By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Robert Sanders doesn’t have to be reminded what’s at stake for his team Friday.

The Vidalia High School coach is fully aware.

Sanders and his Viking basketball squad will travel to E.D. White School in Thibodaux, La., for the opening round of the LHSAA Class 3A boys basketball tournament.

“This is something we’ve been working toward all year,” Sanders said. “From the start of the first district game, we’ve had our minds set on making the playoffs.”

Sanders said his squad will lean on past experiences, having dropped a 67-60 opening round playoff loss at the hands of Albany High School a season ago.

“We have gave it a good go, but came up short,” Sanders said of last year’s game. “We had our chances, and we’ll face another formidable opponent this year in E.D. White. They are always well-coached and disciplined and are going to present a big challenge.”

Vidalia enters the playoff with a 16-12 while E.D. White boasts a 21-4 mark. Sanders said the Cardinals will not only prove to be a difficult challenge due to their talent on the floor, but also a test since the two squads are unfamiliar with each other.

“We’ll try to go talk to other coaches they’ve played,” Sanders explained. “And it’s a big challenge in basketball (to scout teams). It’s not like in football where you can just exchange film or HUDL film, but hopefully one day we’ll get to that point.”

Sanders did say he is aware the Cardinals like to be deliberate with the basketball and force a half-court game, while the Vikings will rely more on a fast-tempo style of play.

“They generally take two to three minutes off the clock every possession,” he said. “We’re going to try and speed them up. We have to be patient in our half-court defense and not get anxious. Hopefully we can speed them up in the full court.”

Winners in eight of their last nine games, Sanders said his squad is playing perhaps its best basketball of the date and remains confident his squad can overcome any challenge thrown its way.

“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” Sanders said. “There’s always going to be room for improvement, but if we play to our abilities, then I think we’ll be fine.”

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.