Local teams set for tourney time

Four local high school basketball teams put their seasons on the line over the next two days as the District 9-A tournament gets underway at Forrest High School in Chapel Hill.

A pair of Bedford County rivals lock up in the first round on the girls' side for the third straight year as fourth-seeded Cascade (16-8) takes on fifth-seeded Community (14-12) on Friday afternoon at 5:30.

The winner faces the Forrest/F.C. Boyd Christian winner on Monday and earns an automatic berth into the Region 5-A tournament. The loser goes home.

Even though the Lady Champs swept the season series for the second straight year, the Viqueens have eliminated their rivals each of the last two seasons.

After winning the 9-A regular season title last season, the Cascade boys enter this year's tournament as the No. 2 seed. They take on No. 7 Moore County on Saturday night at 7. The Orange and Black defeated the rebuilding Raiders by 27 less than a month ago.

The Champions (14-10) lost both games in the district tourney last season. They celebrated first in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 under coach Charlie Pope.

Seniors Cody Pierce and Heath Dyer will try to help Community (6-19) catch fire and extend its season as the sixth-seeded Vikings tip off against No. 3 Huntland in the last game Saturday at 8:30. The home team won each contest during the season by double figures.

Both Community teams placed third in 9-A a year ago.

Webb's girls enter the East/Middle Region tournament seeded ninth and play at St. Andrew's-Sewanee on Saturday afternoon at 2.

The Feet are the No. 3 seed on the boys side and earned a bye through the first round of the region tourney. They await the Franklin Road Academy/Riverside Christian winner and play on Monday.