The Region 5-3A basketball campaign begins Friday with three varsity doubleheaders on the slate. Airport travels to Swansea, Gilbert is at Midland Valley for its official Class 3A debut and Brookland-Cayce hosts Strom Thurmond.

The Airport-Swansea boys game figures to be the spotlight affair.

Airport (7-6) has been a competitive club in the early going. The Eagles are a well-balanced team with solid contributions by senior Manny Poston (15.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg), junior Quan Bovain (9.9 ppg), senior Forrest Arnold (9.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and sophomore Sammy Frazier (8.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg).

Senior Terrance Salley (13.0 ppg) and junior Omar Butler (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg) are the leaders for the 6-5 Tigers.