When the Abbeville Lady Wildcats host NV on Tuesday, Feb. 7, there should be plenty of drama for the fans in attendance to absorb.

Though the game lost some drama when the Erath Lady Bobcats (16-12, 6-3) defeated the Lady Pats on Friday, there are still plot lines that matter.

NV (16-8, 8-2) dropped to 28th in Ken Ramsey’s unofficial power ratings, while Erath rose to 27. Both teams are still on the bubble. Only the top-32 teams get playoff spots.

“We had an opportunity,” said NV head coach Phillip Freeman of the 51-49 loss at Erath. “We just didn’t take advantage of it.

“That’s what I told the kids on Friday. I mean, you can point the finger and try to place blame. But, if you watch the film, I’m pretty sure there’s things we could have done better starting with me at the top.”

NV could have been playing the Lady Wildcats (22-6, 10-0) for a chance at the District 9-3A title on Tuesday night were it not for the loss at Erath, but, mathematically, the Lady Pats could still pull off an improbable comeback to grab the title and the automatic berth in the LHSAA playoffs that comes with it.

For that to happen, NV must first defeat Abbeville. Then, NV must win its final district game at home against Kaplan (8-16, 4-5) on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Finally, the Lady Pats must hope for an unlikely upset by Berwick when it hosts the Lady Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 10. Should all of those pieces fall into place, the Lady Pats and Lady Wildcats would be tied and forced to play a one-game playoff at a neutral site for the district title.

Freeman said he knows the situation.

“Realistically, we’re playing for second place,” he said. “It’s not where we want to be. But, at the same time, we’re not disappointed to be where we are... We can’t wait for somebody else to help us out. We’ve just got to take care of ourselves right now.”

Taking care of their business for NV would entail beating AHS and winning at VC on Friday, which would likely push NV up in the rankings.

“If we could get to the 24 or 25 spot, I’d be happy,” said Freeman. “I’d prefer a home game, but getting in is better than sitting out watching.”