It’s the time of year where you hear high school basketball coaches, players and fans throw out the words seeds, coin flips and brackets.

We’re talking area tournament time.

The 2009-10 regular season is close to being a thing of the past, and while we bid farewell to it, the excitement has just begun as teams across the state battle for their seasons to continue.

To get you ready for next week’s area tournament action, here’s a brief look at who’s playing whom around the area.

Class 1A, Area 12 Boys (at Cedar Bluff)

The Class 1A, Area 12 boys tournament came down to a coin flip on Tuesday, the result of fifth-ranked Cedar Bluff’s 59-53 loss to Gaston on Monday. The loss gave both teams an identical 9-1area record.

Cedar Bluff (21-3) won the toss and will play the winner of No. 4 Asbury and No. 5 Collinsville on Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. The Asbury-Collinsville game is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Cedar Bluff.

Gaston (15-7) faces the winner of No. 3 Spring Garden and No. 6 Gaylesville Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. The Spring Garden-Gaylesville game is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Cedar Bluff.

The Class 1A, Area 12 championship game will be Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Cedar Bluff, with the winner and runner-up advancing to the sub-regionals on Feb. 12.

Class 1A, Area 12 Girls (at Gaston)

The Class 1A, Area 12 girls tournament will be hosted by Gaston. The Lady Bulldogs (18-4) play next Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and will face the winner of No. 4 Collinsville and No. 5 Asbury. That game is set for Monday at 5:30 p.m.

The No. 2 seed Spring Garden Lady Panthers (14-8) await the winner of Monday’s 7 p.m. battle between No. 3 Cedar Bluff and No. 6 Gaylesville. Spring Garden plays the winner next Thursday at 7 p.m. at Gaston.

The Class 1A, Area 12 girls championship is set for Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 11.

Class 2A, Area 12 Boys (at Sand Rock)

The road to a repeat Class 2A Final Four appearance for Sand Rock begins at home. The third-ranked Wildcats (21-3) open Class 2A, Area 12 tournament play next Friday at 6 p.m. when they take on West End.

Geraldine battles Westbrook Christian in the other area tournament semifinal. That game is also scheduled for next Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Sand Rock.

The Class 2A, Area 12 boys championship will be Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 12.

Class 2A, Area 12 Girls (at Geraldine)

The Sand Rock Lady Wildcats (14-11) earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 2A, Area 12 girls tournament and open play against No. 3 Westbrook Christian. That game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Geraldine on Thursday.

The other area semifinal pits top seed Geraldine against West End. That game is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Class 1A, Area 12 girls championship is scheduled for Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 11.

Class 3A, Area 10 Boys (at Piedmont)

Another return trip to the Class 3A Northeast Regionals for the Piedmont Bulldogs begins on their home court.

The third-ranked Bulldogs (16-7) open Class 3A, Area 10 tournament play next Friday at 6 p.m., when they’ll play the winner of Tuesday’s White Plains-Weaver game.

The No. 2 seed Glencoe Yellowjackets battle Pleasant Valley at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at Piedmont in the other area tournament semifinal.

The Class 3A, Area 10 boys championship is set for 7 p.m. in Piedmont. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 12.

Class 3A, Area 10 Girls (at Glencoe)

The Piedmont Lady Bulldogs (14-10) claimed the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A, Area 10 girls tournament and begin tournament play on Thursday against No. 3 Pleasant Valley. That game is set for 7:30 p.m. in Glencoe.

Top-seeded Glencoe awaits the winner of Monday’s White Plains-Weaver game, which is slated 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Class 3A, Area 10 girls championship is next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Glencoe. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 11.

Class 4A, Area 12 Boys (at Jacksonville)

The No. 2 seed Cherokee County Warriors (13-5) and the No. 3 seed Alexandria Valley Cubs will square off for the third time this season next Friday at 6 p.m. in Jacksonville. Both teams split in the regular-season, with the Warriors coming away with a 58-37 victory on Tuesday.

In the other Class 4A, Area 12 semifinal, Jacksonville takes on Hokes Bluff on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Class 4A, Area 12 championship is Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in Jacksonville. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 12.

Class 4A, Area 12 Girls (at Centre)

Following Cherokee County’s 42-39 victory over Alexandria on Tuesday, a tie was created for the top spot in Class 4A, Area 12. Both teams finished area play with a 4-2 record, forcing a coin flip on Thursday.

The flip went in favor of the Lady Warriors (8-9), who will host the Class 4A, Area 12 tournament on Thursday.

Top-seeded Cherokee County opens the tournament against Jacksonville on Thursday at 7 p.m. Hokes Bluff battles Alexandria in the other tournament semifinal, also on Thursday at 5 p.m. in Centre.

The Class 4A, Area 12 championship is Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. in Centre. The winner and runner-up advance to the sub-regionals on Feb. 11.