It's inevitable.

But this year it's too early.

After meeting in the title game in each of the last two years, the Tongue River and Lovell girls are slated for an earlier showdown in the Class 2A bracket this year - the rivals square off in the first round of the Wyoming State High School Basketball Championships tonight at 6 at Casper College.

"This one kinda breaks the mold," Lovell coach Bob Geiser said.

The Bulldogs and Eagles have been wearing the mold out lately - tonight will mark the ninth meeting between the 2A title contenders in the last three years - but Tongue River has had the better end of the friendly rivalry in winning back-to-back state championships.

They split a pair of regular season meetings this year - both winning on their home court - in a series that has become a state tournament staple.

"What I've been trying to focus on with the kids is that we knew coming down to the state tournament that we were going to have to go through Lovell to do something this weekend," Tongue River coach Dianne Moser said. "Had things gone like we both wanted it to over the weekend (at the regionals), we probably would have met in the semifinals anyway.

"First game, second game, I guess it doesn't matter."

After getting through its challenge game on Monday, Tongue River will also meet Lovell in the first game on the boys' side of the bracket today at 4:30 at Casper College. The Eagles beat Moorcroft by 14 to earn a third shot at the Bulldogs this year, after Lovell swept the two regular season contests.

Both girls teams are coming off losses last weekend - Tongue River saw its 16-game winning streak come to an end against Big Horn and Lovell dropped the West Region championship game to Wyoming Indian - and for once the winner at the state tournament won't automatically clinch a trophy.

"(It's an early meeting), but we both messed up last weekend, and that's what happens," Moser said. "It's a competitive rivalry, but it's always been a friendly rivalry and we're looking forward to it.

"Our girls get along great, we respect one another's programs, and whenever we play it seems like it's always a good ballgame."

Geiser said familiarity plays a big part in the competitive nature of the series - which is the same reason that the rivalry hasn't really borne any animosity.

"I enjoy coaching against Dianne Moser, because she's the mark you've got to shoot for if you want to win championships at this level, and we know each other so well," he said. "They're all such good matchups, and every game is important in this rivalry.

"We just take them one at a time."

This time, they'll take the Eagles first.

Contact sports reporter Austin Ward at (307) 266-0634 or austin.ward@casperstartribune.net