DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / March 8, 2000

ST JAMES – Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the quarterfinals they go. It looked likejust another day on the court as St. James High passed by Port Allen with asmile and a wave, ending the Class 3A regional playoff game, 97-73.

St. James (21-5) advances to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1997Friday night against Karr. Karr (20-13) defeated Landry, 47-44, Friday night.Port Allen finished its season at 19-11.

St. James coach Lionel Ezidore wasn’t too surprised at the score. “We’vebeen rolling like that for the last three or four week, scoring close to a 100 points,” Ezidore said.

They came onto the court strong. “We wanted to set the tone,” Ezidore said.The Wildcat starters, Corey Webster, Jereal Dillon, Claudell Parker, Steve Jones, and Joseph Christy did just that.

Leading on the board in the first minute and a half, the Wildcats took control of the ball, both offensively and defensively, and pulled ahead quickly.

Webster brought them over 10 points two minutes later as he made a fast break and slammed the ball through the hoop. The crowd-pleasing dunk wasnot the last, as the team continued to work over Port Allen, and take the ball hard to the net.

With two minutes left in the first quarter, Jones picked the ball out of Port Allen’s hands at mid-court and took it home. A minute later Brandon Williamsstole the ball back for Port Allen and scored two. Webster replied fiveseconds into the second quarter, stealing the ball and jumping for the basket. Fouled in the air, Webster missed the dunk, but put a point on theboard with the free-throw, making the score 25-10, St. James.From 5:25 on the clock to 2:20, St. James completely controlled the floor,scoring 13 points with five shots. The run broke the 20-point margin, whichstayed the average the rest of the game, and set the board at 40-14. By thehalf, Port Allen took back some control of the ball and was able to outscore St. James, 8-2, setting the score at 42-22.In the second half St. James seemed to settle down a little. In the beginning”they were putting the pressure on and we were trying to make them pay for it,” Ezidore said. After the half Ezidore told them to “spread the court out,don’t rush and take the shot we want.”The game drew out in the second half as more than 15 fouls were called, most on Port Allen. The Pelicans did what they could, but never were able toreally shake off their 20-point deficit.

By the third quarter the score was 64-38. St. James gave a few away butEzidore accounted the bad passing due to the team relaxing too much, something he is planning to working on before the next game.

Still Port Allen never did capitalize on any mistakes St. James made and theyleft the court 24 points in the hole.

Webster led all scorers with 37 points and hit five 3-pointers. HenryWashington followed with 15 points, Justin Aubert scored 11 points and Levar Joseph made 10. Steve Jones added 10 rebounds.For Port Allen, Williams led with 27, Lewis Grant followed closely with 23, Warren Gains made 9 and Brian Perkins scored 7.

Reserve Christian 95, Pleasant Hill (OT)

PLEASANT HILL – Reserve Christian rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat Pleasant Hill, 95-85, in overtime Friday night in the Class B regionals.

The Eagles (37-8) advance to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

Reserve Christian will host Holden, a 61-51 winner over Hosanna, Friday at 7 p.m. Pleasant Hill concluded its season at 25-15.Aaron Vogel scored 28 points for Reserve Christian. Addison Ellis added 26points while Eric McClain contributed 23.

West St. John 90,Ville Platte 77

VILLE PLATTE – West St. John advanced to the Class 2A quarterfinals forthe second straight season with a 90-77 victory at Ville Platte Friday night.

West St. John (22-6) hosts North Vermilion Friday at 7 p.m. North Vermiliondefeated Pine, 72-63, Friday.

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