AUGUSTA - There won't be much need for introductions Saturday night.

When Monmouth Academy and Madison meet for the girls' Western C championship at 7:05 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center, it will be a reunion of old friends and foes.

The two top-ranked teams have already played three times this season. Madison won two, including the Mountain Valley Conference championship game. The Mustangs have been in every contest and have already proven they can take away the Bulldogs' bite.

"We can pull it off," said Monmouth guard Jill Armstrong. "Even if we lose to them, they're great off the court. We have a really good friendship going. It will be great either way."

Top-seeded Madison was expected to reach this game. With eight seniors, a deep and balanced team and a hunger to return to past Bulldog glory, Madison (19-1) was the favorite before the season started. Second-ranked Monmouth (19-2) was a potential contender and made great strides to reach this stage, accomplishing what no other has done this year, beat Madison.

"All of us are so happy for these kids," said Monmouth coach Rick Amero. "These are kids we've known since they were in third grade. They've played up through, and they saw some of the kids do this in Class D. The community has really been involved with these kids and travel teams. This is something these girls have dreamed of since they were little girls."

This is Monmouth's first championship game since winning the D title in 2000. Madison hasn't been here since back-to-back losses to Dirigo in 1995 and 1996. The Bulldogs won the regional title in 1994.

"Madison is the team to beat, no doubt about that," said Amero. "We're just happy to get a chance to play them again."

Madison won the first game 44-33. Monmouth led at halftime, but was held to 12 points in the second half. The Mustangs ended Madison's perfect season in the regular-season finale, 50-38. Jenn Lola spoiled the Bulldogs' senior night with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Then, Madison eked out a two-point win days later when Margo Russell scored in the final seconds in the MVC championship game.

Russell (17.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg) is the main threat in the post, but Madison also has Briann Emery (10.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and the shooting of Danielle Hebert (7.9 ppg) and Lacey Ashbrook (8.3 ppg). Monmouth's inside game of Alyssa Morin (8.5 ppg) and Moe Beaulieu (6.8 ppg) proved too much for Waynflete. Bethany Neal has come off the bench to bolster the post as well. Guards Katie Woodman (6 ppg), Jill Armstrong (4.6 ppg) and Lola (18 ppg) have executed nicely together and complete a tough defensive unit.

"This is big for us," said Morin. "We're looking forward to it. We're just glad to be practicing. Our coach always tells us that we're lucky to be practicing, and we are. I can't wait."