Georgiana's John Cheatham is going to get the match-up that he's been waiting for. Saturday afternoon, his Lady Panthers will take the floor against the Flomaton Lady Hurricanes in the Area 2 Tournament final. This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season. FHS has picked up the victory both times.

Last season the Lady Panthers were the runners-up and had to travel to Washington County and face the Lady Indians. Georgiana posted the victory and earned the right to go to the University of South Alabama and play in the regional tournament.

The 2004-2005 version of the Lady Panthers started the area tournament off with a win Thursday night over Red Level.

This Red Level squad has been struggling this season. During their Christmas Tournament, in one game they were only able to post 18 points.

It was going to take more than that to beat the Lady Panthers, but the Lady Tigers proved not to be up to the task.

Georgiana secured themselves at least two more games Thursday night when they defeated the Lady Tigers of Red Level. Lakeisha Crittendon posted 21 points, followed by Patrice Cheatham's 13 points.

The Lady Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the first period and never looked back. At the conclusion of the opening frame, GHS had pushed out to a 13-point lead, 21-8 and then swelled it to a halftime lead of 35-16. Following the intermission, the Lady Panthers continued their offensive explosion by cruising out to a 25-point lead, 47-22.

That proved to be the margin for the remainder of the game as Georgiana was able to post the 58-34 victory.

Shataska Mobley and Tenisha Page both posted seven points in the victory. Red Level was led offensively by Erica Crawford with eight points.

The win pushed the Lady Panthers into the finals and a rematch with host, Flomaton. Despite a win or a loss, the Lady Panthers have the earned the right for a one game sub-regional from either the winner or the runner-up from Region 8, which is predominately in north Alabama.

The area championship is set for Saturday at 7 p.m., and will be played in Flomaton.