Albany's J.J. Jackson (30) is averaging 34.5 points per game in the playoffs heading into the Hornets’ toughest test to date — a road date with third-seeded Richwood with a berth in the Class 3A semifinals in the Top 28 Tournament in Lafayette next week at stake.

St. Thomas Aquinas's defending Class 2A champs look to get back to Lafayette, Albany gets another shot at an LSU prospect, and Maurepas hosts a perennial Class B power tonight as the quarterfinal round of the boy's playoffs begin across the state.

Top-seeded STA (34-1), fresh off a 77-59 win against St. James, hits the road for the first time this postseason as it faces No. 8 Oakdale. No. 22 Albany ventures to Monroe to meet Richwood (25-12), and No. 2 Zwolle (40-8) pays a visit to No. 10 Maurepas (30-8). All three games are set to tip at 7 p.m.

“The ultimate goal once you get into the playoffs is to make it to Lafayette, and we're still alive and we still have a chance for that,” Albany head coach Frank Schiro said. “Hopefully things will work out for us and we'll have a chance at that goal. "

Albany's road to the Top 28 takes its most dangerous detour as the Hornets face third-seeded Richwood and LSU-signee Storm Warren. The matchup with a high-profiled player is nothing new to Schiro and the Hornets, who have faced Amite's Brandon Mitchell, an LSU verbal commitment for 2009, twice this season.

“I don't think we will be intimidated by the fact that he is an LSU signee just because we have played against people like Brandon Mitchell and other highly recruited guys,” Schiro said.

For St. Thomas Aquinas, the short schedule between Wednesday's win and tonight's game could be a blessing in disguise. Head coach Errol Gauff said the short break should prevent his players from getting restless and anxious about their quarterfinal matchup.

“The positive is that the kids won't have to sit around and wait for the game,” Gauff said. “I think the anxiousness will not be there and they won't have to worry about the wait being as long. At this point of the year teams don't want to over-practice, but they do want their players well prepared.”

In Class B, the Wolves look to overcome last season's loss in the quarterfinals as they battle District 4 champ Zwolle. Head coach Evan Balfantz said having the game at home this year should help with that goal, considering the Wolves have dropped just one home game all year.

“Having it at home will be a definite advantage for us,” Balfantz said. “It should be a packed house.”

CLASS 2A

St. Thomas Aq. (34-1) at Oakdale (23-5)

OAKDALE-The Falcons won't have to contend with any Division-I prospects, but will have to deal with a sizeable Oakdale interior that brings good height and athleticism.

“They have good size in the post,” Gauff said. “We have to definitely limit their touches from 10-feet and in.”

But like he said before the two prior playoff games, Gauff is of the belief that the major factor in tonight's game will be how STA plays, and not necessarily what they do to stop Oakdale.

“To an extent, if we do what we are supposed to do, that's the primary focus,” Gauff said. “I think that's almost the case for every team. If you do what you are supposed to do, it should offset to an extent what the other team does.”

Experience also resides with the Falcons as they are making their second consecutive trip to the quarterfinals. St. Thomas Aquinas also needed to go on the road last year in an 82-59 victory against Curtis in the quarters.

“This is a totally different team and it's not so much growing off of last year's experiences as much as it is the ones we've encountered this year,” Gauff said.

Tonight's winner will face either No. 4 Many or No. 5 Ville Platte in the semifinals.

CLASS 3A

Albany (22-15) at Richwood (25-12)

MONROE-Schiro expects the undersized Hornets to get a heavy dose of Warren (6-8, 220 pounds) and the rest of the Rams' interior post players. But they faced similar circumstances against Marksville and McMain in the opening two rounds, both of which resulted in Hornets victories.

“We got our hands full, but it's not going to be anything new for us,” Schiro said.

The best defense against Warren's interior scoring could be the outside stroke of Albany's J.J. Jackson. The Hornets' leading scorer is averaging 34.5 points a game in the playoffs, including 39 in the opening round win against Marksville. Schiro said getting him involved early will be a key for Albany's success.

“I always want him to knock down the first shot or two,” Schiro said. “With the way he has been playing, it's important for us to get him going early. But if he can't, then I have some other kids that I know can step up and will have to step up if we are going to win.”

Albany's Terry Jackson and Edvante Showers have been perfect complements to J.J. in the postseason. Terry is averaging 18 points an outing and Showers is pouring in 14.

Tonight's winner will face either No. 7 Madison or No. 2 Port Allen in the semifinals.

CLASS B

Zwolle (40-8) at Maurepas (30-8)

MAUREPAS-Zwolle, the two-time defending Class B champs, is one of the most athletic groups Maurepas will have faced this season and Balfantz said slowing down their transition offense will be key.

“If we can take away their transition offense and make them run some halfcourt offense we'll have a shot,” Balfantz said.

The Wolves were able to do that Tuesday in a 74-58 win against an equally-athletic Epps squad. Balfantz said another high-energy effort will be needed for similar results.

“We know we have to play together and play four quarters,” Balfantz said. “We have to play near perfect basketball.”

Tonight's winner will meet either No. 3 Runnels or No. 6 Episcopal Acadiana in the semifinal round.