This is not the entire schedule for all of western Mass. These are simply the games I wanted to highlight. Rankings are based on my overall top 25, which is posted each Thursday.

As always, drop me a line at jpignatiello@gazettenet.com with comments.

Tuesday, Jan. 26
No. 3 Central at No. 2 East Longmeadow - Two of Division 1's top three teams square off in a battle of 10-2 teams, but it sounds like we'll have to wait for Feb. 12 rematch for a true look at them head-to-head. Sounds like Brisje Malone won't play in this contest and, obviously, you don't want anyone to rush back too quickly from a head injury. Hopefully, she'll be back and 100 percent healthy before too long. Both teams have lost to No. 1 Amherst and a non-western Mass. opponent so far this year.
No. 1 Amherst at Agawam - Hurricanes only remaining challenges in regular season are with themselves.
Chicopee at No. 16 Chicopee Comp - Colts have been free falling after strong start. Is a rivalry game exactly what they need to get back on track?
No. 5 Holyoke at No. 10 Ludlow - Purple Knights are coming off win over Brisje Malone-less Central. Could start putting together some nice power points with a few wins in a row.
No. 21 Northampton at Minnechaug - A must-win for the Blue Devils, who would still need a little late-season magic to reach the postseason.
Athol at Mahar - Mahar won the first round of rivalry series 36-32 in Athol on Dec. 18.
No. 23 South Hadley at No. 19 Belchertown - Nice interior matchup between Jessica Mercier and Brianna DelValle in a game with major playoff implications.
No. 13 Monson at No. 15 Hampshire - Monson licking its wounds after a shellacking from Palmer. Now the Mustangs get a Red Raiders team that may have turned the corner with four straight wins.
Mohawk at No. 9 Frontier Regional - Red Hawks host "Retro Night" where both the varsity and junior varsity teams will wear vintage 1980s uniforms as part of a fundraiser to benefit the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Springfield. Players will sell flourescent green retro T-shirts, there will be '80s music featured during warm-ups at halftime and prizees awarded for best '80s outfit. All money raised goes directly to the hospital.
No. 7 Sabis at No. 6 Palmer - Can Palmer backcourt matchup against Sabis guards? Can Sabis frontcourt handle Orszulak and Caulfield? Should be a good one.
Hopkins Academy at Pioneer Regional - Golden Hawks won by four at home in first matchup. If they want a good seed in D-3 tourney, they need to start piling on the wins here.

Wednesday, Jan. 27
No. 24 West Springfield at No. 8 Cathedral - Terriers are a bit down this year, but this is still a game you'd like to see the Panthers, who play mostly D-2 teams, take control of early and win with ease.

Thursday, Jan. 28
No. 4 Lee at No. 20 Pittsfield - Can anyone slow down the Wildcats? No, probably not.
No. 13 Monson at No. 19 Belchertown - Both teams have had a tough run of opponents and could use a win here. DelValle vs. Boyle should be a nice matchup on both ends of the court.
St. Joseph's at Hoosac Valley - Free falling Hurricanes will need the win here.
No. 11 Monument Mountain at No. 14 Wahconah - Winner gets a huge shot of pre-tourney confidence, at least until Feb. 17 rematch.
No. 12 Drury at No. 25 Mount Greylock - Mounties are on the bubble and could use the win, but Blue Devils have already knocked off Greylock twice this year by 21 and 16 points.

Friday, Jan. 29
No. 9 Frontier Regional at No. 18 Smith Academy - Virtually the Franklin South title game. A Smith win moves the Falcons into a tie. A Red Hawks win puts them two games up and clearly in the driver's seat. Frontier won first meeting 34-32.
Agawam at No. 16 Chicopee Comp - Key week for the Colts if they are going to turn things around and get into the playoffs.
No. 8 Cathedral at No. 19 Belchertown - Orioles won by 12 in first matchup, But Panthers have since knocked off Frontier and Hampshire.
No. 21 Northampton at No. 2 East Longmeadow - Blue Devils schedule gets ridiculous down the stretch with this "League of Death" stuff. It's going to cost us a team or two in this year's D-1 tourney.
No. 24 West Springfield at No. 3 Central - Hard to know what to expect without knowing Malone's status for these games.
Mahar at Easthampton - Eagles need this one to help their playoff situation. Senators have a better chance to overcome a loss and still get in than Easthampton does.
No. 7 Sabis at No. 23 South Hadley - Bulldogs' quickness presents matchup problems here. South Hadley will have to slow things down as much as possible.
No. 22 McCann at Holyoke Catholic - Hornets lost Nhi Nguyen to injury during first game (a Catholic one-point win). Can they get that one back for a shot at the league title?

Saturday, Jan. 30
No. 11 Monument Mountain at Quaboag - After how much trouble the Cougars gave Palmer in the Hoophall, it will be interesting to see how this one plays out, especially at Quaboag. I do love Coach Kinne for scheduling these types of games.

Monday, Feb. 1
Mahar at No. 9 Frontier Regional - Red Hawks will be coming off either huge win or loss from Friday and must not be too high or low coming in.
No. 12 Drury at No. 11 Monument Mountain - Blue Devils still have a lot to prove to show impressive record is not solely based on easy early schedule. One-point loss to Wahconah on Monday was nice. A win here will be nicer.