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GROUP AA BOYS

HIDDEN VALLEY (27-1) vs. R.E. LEE-STAUNTON (24-3)

Today, 7 p.m.

At Northside H.S.

n Bassett native Paul Hatcher -- who boasts a career record of 842-162 -- has won four state titles in a 40-year tenure that might end soon. Lee's lightning-quick lineup is led by 6-3 forward Daryl Hart, the lone senior starter. The Leemen have lost twice to Waynesboro, once to Liberty and once to a touring Australian team. Hidden Valley's lone loss this year was at Pulaski County. Virginia Tech recruit Ben Boggs, a 6-3 junior guard averaging 19 points per game, leads the Titans along with 6-5 senior forward Luke Hancock. A new assistant on the Lee bench this year is former Lee and North Carolina star Kevin Madden.

BLACKSBURG (20-8) vs. WAYNESBORO (22-6)

Saturday, 6 p.m.

At James Madison University

n Waynesboro made it to Richmond last year, losing to William Fleming in the Group AA semifinals. Nick Gore, a 6-5 senior forward, is the top offensive threat for the Little Giants. Point guard Andy Sherrill and 3-point shooter Tim Brown started last year. The Little Giants split four games with R.E. Lee-Staunton including a double-overtime win the Region III final. Blacksburg is in its first quarterfinal since reaching the Group AA championship game in 2002. Point guard Tyler Holmes, forwards Nick English and Daniel Mitchell, and center Junior Brown all average in double figures for the Bruins.

GROUP AA GIRLS

HIDDEN VALLEY (23-4) vs. BROOKVILLE (26-1)

Saturday, 6 p.m.

At Northside H.S.

n Many believed this matchup would take place in next week's Group AA championship game, but after Brookville's loss to Waynesboro in the Region III final, one team will be eliminated Saturday night. Defending Group AA champion Hidden Valley opened the season with a 59-44 loss at home to Brookville. Junior forward Abby Redick missed the game with an injury. Four Division I signees will be on display. Brookville has 6-1 forwards Brittany Campbell (Liberty) and Joyous Tharrington (Richmond), while the Titans counter with point guard Abby Oliver (Richmond) and 6-4 center Kylee Beecher (Liberty).

BASSETT (25-2) vs. WAYNESBORO (24-3)

Saturday, 4 p.m.

At James Madison University

n Bassett will have to stop 5-11 senior forward Devon Brown, a Liberty signee who averages more than 30 points per game. The Little Giants knocked off two previously unbeaten teams -- Turner Ashby and Brookville -- to win the Region III title. Brown's sister, Shanda, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in the Turner Ashby win. Bassett senior forward Kristen Keith averages 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Bengals, are in their first Group AA quarterfinal since winning the title in 2001. Waynesboro won a Group AA title in 1991. Bassett, which has lost only to Floyd County and Hidden Valley, took the state title in 2000.

GROUP A DIVISION 2 BOYS

GEORGE WYTHE (25-2) vs. CASTLEWOOD (22-5)

Today, 7 p.m.

At Marion H.S.

n These former Hogoheegee District rivals lost in Group A quarterfinals last year. Castlewood fell to James River after point guard Patrick Fisher went down with a knee injury. Fisher leads this year's team with a 17.6 scoring average. George Wythe lost to Gate City on a 3-pointer at the buzzer last March. The Maroons are loaded with senior veterans, led by forward Tennis Simon, averaging 17.4 ppg. Wythe's two losses this year came to Group AA Pulaski County. Head coach Al Copenhaver has more than 450 career wins and is looking for his first semifinal berth since 2003, when the Maroons fell to Radford.

JAMES RIVER (23-3) vs. GATE CITY (21-5)

Saturday, 4 p.m.

At Virginia H.S.

n Both teams advanced to Richmond last March, as James River lost to Clarke County 86-52 in the semifinals, and Gate City fell to Clarke 60-55 in the championship game. Gate City, which lost twice to Pulaski County and twice in the Arby's Classic tournament, is led by the 1-2 punch of point guard Tihlee Anderson and inside threat Jamie Hackney, a pair of 1,000-point scorers. James River starts three sophomores along with junior DaVon Ross and senior center Corey Ware, the Pioneer District player of the year. Gate City defeated George Wythe in last year's quarterfinal in the spacious Virginia High gym.

GROUP A DIVISION 2 GIRLS

FLOYD COUNTY (23-3) vs. HONAKER (23-4)

Saturday, 6 p.m.

At Christiansburg H.S.

n Floyd County has a remarkable 78-5 record in the last three years under Alan Cantrell and the Buffaloes are looking for their third straight trip to Richmond where they lost in the final last year to Clarke County. Senior guard Lindsey Thompson, a UNC Asheville signee, was lost for the season with a knee injury, but the Buffaloes are steered by junior point guard Brittany Avancini, a three-year starter. Honaker has four freshmen, including starting point guard Rachel Artrip. The Tigers lost three times to Virginia High. Floyd's last game at Christiansburg was a loss to Glenvar in the Three Rivers District tournament.

CHILHOWIE (23-4) vs. VIRGINIA HIGH (24-3)

Today, 7 p.m.

At John Battle H.S.

n Chilhowie is making its first state tournament appearance since 1975, a decade before the VHSL began taking regional runners-up. The Warriors took three out of four games against George Wythe and also lost to Grayson County, Floyd County and Sullivan Central (Tenn.). UVa-Wise signee Emily Doane averages 14.5 points per game. Sophomores Heather Hash and Krystal Patton average nine a game. Virginia High was a Group AA semifinalist last year. Freshman Savannah Pippin is the leading scorer for the Bearcats at 12.9 per game. Two other starters -- Ashley Grimm and Hannah Shankel -- return from last year's team.

GROUP A DIVISION 1 BOYS

GALAX (23-4) vs. TWIN SPRINGS (18-8)

Saturday, 8 p.m.

At Virginia H.S.

n Galax had a 20-game winning streak broken when the Maroon Tide lost to Eastern Montgomery in the Region C Division 1 final Monday night after blowing a 15-point second half lead. Galax has four players averaging in double figures, led by Jeremiah Criner and G Zachary. Galax is making its second state tournament appearance since the 1970s, most recently playing in a quarterfinal in 2005. Twin Springs made back-to-back trips to the Group A semifinals in 2005 and '06 before missing out last year. The Titans, who won the Region D Division 1 tournament, lost to Surry County in the '05 state final.

EASTERN MONTGOMERY (17-9) vs. TWIN VALLEY (20-7)

Today, 7 p.m.

At Christiansburg H.S.

n Twin Valley is two years removed from making the Group A final, where the Panthers lost 51-49 to Clarke County. The team from Buchanan County employs a very physical style, a contrast to Eastern Montgomery's up-tempo pace under first-year coach Jeff Myers. The Mustangs beat Galax to win the Region C Division 1 championship as center Lequin Khalil had 22 points and 12 rebounds. In past years, Eastern Montgomery's season would have ended with a loss to Glenvar in the first round of the Three Rivers District tournament, but the Mustangs have taken advantage of the new Group A split divisions.

GROUP A DIVISION 1 GIRLS

BLAND COUNTY (12-15) VS. RYE COVE (16-10)

Saturday, 6 p.m.

At Virginia H.S.

n Bland County is one of three teams under the newly configurated state tournament format that has a losing record. One of the others is Northwood, which defeated Bland by one point in the Region C Division 1 final. Laurel Hankins leads the Bears in scoring with a 15-point average. Rye Cove, known more for its success in volleyball, had a rash of injuries and was only the No. 5 seed in the Region D Division 1 tournament. Sophomore Christi Hood, who made the game-winning 3-pointer against Twin Valley in the regional final, averages 11.6 points a game and has overcome an elbow injury.

-- Robert Anderson