The race to the high school basketball playoffs is heating up. This is the time of year where teams want to start getting into a groove, so they can be playing their best at the end of the month.

Teams in the county will face some key area and non-area games this upcoming week.

In one of the noteworthy matchups, the top-ranked Keith boys (12-8) will take on Dallas County (13-5) Friday at Concordia College Alabama.

It’ll be the second neutral site matchup between the two schools this season, with the first coming in the Dallas County Christmas Tournament at Wallace Community College Selma.

Keith will also take on area foe Akron and Bibb County Monday and Tuesday, while Dallas County will play at Demopolis Tuesday in a key area showdown.

In a matchup that will be key for area seeding, Selma’s boys (15-5) will host Paul Bryant Friday in a rematch of a game from last week. Both teams need a win to keep pace with Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, who continues to lead class 6A, area 6 with an unblemished area record.

Ellwood Christian’s boys will get a chance to stir up the ASWA’s class 1A rankings Tuesday when they host Sunshine.

Last week, the Eagles fell to Keith by one point. The Bears were moved to No. 1 the following day in the ASWA rankings. Sunshine fell to No. 2, and will try to avoid a trap game against the up-and-coming Eagles.

On the boys side in AHSAA, only Keith and Southside entered Monday with unblemished area records. The Panthers will take on Thomasville Tuesday. A win would push Southside to 4-0 in area play and even more in command in class 4A, area 3.

Selma is the only girls team without an area loss from Dallas County.

Morgan Academy will travel to Hooper Academy Tuesday and will host Autauga Friday night. Meadowview Christian will face Victory Christian Tuesday on the road and will host First Assembly Friday.

Area tournaments start the week of Jan. 31 for teams in the AHSAA.