The Gaffney boys basketball team’s game against Clover tonight is big for no other reason than the Indians can clinch the region championship with a victory.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Indians are two games on top of Lancaster in the region standings and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bruins. Spartanburg is four games back.

“Our first goal is to win the region so we get as many playoff games as possible,” Gaffney coach Mark Huff said. “We would rather play at home in the playoffs because we feel we have a big home-court advantage.”

Today’s game may be closer than some would expect. The Blue Eagles are just 2-5 but they are coming off a dominating 78-55 win over Rock Hill on Tuesday. They played the Indians tough before falling 59-51 in the teams’ earlier matchup.

Huff said the Blue Eagles will change defenses with regularity in an attempt to disrupt the Indians’ offensive rhythm.

Clover also possesses one of the top shooters in the region in Cody Bauer, who had seven threes against Rock Hill.

Despite their region record, the Blue Eagles are also in contention for a playoff spot.

“They still have a lot to play for,” Huff said.

The Indians (16-4, 7-0) have won 10 games in a row, including Tuesday’s overtime win at Lancaster.

“I was proud of our kids because we were down one with seven seconds to go and they had the ball. We could have given up but we didn’t,” Huff said.

Huff said he’s encouraged because, unlike last season, this year’s squad seems to be improving.

“Last year we didn’t get better after the Upward (Christmas tournament). This year we are getting better.”

However, to reach the team’s ultimate goal of winning a state championship, Huff said the team must find its offensive stride. “Our field goal percentage needs to get better and, of course, our offensive execution