If familiarity breeds contempt, then the Selma Saints and the Wilcox-Central Jaguars really must not like each other.

The two teams, who have already faced each other four times this season, will do so again Saturday night in the Class 5A South Regional tournament in Mobile. The stakes this time could not be any higher as the winner will advance to the Class 5A state tournament, while the loser will start preparing for next year.

“I would say we are real familiar with each other,” Selma head coach Woodie Jackson said. “We know we have to play a real good game to beat them. We have to execute well and shoot the ball well.”

For Jaguar head coach Mark Dukes, Saturday’s game is simply another step toward his team’s ultimate goal of a state championship.

“We have been to the regional tournament the past five years,” Dukes said. “Last year we didn’t make it to the regional final. This year we have. We want to keep playing.”

The Jaguars hold a 3-1 advantage over Selma this season, winning three straight. The last game came last week in the Class 5A Area 5 tournament championship.

“We were able to make a few more shots and control their offense,” Dukes said. “Something we were not able to do earlier in the year.”

For Jackson, he likes the way his team is playing right now, running off two straight wins, both must-wins and on the road.

“We have a few things to tune up, but I like where we are right now,” Jackson said. “We have a chance to keep playing and move on to the state championship tournament.”

Both coaches said the rivalry is one thing, but their toughest challenge Saturday night might come in keeping their teams under control.

“I think we will be level-headed Saturday. But, there’s really no telling. Stepping out onto that court, under those lights, is a whole different thing,” Dukes said. “I tell you I’d much rather be playing than coaching.”