Each of the last two seasons, the Niles boys basketball team has been knocked out of the state tournament by Kalamazoo Central.

The Maroon Giants ended a pair of seasons that had the Vikings with 15 victories against just five losses. And each of the two year, Kalamazoo Central went on to win the state championship.

Friday Niles travels to Kalamazoo to face the Maroon Giants in their first Big 16 Conference West Division meeting this season. Niles and Kalamazoo Central have always been in different divisions in the Big 16 when it came to basketball until this year.

The Maroon Giants are just 5-3 so far this season, but are 5-1 in the West Division. Kalamazoo Central has lost to No. 2-ranked Lakeshore (69-63), Cincinnati Withrow (76-75) and Lansing Sexton (80-71).

Getting ready for the Maroon Giants does not concern Niles coach Todd Pawielski.

“In the last three seasons, Kalamazoo Central has won back-to-back state championships and been the runner-up,” Pawielski said. “They have also ended our season two years in a row in the districts. Motivation is not going to be a problem.

“We are so proud of the effort and execution of our kids this season. We have to bring the same energy and toughness tonight that we had against Lakeshore.”

The Vikings (8-0, 5-0 West) are coming off a huge 53-38 victory over the Lancers Tuesday night.

Tonight’s game will be much different from the one against the Lancers. Pawielski characterized that contest as a “grinder.”

“Kalamazoo Central runs the floor real well and puts a lot of pressure on you defensively,” he said. “We have to take care of the basketball and make sure our turnovers do not turn into layups to have a chance to win this game.”

Niles, listed as honorable mention in the first Class A rankings of the season, came out of Tuesday night’s game a bit nicked up.

“Austin Parks and Taylor Campbell are a little banged up, but other than that we are healthy,” Pawielski said. “We like where we are right now and our kids are working hard to get better every day.”

Niles will be taking a fan bus to tonight’s game, which means the “Niles Nightmare” cheering section should have plenty of bodies.

“We appreciate the great fan support from our community and especially our students,” Pawielski said. “We are thankful that our students will be up there with us.”

Tip-off of the girl-boy doubleheader is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The Niles girls will take on Kalamazoo Central in the first game at 5:45.