By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

RESERVE – Things got off to a good start in Summer League play for the East St. John Lady Cats. Behind Kimijuan Anderson’s 15 points, East St. John knocked off St. James 53-27. Ariel Mitchell and Erica Henry each had eight points for St. James.

With the score tied 4-4 in the first half, East St. John went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to grab a 12-4 lead at the 8:55 mark.

After Leandra Priestly made a bucket for St. James to cut the lead to 12-6, East St. John went on a 14-0 run to give East St. John a commanding lead. Randi Donald’s bucket gave them their biggest lead of the game, 26-6.

Held scoreless for nearly five minutes, St. James finally broke the draught when Francis Jones made a basket with 3:04 left in the first half. Her basket made the score 26-8, East St. John.

The Lady Cats led at halftime 28-8.

In the second half, St. James outscored East St. John 12-10 during the first six minutes of play.

Trailing 38-13, St. James scored seven unanswered points to cut the lead to 18 points, 38-20. A three-pointer by Ariel Mitchell cut the lead to 38-18 with 6:44 left to play.

After St. James’ Christine Garrett sank two free throws, East St. John woke up and went on an 11-1 run.

A steal from Anderson was followed by a layup from the ESJ sophomore, making the score 46-23 with 3:05 left to play.

A free throw from Crystal Fleming made it 50-24 with 2:14 left to play in the game. Following a three point shot from Harry, making the score 50-27,

Keonna Nelson scored the final three points of the game to give the Lady Cats an impressive 53-27 victory.

The game was the first of a month long Summer League basketball schedule.

East St. John, West St. John, St. James and Destrehan are four River Parish teams that currently participate in this league.

Games are played each Tuesday and Thursday at different sites.

The next set of games will be played Tuesday at West St. John. The first game will begin at 6pm with the River Cats battling St. James. East St. John will play O. Perry Walker at 7pm and West St. John will play Destrehan at 8pm.

The season will conclude on Thursday, July 1 at O. Perry Walker.