The 2012-13 basketball season may be just under way, but it heats up in Newton County this weekend.

Newton, Alcovy and Eastside are still trying to find their way in the new season with one game played for Eastside and three apiece for Alcovy and Newton and will have a chance to really test themselves starting Friday.

The Rams host 2011-12 state playoff competitor Jenkins today in a postseason rematch. The Rams (2-0) have come out on top in both of those playoff contests, beating Jenkins 46-38 to reach the elite eight in 2011, after a 59-47 win in 2010, in which they ended up in the final four.

After playing Jenkins, of three-straight playoff appearances, Newton then has to take on the task, of not only another playoff foe, but a Region 2-AAAAAA mate and cross town rivals Alcovy.

The Tigers joined Newton as a state-level team in 2011-12, compiling a 27-4 record and reaching the third round of the state playoffs, their second-straight postseason appearance.

Alcovy beat Newton's boys in both matchups last year and own a three-game winning streak over the Rams.

Newton won the previous five straight and are looking to get back to its winning ways.

The Lady Rams reached the playoffs in 2011-12, and after Jenkins also take on a state-power in Alcovy.

The Lady Tigers are state ranked after reaching the final four last season. They are also coming off two straight losses, before facing Eastside today.

Alcovy's girls start things off by traveling to Eastside, which it has beaten in the last three matchups.

The Newton girls team beat Alcovy 79-69 on Jan. 14, snapping a three-game skid in the series.

Eastside and Alcovy start the weekend of rivalries with the girls facing off at 7 p.m. today.

Alcovy is in need of its first win in what was primed to be a promising season with an Alabama and Auburn signee in Ashley Williams and Meagan Tucker, respectively.

Eastside already has two victories and has several tune-up games left before region play.

Following the Lady Eagles and Lady Tigers matchup, the boys' teams take the floor. Eastside has two straight wins, including a 61-48 victory Tuesday, and Alcovy dropped its first game to Morgan County by two points, 64-62, Saturday.

The very next day, Alcovy welcomes another in-state rival in Newton. This time, however, more is on the line as both teams are playing in the same region for the first time, 2-AAAAAA.