HANCEVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — A rubber match with a postseason berth on the line is set for Thursday when the Calhoun Warhawks and Wallace State Lions meet in the NJCAA South District Tournament.

The men’s junior college basketball showdown, scheduled for March 12, 2026, features two teams that split their regular-season series, each winning on their home floor. The third meeting carries the highest stakes yet.

Calhoun (14-11) enters as the visiting team following a 98-93 victory over Bishop State last Thursday. Wallace State (13-13) looks to rebound from a heartbreaking 87-86 home loss to Lawson State on the same night.

The teams’ most recent clash was a high-octane affair on March 2, where Wallace State held off Calhoun 109-101. The Lions’ Viczavious Madden was limited to 9 points in that win, but he is coming off a monstrous performance. In the loss to Lawson State, Madden recorded 29 points and 16 rebounds, establishing himself as a dominant force in the paint.

For Calhoun, guard Jordan Johnson will be a key figure. He scorched the Lions for 25 points in the March 2 defeat. The Warhawks will need a similar offensive outburst from Johnson to advance.

The season series has followed a clear pattern: the home team has won. Wallace State’s 109-101 victory in March answered Calhoun’s 88-82 win in February. Now, on a neutral tournament court, that trend will be put to the test.

Both teams have shown volatility down the stretch. Calhoun has alternated wins and losses over its last seven games. Wallace State’s results have been similarly uneven, with a three-game skid in late February giving way to a split in its last two.

The winner will keep its season alive, while the loser will see its campaign come to an end. With the district tournament setting providing a neutral backdrop, the stage is set for a decisive chapter in this tightly contested rivalry.