The first two rounds of the boys basketball playoffs weren’t kind to the Big Country, leaving just nine area teams standing this week in the region quarterfinal round.

With two games involving a pair of Big Country schools — both at the Class 1A level — we’re certain to have at least two teams playing in this weekend’s regional tournaments. But when you get to the third round of the playoffs, little else is guaranteed.

With that said, let’s take a look at what the area’s nine survivors are up against this week.