It’s that time of the year, the calendar is switching, the intensity is increasing, and the stakes are getting higher as Class A boys’ basketball teams head into the post season.

The short-term goal is to live to play another day and reach next week’s round of SoDak 16. The long-term goal is reaching this year’s state tournament in Rapid City.

Here is a look at each of the Class A regions in the area:

Region 1A

Tuesday at Groton and Clark, Friday at highest seeds

On paper, it appears Groton and Clark-Willow Lake will be solid favorites to advance to the SoDak 16.

However, things could get tight before this is settled.

Groton is the top seed, but lost recently to first-round foe Sisseton. The Tigers will be looking forward to the rematch.

Clark-Willow Lake is the second seed, but could have an interesting rematch with Tiospa Zina in the semifinals. CWL won a previous encounter by just three points.

The rest of the field is all pretty even and has the potential to pull off a surprise.

Teams W L

Groton 17-3

Clark-Willow Lake 13-7

Tiospsa Zina 10-8

Milbank Area 9-11

Florence-Henry 8-12

Redfield 8-12

Webster 8-12

Sisseton 9-11

Tuesday’s Games: (5) Florence-Henry vs. (4) Milbank Area at Groton, 6 p.m.; (8) Sisseton at (1) Groton, 7:30 p.m.; (6) Redfield vs. Tiospa Zina (3) at Clark, 6 p.m.; (7) Webster at (2) Clark-Willow Lake, 7:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games: Semifinals at highest remaining seeds.

Region 2A

Tuesday and Friday at highest seeds

If the seeds hold up, expect some quality contests in the semifinals of this region.

Flandreau is the top seed and could meet Deubrook Area in the second round, a team that has already won 13 games.

Sioux Valley and Hamlin would likely meet in the other semi. The Cossacks won a previous matchup and will have home-court advantage, but Hamlin has won eight games in a row and 10 of its last 11 and will not be an easy out. Keep an eye on this one.

Teams W L

Flandreau 16-3

Sioux Valley 15-5

Hamlin 14-6

Deubrook Area 13-7

Deuel 10-10

Elkton-Lake Benton 11-9

Great Plains Lutheran 8-12

Flandreau Indian School 1-13

Tuesday’s Games: (8) Flandreau Indian School at (1) Flandreau, 7 p.m.; (5) Deuel at (4) Deubrook Area, 7 p.m.; (7) Great Plains Lutheran at (2) Sioux Valley, 7 p.m.; (6) Elkton-Lake Benton at (3) Hamlin, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games: Semifinals at highest seeds.