The race nobody seems to want to win concludes on Thursday when the Region 5-4A boys basketball campaign closes the book on the 2013.

Lexington and Aiken have been shaky down the stretch, giving North Augusta a chance to become a factor. Currently, the Wildcats are tied for first place at 6-3 with North Augusta with Aiken one game back at 5-4. Things are as confusing at the bottom of the standings. White Knoll and Dutch Fork are tied for fourth place with 4-5 records and South Aiken is 3-6.

Lexington and Aiken have stumbled down the stretch. The Wildcats suffering a 55-49 loss to Dutch Fork on Tuesday after taking control of the championship race with a win over Aiken last Friday. North Augusta kept the Green Hornets woes going with a win on Tuesday.

No question, North Augusta is the hot team right now. The Yellow Jackets have won four in a row beginning with a 84-59 rout of Lexington on Jan. 25.

If Lexington and North Augusta finish in a tie for first place, NA gets the nod for the No. 1 seed.

Every game on the docket tonight has postseason implications: Lexington at White Knoll, Dutch Fork at North Augusta, Aiken at South Aiken.

Dutch Fork has salvaged a tough season with a late charge. The Silver Foxes have four four of five – a stretch that started with a win over North Augusta on Jan. 22. DF is the last region team to beat NA. The roll also included a win over White Knoll.

There is no such drama in the concurrent girls race.

Unbeaten, top-ranked Dutch Fork is looking to close out at 10-0 run to the region championship with a win at North Augusta. The Silver Foxes (23-0, 9-0) have won 34 games in a row, 17 straight in region play.

North Augusta and Aiken are confirmed playoff entries, and Lexington can bank a postseason invitation by beating last-place White Knoll tonight.