The No. 4 Sulphur Golden Tors will see a familiar face on the other side of the court today when they host the No. 13 LaGrange Gators in the regional round of the Class 5A playoffs. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Today's game marks the third time the teams have played each other this season with the Tors holding a 2-0 advantage over the Gators. Sulphur defended their home court on January 26th with a 54-50 win and beat LaGrange 52-31 on the road on February 12th.
Sulphur head coach Clint LeBato said that his team has to be ready for the unexpected with today's game having everything on the line.
"We have to be ready for anything," said LeBato. "They might play a little more full court because basically they played us half court and I've seen them play full court against other teams.
"We have to be sure to be ready for that and handle the pressure they might put on us."
The Tors will have to contend with a different type of team than what they faced in the first round of the playoffs in South Lafourche. The Tarpons were a slow, ball control offense, but the Gators bring to the table a roster capable of running the floor with an up-tempo offense. Nevertheless, Sulphur will have to be patient on the defensive end.
"We just have to be patient like we were Friday night," LeBato said. "We played very smart and we are just going to have to keep playing smart to advance."
With so much familiarity between the two squads, the Tors' head coach said that the game is going to come down to execution.
"We have to make sure we execute," said LeBato. "They know us so well and we know them so well. Whoever executes the best will probably come out on top.
"A bunch of guys are going to have to make some plays like on loose balls, offensive rebounds, and hustle plays. That's the type of game that I'm looking for."
After a packed house on Friday, the Sulphur players and coaching staff would like to see the same turnout today. With a Tors' win, they will have to hit the road to take on the winner of the Hammond/Southwood regional game.
"We definitely need the crowd on our side to take advantage of this home game," stated LeBato. "Regardless of who wins the other game, if we can pull it off we will have to hit the road. This will be our last home game and hopefully we can get some people here tonight and help us win."
Notes: Admission to tonight's game will be $6 and if you leave the gym, you must pay to re-enter.
