Shelby County&8217;s basketball showcase does not end with the boys, but drives forward with the girls, as two teams prepare to host area tournaments with others looking to play the role of spoiler.

Class 6A

The Thompson Lady Warriors

have something to prove in Class 6A this weekend. They wrapped up

the regular season Monday night with a 68-49 win over Vestavia Hills, a 2005-06 Final Four team. It was the first time in at least 10 years that Thompson swept the Lady Rebels.

&8220;The win obviously helps our confidence and is really big mentally for us,&8221; said head coach Cara Crosslin.

Momentum may be the key for this team that went 6-0 through regular season Area 10 play and will most likely match up with a tough Pelham team in Saturday&8217;s final.

&8220;They&8217;re very hard to match up with,&8221; Crosslin said. &8220;I think it&8217;s going to come down to a physical battle of who wants it more. I hope my players want it more.&8221;

CLASS 5A

Area titles are nothing new to Coach Leroy Miles, Jr. His Shelby County Wildcats swept through Area 6 to position themselves with the opportunity to win their third area tournament in seven years. However, it may not be as easy as the regular season.

&8220;Every team is improving and getting better, so it’s very important that we minimize our mistakes and play hard,&8221; Miles said. &8220;I can recall the last time we were in the area tournament we lost in the first round, so it’s very important that we execute.&8221;

The Lady &8216;Cats will have their first opportunity to capture the area on their home court since hosting the tournament in 2002-03.

Briarwood Christian travels to Ramsey for the Area 8 tournament Thursday.

CLASS 3A

Near perfection is the best way to describe the overlooked Montevallo Lady Bulldogs, who travel to Aliceville Thursday for the Area 6 tournament. Despite a record of 16-1 over all and 5-1 in the area, the Dawgs will hit the road after losing a tie-breaking coin toss to Aliceville.

&8220;I&8217;d like to host the tournament, but I think we have something to prove by beating (Aliceville) on their home floor, which is what we should have done the first time,&8221; said head coach Tena Nivens.

As for a near perfect record, Nivens did not see it coming.

&8220;I knew we had a chance at going undefeated once we looked at the schedule, but I never thought we&8217;d just have one loss at this point,&8221; she said.

The Dawgs open with Gordo Thursday as they begin their pursuit of a repeat.

Calera travels to Altamont for the Area 7 tournament, where they fell a week ago, but look to spoil the Knights&8217; chances at cutting down their home nets.

CLASS 2A

Vincent meets Thorsby in the first game of the Area 7 tournament at Shades Mountain Christian