Area schools Paton-Churdan and Coon Rapids-Bayard begin Class 1A Region 8 girls’ basketball postseason play tonight against each other in the opening round at 7 p.m. in Coon Rapids. The winners goes to Glidden on Feb. 16 to face either Glidden-Ralston or Storm Lake St. Mary’s in a quarterfinal round contest.

The Rockets and Crusaders are both Rolling Valley Activities Conference members who’ve met once before. P-C was a 57-56 winner earlier this season and a scheduled second meeting was snowed out. The Rockets are 11-9 on the season and are led by high scoring senior Carleigh Paup, who averages over 25 points per game. The Crusaders are 2-17 and are led by Tina Lair-Van Meter with averages of 11.8 points and 10 rebounds per contest.