MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / January 18, 2000

EDGARD – With starting point guard Crystal Rome out with an injury, Riverside head coach Matt White has been looking for the other players to step up their games.

The Lady Rebels responded Friday night, getting a 61-39 victory at West St. John in District 9-2A play.Riverside improved to 11-10 overall and 4-1 in district play while the Lady Rams fell to 3-10 overall and 2-3 in district.

Jennifer Guidry moved over to fill Rome’s spot at the point and led the way with 20 points. Heather Montz came through with 13 points whileJessica Watts contributed 11.

West St. John was led by Janelle Morris with 20 points. Ireon Bethancourtchipped in with 14 points.

Riverside opened the contest with an 11-2 run. Montz grabbed a steal andfound Watts driving down the lane to give the Lady Rebels a 6-0 lead with 5:11 left in the first quarter. After a West St. John timeout, WendyReames hit a jumper from the left wing to build the lead to nine. Morrisgot the Lady Rams on the scoreboard by taking a pass from Ciara Borne inside but Montz responded with two free throws to make it 11-2.

Bethancourt banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start an 8-2 run by the Lady Rams. A jumper from the left side by Bethancourt helpedbring West St. John to within 13-10 at the end of the first quarter.Amy Hymel converted a three-point play after taking a pass from Watts inside to make it 23-14 with five minutes left in the half. Bethancourt hita jumper from the left wing to bring West St. John within seven in thefinal two minutes. But Riverside came back with four free throws byGuidry sandwiched around a drive by Watts to build a 31-18 halftime lead.

Two free throws by Montz, a put back by Guidry and a jumper by Watts built the lead to 39-20 in the third quarter. Morris keyed a West St. Johnrally, scoring six unanswered points to bring the Rams to within 13 with a minute left. Reames followed by finding Guidry inside, giving Riverside a41-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

West St. John pulled to with 47-33 with 3:29 left as Bethancourtconverted a three-point play after driving in. Riverside again answered,going on a 9-0 run over the next two minutes. Guidry drove in and droppeda pass to Hymel underneath for the first field goal during the run. Wattsfollowed by grabbing a long rebound and tapping a pass ahead to Reames.

After a West St. John timeout and turnover, Guidry drove inside to make it56-33 with 1:30 left. West St. John scored on two free throws byBethancourt and a put back by Morris but Jamie Johnson hit three free throws in the final seconds for the final points.

“We settled down after being a little nervous at first,” White said. “Theytried to press and we were able to break it. They got back in the game butwe kept our composure and played smart at the end. We got good looks atthe goal and were able to hit them. We played well tonight.”Riverside hosts district leader Ridgewood Friday night while West St. John travels to Buras.

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