By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

Once again, it comes down to St. Charles and John Curtis.

Comet basketball is set to take on the Patriots this week for a spot in the Class 2A quarter-finals game Friday after topping them twice in district play already this year. SCC made it to the regionals round game with a win last Friday night in an away match at Rapides for their bi-district round game where they took a 65-53 victory thanks to a quick start and steady contributions on both sides of the court. Curtis topped South Plaquemines 53-50 to advance.

This time around against Curtis though, will be for their playoff lives as the two teams eye a berth in the Top 28 tournament with a victory against the winner of the Episcopal and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 2A bracket match-up. The game, set for Tuesday night, was unavailable for this issue because of publication deadlines.

&#8220We got [Curtis] both times in district this year,” said St. Charles coach Jeff Montz, &#8220but the playoffs are a whole different thing. They play with some big guys so we’ve got to shoot the ball well.”

And with a home court advantage, the Comet gym will be packed to the rafters for the last basketball meeting between these two schools before redistricting takes effect next Spring.

Against Rapides, the Comets got off to a quick start and took a 13-9 lead through the first quarter where Vincent Rollo hit a pair of three pointers to help SCC into the second period with an advantage.

The Mustangs tightened up and tied the game back up with steady defense in

the second and third quarters. But the Comets answered with a fourth quarter offensive onslaught that blew it open for the even score late.

Jonathan Bonura led all scorers with 18 points and Austin Martin got 17. Demarcus Bernard and Vincent Rollo scored ten and nine respectively.

The match-up against Curtis, which was scheduled for Tuesday night, is the third meeting between these two teams, but the first in more than a month and a half. The Comets won 52-48 on their home court for the first contest on Jan. 19, and by a score of 65-55 in the game at John Curtis on Feb. 6.