By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian was undefeated at home this season, which one wouldn’t think would matter at the Boys’ Top 28 tournament in Lafayette.

But the Eagles seem to play there so much, that some of that homecourt mojo may well carry over.

Everything Reserve has done this season has built up to today. The No. 2 seeded Eagles are attempting to soar to their third straight Class C state championship game, and to do that they will have to defeat No. 3 seeded Pleasant Hill at the Cajundome in a semifinal game.

Tip off is at noon today.

In a battle of the Eagles – Pleasant Hill (35-3) and Reserve (37-9) share the same mascot – it will be a showdown of two teams that advanced past the quarterfinal round in dominating fashion.

Reserve knocked off No. 23 seeded Dubach, 81-50, while Pleasant Hill defeated No. 11 Calvin, 100-75.

Pleasant Hill has won 13 straight games entering the contest.

But unlike Reserve, it did not face much competition over the Class B level.

That doesn’t mean that Reserve Coach Timmy Byrd is taking them lightly at all, though.

“They’ve got a good tradition there. Up there, they play basketball 12 months out of the year. It should be fun.”

Pleasant Hill is led by 5’10 senior guard Tyler Johnson, who was named All-State as a junior. His matchup with the Eagles’ Eddren McCain will be one to watch.

One advantage that Reserve should have comes inside, where front line players Matt Cali and Lucas Martin can exploit a Pleasant Hill frontcourt that lacks anybody over 6’2.

As Reserve attempts to win its third straight state championship, its players know exactly what’s at stake.

“Our kids are looking forward to it,” said Byrd. “The Accomplishments of the previous teams has raised the bar. These kids know the routine, they’ve been there, and it’s a matter of going and taking care of business.”

Byrd noted Pleasant Hill’s depth – it generally runs a 10 player rotation, and wants to push the ball and press the issue on defense. Like Reserve, Pleasant Hill routinely scores between 80 and 100 points per game.

And running and gunning is what Reserve does best.

“Their style of play tends to play into our strength,” said Byrd. “They want to get up and down the court, and so do we.

“I feel like the team that plays the best defense will win this game.”

The winner of this game will advance to play in the championship game at noon on Saturday.