Block and Sicily Island high schools have played twice this season and were scheduled for a third matchup Feb. 21. After the two teams were firmly entrenched in the LHSAA Class 1A playoffs, the game was canceled.

It turns out, however, Block and Sicily Island will face off one last time for the year, but perhaps with a little more at stake this go round.

Top-ranked Sicily Island is set to travel to No. 17 Block at 7 p.m. tonight for an LHSAA Class 1A second-round playoff matchup.

The Tigers beat the Bears in November 69-52, then again in late December, 75-65.

“I think it helps that we’re familiar with them, but they’re also familiar with us,” Sicily Island coach Curtis Shavers said.

Sicily Island enters tonight’s showdown after rolling to a 70-24 win over Oberlin, while Block topped No. 16 Oak Grove on the road, 67-56.

Despite dropping two this season to Sicily Island, Block coach Sue’Ann Easterling said she thinks her squad perhaps may have an added advantage tonight.  The Bears will have seniors Jacob Duncan and Terris Evans available together for the first time this season against the Tigers.

“We hope we will have a good chance against them with a full team,” Easterling said. “It’s going to be hard, but I have every belief that my boys can get it done.”

Easterling added she hopes being at home will also play advantage.

“That’s going to help us,” she said.

Shavers said he is more than aware of the offensive explosiveness Duncan and Evans can potentially provide.

“Both of those kids are outstanding,” he said. “We’re going to have to be on our best defensive effort and limit them to below their season averages.”

Shavers, a Block High alumnus and Jonesville resident, said being parish rivals adds incentive.

“It’s going to be a hostile environment,” he said. “A lot of the kids know each other. I already have a lot of family and friends telling me they’re going to be pulling against me because they went to Block.”