The Aberdeen Central girls’ basketball team is ready to go back to its roots.

There have been times in the past where Aberdeen Central has had to use the Aberdeen Civic Arena because of scheduling conflicts with events at the Golden Eagles Arena. That will happen again soon, but this time the Golden Eagles want to make the most of situation with a throwback theme.

“There is a conflict because there’s wrestling, but I said why don’t we make it more of like an alumni throwback game?” said Central girls’ basketball coach Paiton Burckhard. “That’s why it’s kind of being tailored towards that, which I think it should be any time we play there.”

The squad looked into designing shirts specifically for the contest and found a design from 1979. It was originally going to be for parents, however, the Booster Club and the Foundation found about it and things have exploded from there.

“They have had so many orders of people wanting that,” Burckhard said.

The game will take place on Thursday, Jan. 30 and Central will play Sioux Falls Washington, which just so happens to have former Central graduate Nate Malchow as its athletic director.

Burckard said the players are pumped about the opportunity.

“Playing in the Civic, it’s just a different feel,” Burckhard said, “and I just think they’re really excited.”

The Golden Eagles, who have gotten off to a 7-1 start to the season, will now head into the meat of their schedule, hosting top-rated unbeaten O’Gorman on Tuesday, playing at once-beaten Brandon Valley on Thursday, and then meeting once-beaten Washington next week.

“This is going to be where we will prove if we want to be one of the best teams in the state if we can compete with the best teams in the state. This will be where we prove ourselves,” Burckhard said. “Kudos to the girls for having a good start to the season and playing in some tough games, but this is where we’ll prove ourselves. I think they feel that, so it will be exciting to kind of see how we can compete.”

Burckhard is quick to credit the players for a stellar start in her first year of being head coach of the squad.

“They are very fun to be around. I’ve known most of them since they were little, which obviously makes that aspect a little easier,” Burckhard said. “They’re very hard working. They’re willing to learn and try new things, which has been the majority of what we’ve been doing so far.”

Now, the players will get to experience playing in a legendary facility that has housed many of the greatest games in Aberdeen history.

Burckhard is hoping the contest will bring out more than the typical spectators.

“I hope some people out in the community that normally don’t come to Aberdeen girls games will come out,” Burckhard said, “just to feel that environment of the Civic Arena.”