By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

There were eight teams from the River Parishes in this year’s basketball post-season as of Thursday night, and Hahnville is the only school that could lay claim to two of them.

Unfortunately for Hahnville fans, the Lady Tigers ended that run Thursday night with a loss to Ponchatoula in the quarterfinals round of play where the HHS squad suffered a tough third period that ended their hopes of an appearance in the girls state tournament for the first time in 20 years.

Danielle Douglas led Hahnville in the effort with 12 points, while Chey Hill added 11, as the Lady Tigers were unable to pull off their second rally through two playoff rounds. On Monday, the Lady Tigers came back from a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 71-67 over New Iberia.

The HHS boys team has also earned a home game in the bi-district round, drawing an Airline squad that finished third in a competetive district 1-5A. The Tigers meanwhile, have gone 17-10 this season overall, with a 4-4 district record in 5-5A. As the fourth seed, after they lost the third place tiebreaker to John Ehret this week, Hahnville will face district 1-5A champion West Monroe.

Also seeing teams from north Louisiana are Destrehan and East St. John, who were the co-district champions in 5-5A, with Destrehan drawing the highest seed after knocking off ESJ for the second time in four days last Monday in a tie-breaker. That puts DHS in position for a home game against Airline. East St. John, meanwhile, hosts Ruston.

Reserve Christian and St. James both earned home games as district champions, against Assembly Christian and Pope John Paul respectively, and Lutcher drew a home contest against West Feliciana. St. Charles has to travel for their bi-district game, as the Comets go to Rapides in Lecompte, Louisiana.

The boys top 28 tournament is set to open play March 8 in the Lafayette CajunDome.