The storied Lanier High gymnasium on 833 W. Maple Street in central Jackson will host the MHSAA Region 6-4A tournament this week.

Both Lawrence County High teams are in action Tuesday night in elimination games against familiar opponents.

Coach Vicki Rutland and her LC Lady Cougars (11-14, 3-7) begin tournament play Tuesday at 4 p.m. by tangling with Lanier (6-17, 3-7). 

Rutland and her team beat Lanier 33-31 in Monticello but lost 29-17 to the Lady Dogs on Jan. 10 in Jackson.

Both schools are in rebuilding mode as LC is two-years removed from a 4A state title and Lanier was 27-4 last season before losing in the 4A semifinals.

South Pike (14-7) and North Pike (16-11) meet in the other quarterfinal game. The winner of it will play Raymond (14-10) while McComb (21-6) awaits the winner of the LC and Lanier matchup on Thursday.

Longtime head coach Pat Bridges and his Cougars (17-9, 5-5) take the court tonight at 5:30 p.m. to face North Pike (9-19, 3-7) on the boys’ side of the ledger.

Just last Tuesday North Pike raced past LC 84-64 in Summit. The Cougars were 72-63 winners over NP in at home earlier this season. Lanier (8-18) faces McComb (10-17) in the other semifinal game.

Raymond (19-7) — winner of three straight 4A state titles — awaits the victor of the Lanier and McComb game. The winner of LC and NP will face South Pike (17-7) Thursday in the semifinals.

If teams lose on Tuesday, their season is over. Playoff seeding will be decided Thursday and Friday.

Those who make the title game Friday night will host first round playoff games next Monday (girls) or Tuesday (boys). Teams who end up in the consolation bracket will travel for their first-round games.