ERATH - The Erath Lady Bobcats are heading back to the girls’ basketball playoffs after a 13-year drought.

That is the good news. The bad news is that in the first round they get to play the Class 3A second place team from a year ago - the Avoyelles Lady Mustangs.

Game time is at 6 p.m. on the road. Tickets are $8 at the gate.

The Lady Mustangs lost to St. James by 11 points in the state championship game a year. They lost their top two scorers from a year ago, but managed to find three more players who have made them better.

The Lady Mustangs, seeded No. 5., sport a 24-3 record and won 17 out of their last 18 games.

Over the last eight games, they are averaging 60 points a game and have reached the 70-point mark its final two games.

The Lady Mustangs, under first year head coach Ritchie Johnson, are led by three players and not one is over five-feet seven inches tall.

The top scorer is Markeshia Johnson, who is a 5-6 senior guard, who is scoring 22 points a night. She is also knocking in four 3-pointers a game.

Along side of Johnson is point guard Courtney McGhee, who is a 5-4 junior point guard, scoring 16 a game and knocking in two 3-pointers a night.

Newcomer to the Lady Mustangs is transfer player Ja’ ayne Jacobs, who is 5-6 and enjoys hanging out under the goal and putting back buckets. She is scoring 10 a night.

The Lady Mustangs are not afraid to run, gun and press. The Lady Bobcats are expected to be full-court pressed for four quarters by the Lady Mustangs. Because of the press, Avoyelles takes advantage of turnovers and converts them to points.

Look for the Lady Bobcats to press also.

Leading Erath to the playoffs are seniors Alaina Harrington and forward Meagan Norris. Harrington averages six points a night, while Norris scores 10.

Alexis Harrington, a sophomore, is Erath’s post player, and scores six a night.

Point guard Ashley Dubois (six points per game) and forward Caitlin Domingues (11 points per game) make up the rest of the starters.

Coming off the bench will be Alexa Faulk (3 points a game), Sydney Richardelle, (2 points per game) and Blair Falgout (2 points per game).