Around the state, it’s hard to find a better collection of basketball talent than what is in Dallas County. Monday and Tuesday some of that talent will be on display in the Dallas County Christmas Tournament at Wallace Community College Selma.

Tournament host Keith High School, Dallas County High School, Southside High School and R.C. Hatch High School comprise the field for this year’s tournament. The tournament will start at 4 p.m.

“For the last two or three years, we have some of the best basketball in the state of Alabama,” said Keith boys coach Tommy Tisdale. “We’ve got the defending state champions in Dallas County, Keith is pretty competitive at times, so if I’m a good basketball fan I want to be there.”

Last year’s tournament featured two boys teams that made the Final 48, Dallas County and Wilcox Central. Another boys’ team from last year’s field, Keith, made it to the Central Regional.

The 2014 field again boasts teams that look destined for deep postseason runs.

Keith’s boys, ranked No. 4 in class 1A, come in after beating top-ranked Sunshine Thursday night in Orrville. The Bears will face Dallas County in the final game Monday, scheduled to start around 8:30 p.m.

“Coming off of Thursday, I want to see how we can respond to the next opponent,” Tisdale said. “… I told my guys that after one big win, we always try to cruise through the next game.”

Tisdale knows his team won’t be able to take it easy against Dallas County. The Hornets (7-1) enter after their most complete performance of the year, a dominating win over Booker T. Washington Friday.

“We are just trying to find ways to be better defensively and find secondary guys that can contribute for us offensively,” said Dallas County boys coach Willie Moore.

Ranked No. 10, Dallas County won the 4A state championship last season, but not before losing to Wilcox Central in the finale of the Dallas County Tournament.

Southside’s boys, who have already faced both Dallas County and Keith this season, will face R.C. Hatch in the first round at 5:30 p.m.

The girls’ field is also full of strong teams.

The Southside Lady Panthers will take on R.C. Hatch’s Lady Bobcats in the first game of the tournament at 4 p.m. Monday.

The No. 5 ranked Keith Lady Bears come in after a last-second loss to Sunshine, but will look to bounce back with a victory against Dallas County in the first round at 7 p.m. Monday.