Morgan Academy is prepared to host some of the state’s top junior varsity basketball teams this weekend in a single-day, winner take all championship tournament.

Nine boys teams and eight girls teams will participate, squaring off to win the Alabama Independent Schools Association state championship. Games tip-off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 and will run all day in a single elimination format.

“To win it you have to win three games in one day,” Morgan Academy head coach Bob Taylor said.

“It’s a big deal. The kids enjoy it and it is a chance to watch some good kids coming up in our association play.”

Taylor said his team has already faced most of the teams they will see in the tournament. They faced many of the teams participating in the tournament this summer and saw many of the others last summer.

“By the time we play in the summer and do all that, we have pretty much played everybody that is in the tournament,” Taylor said.

Over the last four seasons, Taylor said his team has made the semifinals of the junior varsity state championship tournament two times.

“There is a lot of energy in here because you are playing for a championship and you’ve got other teams sitting and watching you play,” Taylor said. “You’ve got both gyms going and it is a big deal.”

Each team was seeded based off of their record on the season and overall winning percentage.

The Senators’ boys are the No. 5 seed in the bracket and will play Evangel Christian at 11:30 a.m to open their tournament.

The Senators’ girls are the No. 4 seed and play Hooper Academy at 10:15 a.m. in their first game of the tournament.

Admission for the tournament is $7 for adults and $5 for students.