft; juniors Tanner Reyan, Tyler Arnold, Nick Dudock, Pete McGee, and Matt Woolcock.

Newcomers: Sophomore Wyatt Warner; senior Zack Sigirci; and junior Antuan Robinson.

GIRLS’ TEAMS

Tunkhannock

Nickname: Lady Tigers

Home Court: Tunkhannock Area High School

Last Season: 15-6

Head Coach: Amanda Golden

Returning Players: Gabby Alguire, Sr.; Ashley Nafus, Sr.; Katie Proulx, Sr.; Kanesha Bonner, Sr.; Cheyenne Brown, Jr.

Other Returnees: Ashley Knott, Jr.; Amanda Nole, Jr.; Haylee Underwood, Jr.; Shequoya Bonner, Jr.; Molly Hampsey, jr.; Meagan Wrubel, Jr.; Mya Toczko, Jr.; Traci Kromko, Jr.; Brittany Sickler, Jr.; Alyson Wilbur, Jr.

Newcomers:  Amanda Grundman, Sr.; Kailey Reposa, Fr.; Christine Rossi, Fr.; Amanda Hardy, Fr.; Maggie Sohns, Fr.; Megan Manglaviti, Fr.

Lackawanna Trail

Nickname: Lady Lions

Home Court: Lackawanna Trail High School

Last Season: 11-13

Head Coach: Bob Fitzsimmons

Returning Starter: Brianna Smarkusky, Sr., C.

Other Returnees: Gabby Sunseri, Sr., G.; Melissa Grimm, So., F.; Morgan Wiesel, So., F.; Daria Lewandowski, So., G.; Kerrigan Buck, So., F.; Grace Wetzel, So., G.

Newcomers: Anna Kane, Fr., F.; Alyssa Sohns, Fr., G.; Rachael Perkins, So., F.; Carli Kalinoski, Fr., G.; Haley Brimm, So., F.; Tammy Perkins, Fr., G.

Elk Lake

Nickname: Lady Warriors

Home Court: Mike “Red” Wallace Court

Last Season: 7-15

Head Coach: Dave Shingler

Returning Starters: Meghan Bush, Sr.; Kenzie Moon, Sr.; Taylor Watkins, Jr.; Casey Tyler, Jr.

Other Returnees: Kellie Grosvenor, Sr.; Elizabeth Benscoter, Sr.; Sara Kwiatkowski, Sr.; Kelsey Mitchell, Jr.

Newcomers: None.