DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing the UIL GBB Regional Tournament

Summer Creek Bulldogs vs. Seven Lakes Spartans

It would almost seem inevitable that these two squads would eventually meet in the postseason down the stretch. Now that they each enter Round No. 4, tensions should be especially high.

Following their 65-31 victory over Shadow Creek, Summer Creek (33-3) extends their win-streak to 16, which marks the 400-win milestone for Coach Donny Ott. As the Bulldogs head into the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive year, senior guard Janiya Murphy will likely be the difference-maker after putting up 16 points against Shadow Creek.

Also watch for seniors Mariyah Brown and Zachara Perkins, who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, on Tuesday night.

However, they will face their toughest challenge yet when they face off against Seven Lakes (30-8) this Friday.

The Spartans are coming off a hard-fought 81-74 win over a red-hot Fort Bend Austin team, which was buoyed by the dynamic performances of the Carlton sisters -- Justice (Texas-signee) and Madison -- who combined for a whopping 54 points and 23 rebounds.

After coming off their 22nd straight victory, Seven Lakes will be more emboldened than ever. It will truly be a clash of the titans when these two squads meet at the M.O. Campbell Center on Friday night at 7:30 pm.

Cypress Springs Panthers vs. Duncanville Panthers

Cypress Springs (30-2) has been on a war-path since the season began, and their 28-game win-streak is indicative of that.

Most recently, the Panthers are coming off a definitive 75-51 victory over Klein Collins in the Regional Quarters. Coach Taneisha Rogers will undoubtedly keep looking towards her big-three -- Ayla McDowell (20 ppg, 9 rpg), Jemini Mitchell (17 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mizzou-commit Ma'Riya Vincent (14 ppg, 4 rpg)-- to push the pace moving forward.

Cy Springs now looks on to face Duncanville (31-4), who has been on quite the run themselves.

The D'Ville Panthers feature a big-three of their own -- Mariah Clayton (14 ppg, 7 rpg), Chloe Mann (14 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kaylinn Kemp (12 pgg) -- which has them on a nine-game win-streak.

This won't be one you want to miss, when these two face off at the Panther Activity Center in Lufkin, TX, this Friday at 5:30 pm.

Pearland Oilers vs. Hightower Hurricanes

The Oilers (34-4) are coming off 43-41 nail-biter win over C.E. King, which brings their win-streak to a remarkable 23 straight.

Freshman phenom A'Zyua Blair (18 ppg, 3 apg) continues to be a difference-maker for Pearland, alongside senior guard Nyah Hardy (11 ppg, 2 apg), junior forward Eliece Perry (8 ppg, 6 rpg), freshman Shiloh Grays (7 ppg, 7 rpg), and senior La'Niah Thorton (7 ppg, 5 rpg).

Coach Jere' Adams will hope everything keeps clicking on all cylinders, as Pearland aims to return to the state tournament.

They'll have their work cut out for them, given how well Hightower (30-3) has been playing as of late.

With their recent dominant 60-23 win over Stratford, the Hurricanes have already surpassed their mark of the reaching Round No. 3 a year ago, and they don't intend to stop now.

Freshman center Ogechi Okeke (15 pts, 8 rebounds), and junior guard Kailee Beaudion (16 pts) led the way for Hightower against the Spartans, and will be depended on against Pearland, alongside senior guard Madison Bob . However, the most defining factor for the Hurricanes has been their stifling defense, which has limited opponents to just over 30 points per game on the season.

Will that be enough to stop Pearland?

H-Town audiences are certainly eager to find out, when these two titans tip-off on Friday at 6:00 pm, at the M.O. Campbell Center.

Barbers Hill Eagles vs. Chaparral Bobcats

Following their second-consecutive undefeated district campaign, Barbers Hill (30-7) carried over that momentum into the postseason.

Most recently, the Eagles emerged victorious from a 32-28 defensive battle against Manvel, which extends their win-streak to 14. Now, they prepare to face Chaparral (28-6) for the chance to play in the Region III-5A title game.

Coach Bryan Harris will look to his main-stays -- namely sisters Cynthia and Autumn LeCompte, as well as juniors Kynlee Kejonen and Rachel Glynn -- to propel his stellar squad further into the playoffs, which would surpass last year's mark of reaching the fourth round.

On the Chaparral side, coach Kiara Marshall has a trio of players -- Jerriyah Baines (15 ppg), Ivy Powell (14 ppg), Trinity Brown (10 ppg) -- who can pose a threat to the scoreboard.

The right to advance to Round No. 5 is on the line, and these two rosters will duke it out at the Kate ISD Merrell Center, this Friday at 7:30 pm.

Randle Lions vs. Hendrickson Hawks

In just their second year as a varsity program, Randle (28-8) has wasted no time establishing themselves as a Class 5A super-power.

The Lions enter Round No. 4 fresh off the heels of eliminating district rival Foster, in a 52-42 bout, which was highlighted by a clutch performance by senior guard Jaziel King, who had five three-pointers on the night.

Coach Christy Westbrooks and company now prepare to take on Hendrickson (29-7). King won't be the only weapon in her arsenal when Randle takes to the court, given how junior guard Alaysia Cook (14 ppg, 6 rpg) and sophomore Kurynn McNeill (10 ppg, 6 rpg) have been balling.

The Hawks, on the other hand, are eager for the chance to re-write last season's result, in which they narrowly fell 45-43 to Fulshear in the Region III final.

It will all go down 5:30 pm on Friday night, at the Katy ISD Merrell Center.