Mr. Football and Alabama football signee Kristian Story could win a fourth state basketball championship next week in Birmingham.

But he might have to beat fellow Alabama football signee Jah-Marien Latham and his Pickens County Tornadoes to do it.

The AHSAA state basketball tournament tips off Monday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena with Class 1A teams playing first, and that puts Story and Latham in the spotlight. Lanett (20-11) plays Jacksonville Christian (24-6) in one 1A boys semifinal Monday at 10:30 a.m., and Pickens County (24-3) plays Francis Marion (25-7) in the other semifinal at 1:30 p.m.

If Story and Latham win Monday, they advance to play each other in Thursday’s 1A championship game, set to tip off at 5:45 p.m. Tickets can be bought at the door.

RELATED: See complete state tourney schedule

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Who survived? See Alabama HS basketball state championship schedule https://t.co/rz1VCoHVx0 pic.twitter.com/AO2bT2moJK — AL.com H.S. Sports (@aldotcomPreps) February 21, 2020

For Story, he’s trying to help Lanett win a fourth basketball state title in the last five years. The Panthers won three straight 2A championships from 2016-18, with Story playing on all of those teams. Pickens County is trying to win its first state basketball title since winning three in a row from 2010-12.

Story and Latham play pivotal roles for their teams.

At last week’s Southeast Regional in Montgomery, Story had 11 points and three assists in a 82-52 victory over Cornerstone and added 13 points and seven assists in an 87-50 victory over Florala.

Latham was named Northwest Regional MVP last week in Hanceville after tallying 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 74-68 victory over Covenant Christian before adding 14 points and eight rebounds in a 50-47 victory over defending 1A champ Decatur Heritage.

If Lanett and Pickens County meet in the final, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Latham will likely play a key role in the outcome. He’s the tallest player on Pickens County’s roster and will likely battle inside against 6-foot-8 Zameron Boozer and 6-foot-9 Cameron Boozer, Lanett’s twin towers.

Story set AHSAA career records for total offense and touchdowns accounted for and quarterbacked Lanett to a state title last fall. National recruiting services listed him as an athlete, and he could play quarterback, defensive back or receiver at Alabama.

Latham is projected as a defensive lineman at Alabama, but one opposing coach last fall said he believes Latham will excel as offensive linemen in college.

Class 1A Lineman of the Year Jah-Marien Latham of Pickens County receives his plaque during the ASWA Mr. Football Banquet at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory