While many Louisianans danced and partied in celebration of Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, the Ferriday High School boys basketball did some celebrating of their own.

Third-ranked Ferriday rallied for a 19-point fourth quarter to top No. 14 Red River 67-60 in LHSAA Class 2A action Tuesday night.

The win sends the Trojans (22-6) to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

This one didn’t come easy for Ferriday as it received all it could handle from Red River. Ferriday trailed at the end of the first 17-15 and again at halftime 38-35.

“That one was closer than I wanted it to be,” Ferriday coach K.G. Watkins said. “I knew they were quick and had speed and would play their press. They stayed in the game off turnovers. We have to handle the ball a little bit better than that going into the third round. The competition is getting better, and we can’t make those kind of mistakes and expect to go to Lake Charles.”

The Bulldogs led for most of the first three quarters, but the Trojans’ all-around effort proved to be too much.

FHS managed to tie the game heading to the final period, 48-48.

Four Trojan players reached double figures, led by Marquell Griffin’s 18 points, while Dantrieze Scott had 14, Carlos Collins 13 and Ronald Williams 10.

“We came out real strong in the second half,” Scott said. “The whole team had something to do with this win, not just (the starting five). All of us came together as one unit to get the win. Everybody executed what they had to do.”

Scott had a dominant all-around effort grabbing 11 rebounds, picking up five steals, blocking four shots and handing out five assists.

“He also played a little tentative, too, because he’s afraid of fouling out,” Watkins said.

Jer’Lyric Brooks had just five points, but connected on a 3-pointer early on in the fourth quarter that gave the Trojans a five-point lead. Ferriday drained seven 3-point shots to Red River’s three.

Ferriday’s Zavier Davis failed to register a single point, but made his presence felt shadowing Bulldog wing player Joseph Smith. Smith finished with a team-high 12 points, but was shutout once Watkins deployed Davis on the sharp shooter midway through the second quarter.

“That kid had started making a move on us, and we needed somebody to take him away,” Watkins said. “(Zavier) came in and completely shut him down. He did a great job, and I am so proud of him.”

Ferriday will play host to No. 6 North Caddo Friday, which defeated No. 22 Pickering 68-53.

“We just found a way to win,” Watkins said. “(Red River) is a good team, and we found a way.”