by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Better late than never.

While Reserve Christian enters this week’s Boys Top 28 Basketball Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the Class C playoffs, it wasn’t so last year, even after three consecutive Eagle championship wins.

That top seed instead went to Atlanta, which entered the postseason with an undefeated mark. But a meeting between the two teams was derailed in the state semifinals, as Athens upset Atlanta and went on to fall to Reserve in the finals.

It had to wait a year, but that matchup is finally set for the Top 28. On Thursday at 5 p.m., Reserve (42-7) will tip-off against No. 4 seeded Atlanta (30-7) in the Class C semifinals at the Cajundome in Lafayette.

After being pushed against Sicily Island in the quarterfinals, Reserve coach Timmy Byrd expects another stern test on Thursday night.

“Most of their guys are back this season,” said Byrd. “That team played West Monroe very close. They pushed it to double figures at the end, but Atlanta competed with them. And West Monroe’s at the 5A semifinals, and played us really tough. If they can play with those guys, they’re pretty good.”

Atlanta’s won 10 of its last 11 games, tripped up only by Calvin in that stretch – a loss Atlanta avenged in the quarterfinals by taking a 70-69 victory. It also recorded lopsided wins over Bethel Christian and Saline.

Reserve topped winless Monticello in the first round and Starks in the second – the combined margin of victory in the two games was 146.

6’2 center Demontrez Sapp (18 points per game) and forward Aaron Smith (17) lead Atlanta.

River Parish basketball fans making the trip to Lafayette don’t have to see their fun end after that game, however.

Hahnville makes its first trip back to the Cajundome in four years, where the No. 12 seeded Tigers have a daunting task ahead of them – to win their Class 5A semifinal game, they must tag No. 1 seed Huntington with only its second loss of the season.

The Raiders (34-1) have lost only to Bossier this season, and have won each of its playoff games by 12 points or more. It qualified for the semifinals with a 70-58 win over Mandeville.

Hahnville (29-7) is the last team standing from District 6-5A, after the Tigers outlasted district foe East Ascension on Friday night, 63-46.

Huntington is led by 6-6 center Kendrick Washington and guard Shamir Davis. The Raiders are one of the biggest teams Hahnville will have faced this year – Washington is one of four players who are 6-6 or taller.

A deep, balanced Hahnville team is led by guard Desmond Raymond, who scored 12 in the quarterfinals.