Ferriday (22-12) was looking for its first appearance in the Top 28 Tournament since the 2000-2001 season. Instead, the Trojans, the runners-up in District 4-2A, will have to wait another season.

The Tigers, meanwhile will play in the Top 28 Tournament, which starts next Monday at the Cajundome in Lafayette.

&8220;I guess it wasn&8217;t our night tonight,&8221; Trojans head coach James Davis said. &8220;It was disappointing. Like I told them, if we do the little things right, we can win a lot of games. We didn&8217;t do that tonight. But I&8217;m very proud of them.&8221;

Donaldsonville (18-9) played good defense in the first quarter and held a 10-7 lead. But Ferriday fought back in the second quarter as the Trojans, led by Eric Crump and Laderrick Metcalf, outscored the Tigers 12-6 to take a 19-16 halftime lead.

Crump and Metcalf each had a game-high 18 points to lead Ferriday, but only two other players got in the scoring column.

The third quarter, however, proved to be the turning point of the ball game &8212; at least that&8217;s how coach Davis felt.