The ultimate goal is to qualify for the State A basketball tournament. The short-term goal is to reach next week’s SoDak round. The immediate goal is to win the next game. The sense of urgency starts tonight as Class A boys’ basketball teams begin region play.

Here is a look at a pair of region tournaments involving area teams.

Region 1A at top seeds

If there is one totally unpredictable region in the state it would have to be this one. There are six teams who all figure to be in the conversation about making it to the SoDak 16.

Groton is the top seed, but the Tigers went just 3-4 in their last seven games, including losses to Tiospa Zina and Aberdeen Roncalli.

Tiospa Zina is the second seed, but suffered a 20-point setback to Sisseton in its final regular-season game.

Sisseton is the third seed and won back-to-back home games against Redfield and Tiospa Zina to close out the regular season.

Redfield is a dangerous foe as evidenced by wins over Tiospa Zina and Roncalli to start the season.

Milbank Area has lost three straight but does own some quality victories this season.

Roncalli is under .500, but the Cavaliers have won six of their last eight, including triumphs over Sisseton, Groton and Milbank Area during that stretch.

Groton 13-7

Tiopsa Zina 12-6

Sisseton 11-9

Redfield 11-9

Milbank Area 10-10

Aberdeen Roncalli 9-11

Webster 3-17

Tuesday’s Games: Milbank Area at Redfield, 7 p.m.; Webster at Tisopa Zina, 7 p.m.; Aberdeen Roncalli at Sisseton, 7 p.m.; Groton, bye.

Friday’s Games: Milbank Area-Redfield winner at Groton, 7 p.m.; Aberdeen Roncalli-Sisseton winner vs. Webster-Tiospa Zina at highest remaining seed, 7 p.m.

Region 2A at top seeds

There is only one team in this region with a losing record. That means multiple teams with solid records will be heading home this week.

Sioux Valley has lost just one game all season. The Cossacks own double-digit victories against every region foe it has faced.

Florence-Henry and Flandreau could have quite a semifinal battle should Flandreau win its opening round contest. The two did not meet in the regular season.

Florence-Henry carries a 10-game winning streak into the post season and should benefit from having the semifinal on its home court. Flandreau went 4-4 down the stretch, but two of those losses were to top-rated Class A Vermillion and top-rated Class B De Smet.

Sioux Valley 19-1

Florence-Henry 15-4

Flandreau 14-6

Clark-Willow Lake 13-7

Hamlin 11-9

Deuel 4-15

Tuesday’s Games: Hamlin at Clark-Willow Lake, 7 p.m.; Deuel at Flandreau, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games: Hamlin/Clark-Willow Lake winner at Sioux Valley, 7 p.m.; Deuel-Flandreau winner at Florence-Henry, 7 p.m.