By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It’s do-or-die time.

The state basketball tournament gets under way this week, with 32 teams in each of the state’s seven classifications hoping to move a step closer to a championship.

Among the participants in the state tournament are the boys’ and girls’ teams from Callaway and Troup.

While the Troup girls’ team will be at home, the other teams will be on the road for their first-round tests.

The Troup Lady Tigers (17-8), who lost a close one to Sandy Creek in the Region 5-AAAA championship game, will host Oconee County in a first-round matchup on Friday at 6 p.m.

Oconee County (15-12) finished third in the Region 8-AAAA tournament.

Also on Friday, the Troup Tigers (17-9) will visit Stephens County for a first-round game at 7 p.m.

Troup earned its state spot by finishing third in Region 5-AAAA, while Stephens County (16-10) is the number two seed from Region 8-AAAA after losing to St. Pius X in the region-championship game.

Callaway’s boys’ and girls’ teams will play on Saturday, and they’ll be on the road.

The Callaway Cavaliers (12-11), who finished third in Region 5-AA, will take on Banks County, with tip-off set for 6 p.m.

Banks County (19-9) is the second-place team from Region 8-AA.

The Callaway Lady Cavaliers (13-9) will be at Elbert County on Saturday for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

Elbert County (11-17) was sixth in Region 8-AA during the regular season, but it finished second in the region tournament.

FRIDAY

GIRLS

Oconee County at Troup, 6 p.m.

BOYS

Troup at Stephens County, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

GIRLS

Callaway at Elbert County, 6 p.m.

BOYS

Callaway at Banks County, 6 p.m.