Four years.

At Francis Marion High School that’s a long time to go without a state title.

That’s how long Julius Allgood, Jeremy Arrington and the rest of the Rams’ seniors have been working for a trip to Birmingham.

For the seniors, it’s now or never.

The Rams are set to face B.B. Comer in the first round of Regional play for the second straight year.

They are two wins away from a trip to Birmingham.

The Rams were tied with three seconds left against Comer last season but a blocked shot resulted in a putback.

Comer advanced, the Rams went home.

In hopes of erasing that bad taste from last year, the Rams have worked all season for a chance to move farther in AHSAA tournament play.

Now, despite some injuries, they have the goal in their sights.

The Rams will need it.

Comer is a big, physical team according to Jackson.

They can match up with some of the best team’s Marion has faced this season.

The experience of playing the toughest teams in the region has helped Marion prepare, but they are still a little beat up.

A leg fracture sidelined their toughest inside play, Brian Moore, for the season.

Point guard Blaine Tindull was just getting healthy when he was injured in a car crash.

He suffered some injuries, but Jackson said it could have been worse.

In Moore’s absence,

do-it-all Allgood will have to increase his inside presence.

Allgood averages a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

But the team will need even more from him inside the paint.

Despite the challenges coach Jackson said his team has what it takes to win it all.

WJUS AM 1310 will broadcast the game live at 1:30 p.m.