Winter sports contests will get under way later this week for Hopkins, Martin and Wayland high schools.

The earliest games will take place Tuesday event at 7 p.m. when the Martin and Wayland girls’ varsity basketball teams will make their debuts. Wayland, under fourth-year coach Wes Hudson, will be on its home court against Hastings. Meanwhile, Martin, under veteran coach Doug MacVean, will travel to Galesburg-Augusta.

Hopkins, under veteran coach John Robinson, won’t open until Friday, when it travels to Potter’s House.

All three local girl’s basketball squads are loaded with returning veterans and all are cautiously optimistic.

Boys’ and girls’ bowling will open their seasons at Wyoming High School to compete in the Wyoming Bowling Tournament. The boys’ squad is coached by Sherry Miklusicak and the girls are under the tutelage of new coach Eric Bottrall.

The Wayland boys’ basketball debut will be next Tuesday at home against Caledonia in the first game for coach Chris Jasinski, who succeeds Mike Hudson, who retired after 26 seasons.

The Martin boys’ season opener under Brad Moelker will be next Tuesday evening at Bloomingdale. Hopkins, at the same time, under Jake Jewitt, will be host to Schoolcraft.