Each day leading up to the state playoffs, I'll shed light on a Delaware County team's first-round opponent in this weekend's PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. Here's the third and final installment:

The Frankford Pioneers (22-5), not unlike those of the olden days (pictured), face a stiff test. The top seed out of District 12 and the runners-up in the Philadelphia Public League, the Pioneers will play the Ridley Green Raiders (23-6) today at 3 p.m. at South Philadelphia High.

The Pioneers...

• like to run. Known for their athleticism, they get up and down the court with ease, and do so all game long.
• go as Malik Tinsley goes. The senior forward drops about 23 points per game. If Tinsley plays well against Ridley, the Green Raiders don't stand a chance.
• look a lot like Communications Tech, the Pub champs, which bodes well for Ridley. That's because the Green Raiders held their own against Comm Tech this season, even scrimmaging against them this week.
• are balanced. Tinsley can have a so-so day by his standards, just so long as Khayree Brown and Steven Haynes (11-point scorers) step it up as they have this postseason.

For more on the Ridley-Frankford first-round meeting, check out Saturday's Daily Times for a feature story on the Green Raiders, who yearn to snap a winless drought in the state playoffs. Allow me to put it into perspective: Ridley's seniors were little 1-year-olds when the Raiders last won a state playoff game.