As county basketball teams begin play in their area tournaments this week, there are intriguing matchups that stand out from the 16 area games being played tomorrow and Friday.

Class 4A, Area 8 boys: Chelsea Hornets vs. Montevallo Bulldogs (Friday, 6 p.m. at Holt)

The Bulldogs and Hornets traded victories in regular season area play this year. Montevallo won the first game in an overtime thriller 56-54 on Jan. 3, with freshman Dejaun Fulgham hitting a three-pointer with six seconds left in the extra period to give his team the victory.

Chelsea&8217;s Davin Palmer and Joe Wells helped the Hornets return the loss on Jan. 24, defeating the Bulldogs convincingly 40-29. Palmer and Wells had 16 points each in the win.

The Hornets come into tomorrow night&8217;s matchup with a winning record.

Wells has been the secret weapon for Chelsea after transferring to the high school from Shades Valley in December. Wells has averaged a double-double in almost every game he has played for the Hornets, who have played well since his arrival for the second half of the season.

Montevallo senior Brian Fulgham has proved this season that he can battle back against Wells down low, but the Bulldogs&8217; power forward will have to play a defensively sound game if he wants to give his team a chance to win.

Class 6A, Area 6 girls: Thompson Lady Warriors vs. Vestavia Hills Lady Rebels (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Vestavia Hills)

The Lady Rebels have gotten the best of the Lady Warriors twice this year, winning at Thompson 47-34 on Jan. 13 and at home on Jan. 24 by a score of 53-42.

Following the two teams&8217; first game, the Lady Rebels climbed the ASWA 6A girls&8217; rankings from fifth to fourth place while the Warriors fell from ninth to out of the top 10.

Thompson&8217;s second loss to Vestavia came in the middle of a losing streak that the squad has since shaken off. The Warriors come into Thursday&8217;s matchup with a 25-6 record while Vestavia Hills boasts a 27-3 record this season