It’s been a long time since the Wayland High School gym has been host to a showdown.

But Friday at 6 p.m. local hoops fans can take in the real deal in the battle for the O-K Gold Conference girls’ basketball championship between Wayland and South Christian.

The host Lady Wildcats enter the contest with a 10-1 league record and 16-3 overall. Their only defeat in the Gold was 54-48 to Sailors in a game in which they trailed 28-8 at the half before making a game of it.

But it was too little, too late in the six-point loss, giving coach Wes Hudson’s charges incentive not only for revenge, but also for their second league title in the last three years. If Wayland wins Friday, it will clinch at least a share of the crown because other contenders Kenowa Hills and Grand Rapids Catholic Central both have four losses.

The ‘Cats almost stumbled Tuesday night at Grand Rapids Catholic Central while trying climb those golden stairs. But they managed to pull out a 59-53 victory in overtime.

South Christian has been an interesting and dangerous ball club, as usual. The Sailors did not get off to a quality start in the season.

However, after they lost Jan. 17 to Kenowa, they since have reeled off eight consecutive victories. The first in that streak was that upset over Wayland, which makes observers wonder if it even was an upset.

The Lady ‘Cats are led in scoring by sophomore Harmony Laker and senior guard Maddy Terry. They also field a large and promising, but green cast of freshmen, who sometimes step up their game to make a difference.

If the Lady Wildcats lose, they will fall into a first-place tie at 10-2 for the O-K Gold’s top spot with just two more games left in the regular season. If they win, they’ll be back in the saddle again.