By ROBERT L. LEE

DESTREHAN – After beating the Terrebonne Tigers by almost 60 points earlier this season, it was hard for the Destrehan LadyCats to spark any enthusiasm against them again Friday night. The lack of motivation explains the 8-2 first quarter score.

However, the LadyCats would not settle for a lackluster performance and controlled the court for an 18-4 drive before halftime and eventually the 50-30 win.

“It’s difficult to get motivated when the players know they beat Terrebonne that bad already,” said Destrehan coach Ulysses Frontha. Although he admitted complacency set in early, his team did make some good plays in the first quarter and played hard into the second quarter. To help get the team moving, Frontha said he moved a few of his players around, which also helped for missing players. The LadyCats instituting their press also helped trap the Tigers with the ball and force turnovers.

“We thrive on the defense getting the offense moving,” Frontha continued.

Through the close of the second quarter, defense moved with precision and the Tigers were lucky if they could move the ball within 3-point range without the LadyCats tearing it away for a drive inside.

At halftime, Frontha told his LadyCats they had the game under control with their 26-6 lead, as long as they went back out to take the third quarter with the same intensity as when they left from the second quarter.

“I told them if they don’t go out and play, any team can be dangerous,” Frontha continued. “After all, it ain’t over ’til it’s over.”

The game certainly wasn’t over for the LadyCats, as they dropped in an ample 15 points compared to the Tigers’ run of 10 points.

“We did a great job with the trap in the first half, but in the second we had the lead we needed so we didn’t press and switched to a straight zone defense,” explained Frontha. With a handle on the lead, Frontha shifted some of his younger players into the game for more playing time.

He said all of the players on the team got some playing, which is valuable for the junior varsity girls because some of their recent games were canceled. By the end of the fourth quarter, a total eight girls on the team had points behind their names, with Amber Eugene making 13, Megan Stock holding 10 and Jasmon Hawkins rounding out the top scorers with 9 points.

“The main thing now is that we keep our focus and make sure we only look at the next game,” added Frontha.

“We are currently second in the district and a lot of people have asked when is the next time we play East St. John. Our goal is to take first place, but we have to take it one game at a time.”

The LadyCats’ next bout with the Wildcats comes Feb. 8 at East St. John.