Sub-State games at South Greene used to be an annual event. It's been nearly 10 years since the Lady Rebels have hosted, and they hope having the home crowd behind them tonight will give them the extra boost they need to get to Murfreesboro.

Austin-East from Knoxville pays a visit to the Rebel gym at 7 p.m. with the winner earning a berth to the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament.

South Greene coach Derek Dyer knows it will be a challenge.

"We expect a fast tempo game," Dyer said. "The last time we had to go play them in Sub-State, they ended up scoring 97 on us. We are going to try to keep the score much lower than that, obviously. It's going to be a quick pace game. We like to play the same style. They are going to get up and down the floor, do a lot of pressure just like we like to play."

South Greene won in Sub-State last year at Seymour to earn a trip to Murfreesboro. In 2008, the Lady Rebels had to play Austin-East on the road, losing 97-74. The Lady Rebs lost at Seymour in 2004 and lost at A-E in 2002.

The Lady Rebs' last home Sub-State game was in 2001, and the South Greene faithful are eager and ready to relive the electric atmosphere that comes with a Sweet 16 matchup in the storied gymnasium.

Tickets went on sale Thursday morning, and a big crowd is expected. Gates open today at 5 p.m.

Just like the crowd, Dyer wants the team to get an early start.

"There is no way we can fall behind early in this game because they are going to keep coming after us," he said. "In the past two games we have gotten off to a bad shooting night. We have to really come out and finish the easy shots on any opportunities we have early."

South Greene enters the game with a 25-6 overall record. Region and district tournament MVP Ansley Ricker, senior starters Rechelle Dye and Brandi Crum, Shelby Hicks, Maelyn Cutshaw and Ashley Tweed have helped lead the Lady Rebs to 14 wins in their last 15 games.

Austin-East, the District 3-AA tournament champs, has an 18-8 record. The Lady Roadrunners lost 62-57 to Christian Academy of Knoxville in the region championship game.

Mercedes Smith, JaWanza Swaggerty and Antrece Taylor all earned all-region tournament honors.

Vanetta Robinson-Kelso wasn't the head coach at Austin-East in 2008 when South Greene traveled to Knoxville for Sub-State. Fans that made the trip will remember the way A-E played. Although they've changed coaches, the Lady Roadrunners still like to get the ball up and down the floor.

"We still believe in our transition game and fast pace basketball," she said.

The Lady Roadrunners figure they will need that fast pace game against the Lady Rebels.

"We are looking for a very competitive game in a very competitive atmosphere," the coach said.

Dyer knows the Lady Rebs will be challenged by Austin-East, but they are too close to reaching the prize at the end of the season to let it slip away.

South Greene played its way into the state semifinals last season. Four of the five starters are veterans of that team, and Dyer hopes that experience will help the team keep focus, to control the game and play its way back to Murfreesboro.

"I think if we can keep the tempo set the way we like it and with the home crowd, I think we have a good shot to get back down the road," Dyer said.