Ben Kerlegan takes a shot under challenge by a CCA player. 

A playoff berth is at the top of the bucket list for the Highland Baptist boys basketball team. The Bears haven’t reached the postseason in a few years, but they’re in position to make the bracket and plan to make some noise.

The Bears are No. 22 in the Division IV select power ratings. The top 24 teams will be selected when the brackets are released by the LHSAA on Feb. 19.

“We preached all season that we just wanted to get in,” HBCS coach Colby Batiste said before Tuesday’s home game against Covenant Christian. “I think we’re on the cusp of achieving that with a couple of games left. That would be a big accomplishment for these seniors.”

If the playoffs began today, the Bears (9-17, 3-6 District 7-1A) would travel to Houma to face Covenant Christian again. The Lions (18-8, 6-4) are No. 11 in the power ratings.

CCS defeated the Bears 64-32 in Jan. On Tuesday, HBCS finished strong in a 65-54 loss, outscoring the visitors in each of the final two quarters.

“I like our chances if we had to start today at No. 22,” Batiste said. “We’re a team that is consistently getting better. If we played a No. 11 seed and a No. 6 seed, I think it would give us an opportunity to shock a few people.”

Coincidentally, district foe Central Catholic is currently No. 6 in the power ratings.

“It’s a competitive league,” Batiste said. “Covenant Christian is having their best season in district. Vermilion Catholic (12-6, 7-2) is in the top 10.”

The Bears outscored the Lions 30-25 in the second half. Benjamin Kerlegan finished with 20 points, and Charlie Dartez added 17 for HBCS. Garret Barras (5 points), Jacob Willis (5), Austin Stafford (4) and Parker Perry (3) all scored.

Barras, a senior guard, returned in mid-Jan. from a broken jaw he suffered in the season-opener against J.S. Clark. He scored a season-high 16 points in a recent loss at an 19-5 Division II Iota team.

“Garret provides good leadership and scoring,” Batiste said. “He knows the game. We’re looking at him being able to do some great things down the stretch.”

Barras was an honorable-mention all-district selection as a junior. Dartez, who made the first team, is a senior along with Perry and Willis. Stafford is a junior, and Kerlegan is a freshman. Junior forward Quentin Martin provides the muscle down low.

“(Kerlegen) is really maturing, understanding the game of basketball and understanding the intensity level he has to play at,” Batiste said. “Quentin Martin is a great rebounder. He changes shots for us and manages the paint.”

The Bears have regular season games remaining against Jeanerette (8-13, 5-4), Centerville (7-18, 3-6) and Central Catholic (15-7, 9-0). In the first round of district, HBCS defeated Centerville and lost by four points to Jeanerette.

“This is the most cohesive and tough unit I’ve had here,” Batiste said. “I think they really want to accomplish something as a group. These guys get after it in practice. That’s the competitiveness you want as a coach.”

Lady Bears 39, Covenant Christian 32

The Lady Bears claimed a hard-fought 39-32 win over CCS to improve to 15-9 overall, 7-2 in district. M’Kiyiah Olivier scored 19 points for HBCS, which moved up from No. 8 to No. 7 in the power ratings.

Yvette Olivier added 14 points, and Mckynzie Dorsey had six points on senior night. Dorsey and M’Kiyiah Olivier, who was honored for scoring her 1,800th career point, are the team’s two seniors.

M’Kiyiah has scored the most points in school history. Yvette, a sophomore, scored her 1,000th point earlier this season.

“I’m very pleased with what (M’Kiyiah) has accomplished,” HBCS coach Carol Sensley said. “She and Yvette push themselves and push the others to get better. What’s most impressive is how they try to get others involved.”

The Lady Lions (17-9, 7-5), who are No. 14 in the power ratings, had one double-digit scorer in Caroline Galliano (15 points). CCS outscored the Lady Bears 11-6 in the third quarter to make it interesting.

“I told the girls this is a good basketball team,” Sensley said of the Lady Lions. “It was a very physical game, and we responded. We found a way to close it out. We made some key free throws. Defensively, I thought we played hard. We have to rebound a little better.”

HBCS has one regular season game remaining at Jeanerette (5-13, 4-6) on Feb. 9. The playoff brackets will be released on Monday, Feb. 12.