While no coach or player is willing to admit it, tonight’s Cold Springs versus West Point girls’ matchup seems destined to repeat itself three times this season with the finale coming at the county championship finals.

Round one, of what might be an epic three-part series, tips off tonight around 6:15 at West Point’s gymnasium.

“Everyone has predicted that West Point and Cold Springs will play in the county championship,” said junior point guard Celina Blackwood. “We know that we have to come with our ‘A’ game to beat them. They are definitely our rival this season in the county. We know that if we play like we have a few games this season, that we are going to win.”

The similarities and differences between both teams are what makes the contest so intriguing.

Both teams are led by a star center — West Point by UAB signee Amanda Scott and Cold Springs by Tiffany Campbell.

Each squad has a standout point guard that can knock down the long-range shot while setting up their team’s respective offense — West Point by Blackwood and Cold Springs by Natalie Mullins.

West Point has won all five of its county games this season while marching to an impressive 8-2 mark and No. 8 ranking in Class 4A.

Cold Springs has romped through all seven of its county games with an 11-2 overall record and No. 9 ranking in 2A.

“This is going to be a tough game for both teams,” Scott said. “Their will be a lot of competition and you know both teams will be ready to play. It’s going to be a great matchup because both teams have good shooters and post players. Their is a lot of motivation to win.”

While both teams share their similarities, West Point and Cold Springs definitely have their differences according to Scott.

“We are a lot bigger than them,” Scott noted. ” But they definitely have the advantage in speed and quickness.”

Cold Springs’ head coach Tammy West hopes her girls do a good job of negating West Point’s size.

“We are going to have to be able to rebound tomorrow night,” West said. “We are also going to have to keep them just to one shot.”

West Point head coach Regina Jones feels the key to her team coming out victorious will be decided on the defensive side of the ball.

“We must shut down their outside shooters,” Jones said. “Everyone on their team can shoot the ball well. They have so many girls that can step up, we must play good defense all around.”

Blackwood agrees with her coach’s assessment of what it will take to win the big game.

“We must play physical defense,” Blackwood said. “We have to guard their shooters and offensively must work the ball around. We can’t have any turnovers.”

West believes for the Lady Eagles to be successful they must hit a better percent of their shots than the 16 percent they hit against Cleveland.

“We have to be able to hit our shots to be successful,” West said. “I think Tiffany Campbell and Natalie Mullins will have a good game, but we need Dustin Harbison to have a real good game.

“The girls are really excited about playing but are a little nervous. They know how big a game this is and that their will be a huge crowd.”