Morgan City High School faces an uphill battle in its Class 4A boys’ basketball bi-district playoff game.

MCHS, the 31st seed, travels to New Orleans to face second-seeded St. Augustine at 7 p.m. today

The Tigers (16-13, 4-4 District 8-4A) came from behind to beat Assumption, 49-45, in the season finale and sweated out a playoff berth.

St. Augustine (32-3, 10-0 District 10-4A) won the Class 5A state championship last season before being forced to drop to 4A at the beginning of this school year.

The Purple Knights lost their finale 83-77 to Riverside, the top-ranked team in Class 2A.

St. Augustine played minus starting guards Javan Felix and Roland Daniels, but sophomore center Craig Victor led the way with 26 points while Deion Taylor had 21 and Sydie London had 13.

The loss broke the Purple Knight’s 15-game win streak.

Felix, the state’s reigning Class 5A Outstanding Player, did not play due to a sprained ankle while Daniels was held out due to a knee bruise. Both players were held out as precautionary measures and are expected back for tonight’s playoff opener.

Felix is a University of Texas commitment.

St. Augustine also has beaten Class 4A’s top-ranked squad, the Peabody Warhorse, albeit in a preseason game.

In that matchup — in which St. Augustine led by as many as 14 point — the Purple Knights claimed a 57-54 win.

For Morgan City, juniors Jalen Johnson and Tyrin Watts handle the bulk of the scoring for Morgan City. Johnson is a slasher who can finish above the rim, while Watts is an outstanding outside shooter. He had several 30-point games earlier this season. Freshman Jaylen Jones also has been a capable scorer for the Tigers.

In its final regular season victory against Assumption, Johnson led the Tigers with 18 points, while Watts added 15 in the victory.

Morgan City High School coach Jeremy Whittington could not be reached for comment on tonight’s game.