MONTEREY, La. &045; In a case like this, Monterey’s Lady Wolves don’t know any better and may be better for it.

For their first venture into the postseason in six years, they’ll travel to Florien &045; one of the more established girls’ programs in Class B. But don’t tell that to the Lady Wolves, who are excited about still playing basketball in a situation where anything is possible and all you need is an opportunity.

Tip-off is at 6 p.m. in Florien.

&uot;They’re pleased that they made the playoffs,&uot; Monterey head coach Cary Shively said. &uot;They had a good year. They’re excited, and they’re ready to go play. I think we’ll go and see what happens.&uot;

The Lady Wolves like the way the season has gone as they finished the season in second place in District 3-B and are in the postseason for the first time since the 1997-98 team advanced to the third round of the playoffs.

Here it’s been a solid team effort with Brittany Woodruff and Morgan White leading in scoring in recent games but production from everyone on both ends of the floor.

&uot;In the district I think we picked it up a notch,&uot; Shively said. &uot;We played some pretty good defense and executed well on both ends of the floor. We just picked it up a notch and did what we needed to do. We’ve played some really good basketball since Christmas.

&uot;Everybody has kind of stepped it up a little bit. On any given night, any player can step up and score.&uot;

The task at hand tonight, however, is the district champs from District 4 and one of the more established programs in Class B. The Lady Black Cats are looking for their first Sweet 16 appearance since losing to Anacoco in the 2000 state championship.

Florien, under longtime head coach Dwayne Strother, lost in the finals in 1996 after winning five state titles from 1989 to 1994 and losing the finals in 1990.

&uot;They’re in the playoffs year-in and year-out,&uot; Shively said. &uot;They’ve got a good program. We’ll have to go over there and play well. From what I’ve gathered, I think we’ll match up with them OK.&uot;

Ferriday at Rayville

FERRIDAY, La. &045; The Lady Trojans are in the playoffs again under head coach Lisa Abron, and at least this time it doesn’t require a trip to the other side of the state to play one of the top teams in the state.

Instead, the Lady Trojans will play at Rayville at 7 p.m. today and face a club that was part of its district just two years ago.

&uot;I think it’s going to be a pretty good game,&uot; Abron said. &uot;I think we can match up pretty well. We’ve played in that gym before. We’re getting prepared for them. I think defense in the key. If we can come out ready, set the tempo, play good defense, box out and get them in foul trouble early, I think we have a good shot at winning.&uot;

Yet win or lose, it’s a learning experience for a Lady Trojan squad that had no seniors this season and finished third in the district. Point guard Jameca Garrison serves as the spark plug for a squad that’s had its growing pains in the post with youth at both positions.

The Lady Hornets don’t have much more size than Ferriday, and that’s why the Lady Trojans like the first-round draw.

&uot;All we’ve got to do is box out,&uot; Abron said. &uot;I think we’re a little quicker than they are. The last couple of games we’ve played we’ve had some people really step up. Jameca is doing a good job of leading us. It’s like I told them in practice, we don’t really have anything to lose. Win or lose, I want them to go out there and play their best.&uot;