It's win or go home for teams across the state in opening round action of district tournament play on Monday and Tuesday. In District 9-A, four Bedford County squads are hitting the floor the next two nights. Unfortunately, that number will be cut in half as both Cascade and Community teams are paired against one another in the brackets.

If the Community kids can pull off victories, they have an advantage over the other six schools as the remaining portion of the tournament is played out in Unionville.

As if the chill bumps won't be plentiful enough already, three of the four coaches will be standing on the sidelines for their first high school postseason.

The first 'win or go home' contest is tonight at 7 in Unionville. The Viqueens (14-8) enter the tourney as the No. 4 seed versus the fifth-seeded Lady Champions (10-13).

"The loser is done for the year," rookie Cascade coach Chad Spencer said. "If you can't get fired up to play basketball, I don't know what will get you fired up. It ought to be a great atmosphere and my girls are looking forward to it. I know I am."

The teams split their regular season battles with the home team winning each time. Community won 52-34 only 10 days ago thanks to a commanding effort in the paint. Cascade came out on top 52-41 back in early January after one of their premier defensive efforts of the season.

Viqueen coach Allison Layne is in her first year calling the shots, but it didn't take her long to figure out that her neighbors thrive off of their full-court press and outside shooting.

"Defensive-wise, we're going to have to know where their shooters are," she said. "Offensively, we're going to have to push the ball up and down the floor."

Few times this year have the Viqueens been able to dress their entire squad as team leaders Jessica Thompson and Carly Daffern have both missed time with injuries.

"I honestly don't think we'd be back at full strength if we had them both back because they're both still not healthy," Layne said.

The coach estimated that Thompson is around 90 percent healthy. Daffern's leadership would be sorely missed if she can't go.

With a total of only three seniors between the teams, each school wants to gain as much postseason experience as possible since a win tonight guarantees a minimum of three more games. Last season each school was one-and-done.

"That's one thing they've focused on and have been ready to play this game just because we know what happened last year," Layne said. "If you don't come focused and ready to play, you go home early. We don't want to go home early."

The winner draws top-seed and two-time reigning 9-A champion Forrest on Thursday night at 6:30 at Community.

The seeding and home site reverse on the boys side with No. 4 Cascade welcoming No. 5 Community to Wartrace on Tuesday evening at 7.

"This is what single A basketball is all about," Champion coach Charlie Pope said. "It's about small gyms, packed gyms, hostile territory and whichever one of us is able to come out with a win will be all the better for it."

Much of the faithful on both sides of the county would have preferred the matchup come later in the tournament.

Both coaches were asked if it's disappointing to play a neighbor in the first round?

"It is for me personally," said Pope, who is a Community graduate. "I root for them all but two, now three, games a year. If we were going to meet up, I'd rather it be in the championship game.

"Either one of us can make some noise in the region, whichever one is lucky enough to get in it. I will have some mixed emotions Tuesday night for lots of reasons. I want to see my old high school do well but not at my expense."

Head Viking Jace Bryant is still getting used to the rivalry but is quickly taking note.

"It's pretty obvious how much our kids want to beat them and how much their kids want to beat us," he said. "Yeah, it would have been great if we could have played in the championship game, but it's going to be a good atmosphere."

For over four years the Champs (8-14) owned their rivals. That all changed in their last matchup as an unbelievable rally propelled the Vikes (11-11) to a 63-56 win.

"A rivalry should be where wins are swapped," said Pope of how more competitive the showdowns are now. "The pendulum swung back in Community's favor after that last game."

Each school places value on the three bonus games that come with a victory on Tuesday. Cascade would like a shot to win their first region game since 2001. The Purple and Gold just want to get there at the moment.

"I asked them in the locker room the other day if anybody had ever played in the regional tournament and no one raised their hand," Bryant said. "I hope the kids want to get there and experience something new. I hope they know the importance of this game.

"We look at the banner that's hanging in the gym and say we want to get back to that '89 team."

Van Buren County awaits the winner on Friday night at 6:30.

Click here for a look at the girls bracket.

Click here for a look at the boys bracket.