Lakeland High School’s boys’ basketball team is set to start postseason play Friday.

It is officially win or go home for the Cavs, or rather win or stay home in this case, as Lakeland High School will be hosting Southampton High School in the Class 3 Region A tournament Friday. Due to a power rating system, Lakeland is the No. 8 seed in the region and will take on Southampton, which is the No. 9 seed.

For the first time this season, Lakeland will face strictly Class 3 Region A teams. The Southeastern District is one of the tougher districts in Hampton Roads for boys’ basketball, and Lakeland feels the schedule they have played this season will help prepare them for this moment.

“There are about six other teams out there who had to travel, and we actually get a chance to host a regional game,” Cavs coach Clint Wright said. “We are going to do what we do well offensively and defensively, and we are going to hope for a successful night. No disrespect to our opponents or classification, but we don’t believe we will see the size and speed we have previously seen this season. Playing in the SED has helped us for this tournament.”

Wright believes seizing the moment will help the Cavs be successful. With the Cavs being a young team, some might question whether the playoff atmosphere will be too big for the young Cavs. Knowing that this is a one-and-done situation, Wright believes will motivate his team to play with urgency from the tip.

“The way we have played the latter part of the season has put us in the position that we are in,” Wright said. “We have to continue to play with urgency and play intelligent basketball. It’s all about execution, and we plan on doing that.”

Lakeland will host Southampton in the regional tournament at 7 p.m. Friday. If Lakeland wins, the Cavs will go on the road to face Hopewell High School at 8 p.m. Tuesday.