Thomas Heyward's road to a third straight SCISAA Class 2-A girls state basketball championship appearance will start with a Friday matchup against Carolina Academy.

The defending state champion Rebels (22-2) learned their matchup when the SCISAA playoff pairings were released on Wednesday. All games are at neutral sites.

Thomas Heyward is the top seed in its half of the bracket. Also in 2-A, on the other side of the draw on Friday, fifth-seeded Beaufort Academy (10-11) faces fourth-seeded Calhoun Academy.

In the 2-A boys, fifth-seeded Beaufort Academy plays fourth-seeded The King's Academy on Saturday, while seventh-seeded Thomas Heyward plays second-seeded Oakbrook Prep on the other side of the bracket.

In the Class 3-A girls, Hilton Head Christian (19-10) is the No. 3 seed in the upper bracket and faces Ben Lippen, the upper sixth seed, on Friday. In 3-A boys, Hilton Head Prep (14-12), the lower sixth seed, faces lower third seed Northwood Academy on Saturday.

AREA SCISAA PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

Friday

2-A Girls: Beaufort Academy vs. Calhoun Academy at Sumter Civic Center, 5 p.m.

2-A Girls: Thomas Heyward Academy vs. Carolina Academy at Wilson Hall, 8 p.m.

3-A Girls: Hilton Head Christian Academy vs. Ben Lippen at Pinewood Prep, 8 p.m.

Saturday

2-A Boys: Beaufort Academy vs. King's Academy at Wilson Hall, 4 p.m.

2-A Boys: Thomas Heyward Academy vs. Oakbrook Prep at Heathwood Hall, 4 p.m.

3-A Boys: Hilton Head Prep vs. Northwood Academy at Porter-Gaud, 5:30 p.m.