Even though the teams are no longer in the same section, they meet during the regular season.

Tonight at Richard P. Simmons Memorial Gymnasium, a berth to the state tournament is on the line when the Lady Tigers and Lady Colts square off at 7 p.m. in a Class AAA, Region II co-final.

In December of 1982, when the girls basketball season was played in the fall, an Elkins squad, featuring Alexis Basil and Kim Lewis, outlasted the Lady Colts in a five-overtime thriller to capture the sectional title en route to playing for a state championship.

The 2023-24 version of the teams may not battle for five overtimes but are evenly matched, with the Lady Tigers defeating visiting Philip Barbour by seven during the regular season.

Senior all-stater Braylen Sparks guides the Philip Barbour offense from the point guard position.

Both feature strong senior leaders as Elkins (17-7) looks to the trio of Gracelin Corley, who needs just three points to reach 1,000 for her career, Emerson Haddix and Laney Fletcher, along with second-leading scorer junior Maddie Belan.

The Lady Colts (14-8) counter with senior all-state point guard Braylen Sparks and hard-nosed senior defender Jorjalynn Ward.

Senior Arrington Sparks has been plagued by an ankle injury.

A talented group of freshmen in 5-foot-10 Izzy Knotts and Rylee Bodkins also figure into the scoring.

Knotts had 20 points and 14 rebounds in the loss to top-ranked East Fairmont in the sectional title game.

Several participants in tonight’s game were also on the pitch when the schools battled in the regional soccer finals in the fall.

Elkins and head coach Matt Davis are seeking their first state tourney berth in 17 years, while Rick Mouser’s squad played for the state title last March, falling to North Marion.