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CLEMSON -- Just moving a step closer toward "three-peating" as Class A boys' basketball title would be motivation enough for a championship team like Calhoun County.

Yet like most champions, the Saints seemingly find motivation from various places -- even after a victory. Such is the case today as Calhoun County (27-0) looks to earn a ninth trip to the state finals in today's Upper State final matchup with Dixie (17-4) at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Despite earning a 20-point victory over Great Falls Wednesday, which extended its state record consecutive game winning streak to 76, head coach Zam Fredrick was clearly perturbed by what he saw as his team's tentative team play. It's something Fredrick specifically addressed during the past two days of practice and hopes will motivate his team to play better in a facility where he once scored 35 points during the 1980-81 season at the University of South Carolina in which he led the nation in scoring.

"That was a rallying point because to me it was particularly disturbing to play in that matter and we've got to correct that," said Fredrick about the Saints' first-half effort against the Red Devils. "We need to be focused and on our game so that we can play a complete 32 minutes -- especially now."

This should prevent Calhoun County from completely looking past a Dixie team it routed 97-57 in the second round of last year's playoffs and who lost earlier this season to McCormick -- whom the Saints thumped 98-34 a week ago in St. Matthews. The Region 1-A champion Hornets have won 12 consecutive games and are led by All-State and region player of the year 5-11 swingman Yavario Smith, who had 18 points in the 52-42 win over Christ Church on Wednesday.

Yet even Dixie head coach Tracy Carter, who led the Hornets to their last state title in 1972 in Class 2-A and returned last year after 30 years as the school's principal, acknowledges his team faces a tall task trying to pull the upset. He believes the Saints are the top team in the state regardless of classification and it will take turning the game into a slow, halfcourt game to have a chance.

"We're going to have a difficult time," Carter said. "We had a difficult time with it last year and it will be tough again. Hopefully, with a year of maturity behind it, we'll be able to do better against it. They come after you all night and it's going to be a difficult task for us."

"At this point of the year, teams in the Upper State finals, you made it this far, you've got to give teams their respect," Fredrick said. "I don't think it will be any problem to be motivated because of the fact that with all of the incentives that we have to do well and to continue on, we don't have any business looking any further than ourselves in terms of getting motivated and understanding what we're trying to accomplish."

One of those incentives is becoming the seventh boys' basketball team in South Carolina High School League history to win three consecutive titles -- something Dixie accomplished from 1937-39 when it was known as Due West. The Saints are seeking their seventh state title since 1996, which would make Fredrick the first SCHSL head coach to accomplish such a feat.

"I haven't really started to think about that," he said. "My thing is I want that very much from this season for my team and I think they've worked hard enough to put themselves in this position, and I'm focused in on just completing the task and making sure they get what they deserve."

The Saints have gotten their usual all-around effort from S.C. Basketball Coaches Association Class A Player of the Year Alshon Jeffery. The junior forward has averaged 18 points in the three playoff wins while also helping with the ball-handling and rebounding duties. He's also a catalyst on the defensive end in forcing turnovers and his shot-blocking, as seen by the three swats against Great Falls.

Younger brother Shamier Jeffery has also provided an offensive punch, particularly from 3-point range where the Saints have thrived so far during the postseason. Meanwhile, the bench support has continued their stellar play with the likes of Jacobee Wolfe and Marquel Davenport producing in extended minutes.

"Marquel is an excellent shooter and you can always use a guy that knows how to make shots," Fredrick said. "Early on, (Davenport) just coming up to the varsity from last year's JV team, he struggled a little bit with his confidence and he had to find his way. The game at the varsity level is played at a totally different pace and it was just a matter of getting him acclimated to the intensity and pace of the game so that he can make a contribution and I think he's arrived."

Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. following the Class A Upper State girls final between Hunter-Kinard-Tyler and Christ Church.

Family reunion

Just like last year at the Bi-Lo Center, Saturday's Upper State final reunites St. Matthews' residents with another one of their coaching legends in Southside head coach Louie Golden.

The Claflin University graduate has the Tigers back in the Upper State finals for the second straight year after defeating Pendleton, coached by former South Carolina State two-sport standout Bobby McGowens.

"It's also good to see cousin Lou," Fredrick said. "I know I'll get to see him and that's a good thing. He's a Calhoun County native as well, and we usually have a very good time when we get together."

Southside will face Keenan at 5 p.m. today.

T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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