It’s Thursday night so turn on your television. It’s must see TV - high school basketball style. One of the country’s biggest guard rivalries takes to the hardwood tonight when Edgewater (FL) HS’s Darius Washington go head to head with Lincoln (NY) HS’s Sebastian Telfair. The game will be televised on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST.

Washington and Telfair have had their public on-court battles in the past. The guards went at it at the 2002 ABCD camp, starting their now famous rivalry. Last season, Edgewater defeated Lincoln by one point. Now in their third meeting and most watched match up, Washington and Telfair will battle it once again when they take to the Rose Hill Gym at Fordham University.

After the success of last year’s televised high school games featuring LeBron James and his St. Vincent-St. Mary team – as well as Mater Dei (CA) and Oak Hill (VA) – ESPN is hoping to have the same success this year with Washington and Telfair.

Some critics have knocked the idea of teenagers playing in front of cameras and the national television audience. But Edgewater head coach Travis Jones said the television wouldn’t really get to the players.

“I think it’s easier these days because the kids travel so much in the summer time,” Jones said. “The cameras will be there but these guys are so used to it, it’s no big deal.”

Outside of the marquee names, the pairing of Edgewater and Lincoln should give viewers something to stay tuned into. The fellas from Florida finished 34-2 last year and lost in the state championship. Lincoln, however, is coming off a state championship and their second consecutive city championship season after going 31-4 on the year.

Here is a quick look at the two teams:

Washington, the 6-foot-1 scoring guard who is committed to Memphis, averaged over 30 points last season. It is hard pressed to find a better pure scorer in the class of 2004. Jones said that his star player has a greater understanding of the team game this year.

“Darius tried to do too much on his own and didn’t realize he had so many talented players around him,” Jones said. “Right now, I think he’s finally comfortable with himself and he doesn’t have to score every on every possession. He felt like that’s the way we’ll win by taking 20, 30 shots a game last year. But he’s comfortable with the team and knows he can distribute the ball and let everybody else put the points up.”

Joining Washington in the backcourt is Brandon Johnson. Although public reports of Johnson signing in November with Georgia Southern, he is not even committed, says Jones.

“He’s not going to sign early,” Jones said. “He’s going to be seen this year. We’ll cover the whole east coast basically. Hopefully that will get him the looks he wants.”

Omar Qavi, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard, rounds out the backcourt. His addition gives opponents fits in their zone defense with Washington’s scoring knack and Johnson’s court vision.

6-foot-8 junior Quinton Thornton (one of the top juniors in the state) and 6-foot-6 Kenny Ingram (a top gridiron prospect) give Edgewater some formidable size inside.

Lincoln is, of course, led by Telfair. The nation’s most recognized prep player averaged 28 points and nine assists last season. His passing vision and knack for the big play has given head coach Dwayne "Tiny" Morton to smile over the last four years. Telfair also has that same marketability that is now paying off for his friend LeBron.

“Bassy” is joined by 6-foot-8 Antonio Pena, a talented junior and experienced post player. He’s one of the top players in the state of New York. This could be a coming out party as far as his national recognition goes. Pena has great inside/outside skills.

Like Ingram of Edgewater, 6-foot-3 Nyan Boateng is a big time football prospect but he is also the top sky-walker for the Railsplitters. He’s a solid scorer that loves to attack the rim. He’ll certainly get the crowd going and be a favorite target for Telfair.

Rounding out the bunch is 5-foot-11 guard Eugene Lawrence. He can play both guard spots and can lock down opponents with his defense.

In other news…before the televised Lincoln vs. Edgewater game, a great match-up between Rice HS (NY) and Kansas signee Russell Robinson and Amityville HS (NY) and future UConn guard AJ Price.