BEALE’S ORDEAL — Hammond’s Carderion Beale (20) and Ponchatoula’s Matt Derenbecker (15), here going head-to-head at the Tangipahoa Parish Tournament, are two key figures for their respective teams heading into tonight’s crucial District 7-5A clash at PHS tonight.

The 2007-08 edition of the Hammond-Ponchatoula hardwood wars has so far produced two close wins for the Tors. With a share of the District 7-5A lead on the line tonight, the Tors and Green Wave have more than rivalry game bragging rights hanging in the balance when Greenies host Hammond.

"A rivalry game with some meaning in the district race ... couldn't ask for anything more," Ponchatoula assistant coach John Derenbecker said. "The coaches felt the district was pretty evenly-matched this year. (A Ponchatoula win) would just set up a very, very tense second round. We're competing for three guaranteed playoff spots this year."

The Tors (15-7, 5-1) are still in first place, but their two-game lead shrunk following a home loss to Slidell. Hammond now holds just a one-game lead over Ponchatoula (16-11, 4-2), Mandeville (19-6, 4-2) and St. Paul's (16-7, 4-2).

Hammond defeated the Greenies by a total of four points in two previous meetings - an 82-79 victory at PHS to win the Gateway Ford Holiday Classic title and a 52-51 decision at Loranger in the semifinals of the Tangipahoa Parish Tournament.

"We know that the first game was a high-scoring affair and the scoring was down in the second, but Hammond was able to win both games in both styles," Derenbecker said. "So we know they're able to play well regardless of tempo.

"We have to be able to handle the pressure. We know Hammond gets a lot of scoring out of its pressure. We have to defend well and not give them any second-chance opportunities."

Hammond head coach Kilavorus Thompson said tonight's game will be a major test for his team, especially when the Tors are looking to bounce back from Friday night's 76-71 overtime loss to Slidell.

"Right now, we're still the No. 1 team in the district, and teams are going to be gunning for us," Thompson said. "Good teams bounce back from losses like we had. This game will tell us how far we've come as a team. We know we have to match their intensity. It'll be a big, big game for us."

Meanwhile, Class 2A No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (25-1, 6-0) opens the second round of 9-2A play at home against French Settlement. The Falcons overwhelmed the Lions in the first round of league play, winning 66-37.

"We start looking at everybody a second time, and they're looking at you," Falcons head coach Errol Gauff said. "Everybody's got to make adjustments. (We're) definitely where you want to be; I can't complain about that, and I'm proud of the effort they've given me."

In another 9-2A matchup, Springfield (11-12, 3-3) heads to Livingston to take on winless Doyle (0-14, 0-6). The Bulldogs are one game behind Pine (17-5, 5-2) in the loss column, and the rules are simple for head coach Mark Erdey's team in the stretch run of the season.

"We're 3-3," Erdey said, ticking off the Bulldogs' district losses to STA, French Settlement and Pine in overtime. "It's wide open right now. If we play well in the second round we'll go to the playoffs. If we play bad, we'll stay home."

In District 10-3A, Albany (14-11, 2-0) puts it share of first place on the line at the Purple Pit against Amite (10-8, 1-1). The Hornets remained tied with Bogalusa (16-7, 2-0) with a 54-45 win over Loranger while the Lumberjacks knocked off the Warriors 75-64.

"That's always a tough place to play, no matter who you are," Hornets head coach Frank Schiro said. "Especially with them coming off a loss, it will be even more difficult to go in there and get a win."

Other games include Kentwood at Hannan in 7-1A along with Believer's Life at Holden and Mt. Hermon at Maurepas in 9-B.