The Country Basketball League's North East Conference semi-final is the cross-border rivals’ third clash of the season.

A win would provide the Wolves with redemption — they have stumbled at the final hurdle the past two seasons.

And the Cougars are chasing their first win against the Wolves after coming agonisingly close when they last met.

Both squads had an indifferent finish to the regular seasons, with Albury dropping its match against Castlemaine and the Wolves losing their past two.

The battle between the Cougars’ league-leading scorer Darcy Harding and Wodonga’s Josh McKay will be a highlight at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.

McKay has been the backbone of the Wolves’ offence, ably supported by Jon Lindhe.

Harding has been near unstoppable, using his size and athleticism to get to the rim with ease, while Jack Duck, Sawyer Dearborn and Jacob Cincurak have all delivered.

Cougars youngster Cincurak said his team was up to the challenge.

“We’re a well coached team with some high-calibre players,” he said.

“If we produce, the results will fall our way.”

The Albury Lady Cougars take on the Gators in a must-win semi-final in Shepparton.

They have struggled recently and the Gators have won convincingly both times this season.