By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

When East St. John fell behind early on at Mount Carmel on Wednesday night, the Wildcats knew exactly what to call upon – that pressure defense that’s brought them so much recent success.

Once again, it proved reliable. The Wildcats erased a 17-8 first quarter deficit to race past the Cubs, notching a 63-43 win.

Mechelle Thomas scored 22 to lead East St. John (16-9). Laci Dent added 14, and Wanisha Creecy scored 12 on four 3-pointers.

Meredith Martina led Mount Carmel with 17 points.

The Wildcats outscored the Cubs (12-13) 37-14 in the second half of play.

The impressive margin of victory for East St. John may be telling as it prepares to open district play at Hahnville next week. The Wildcats are now 5-2 in their last seven games, with the wins coming by margins of 23, 22, 35, 16 and now 20.

The Wildcats, who start only one senior and have been trying to find consistency all season, may be hitting their stride at precisely the right time.

Last Friday, East St. John fell in the second round of the Destin Christmas Invitational to a top rated Jackson County (TN) team, 83-52.

Thomas scored 29 to lead the Wildcats.

Jackson County (16-0) was the undefeated state champion of Tennessee in 2006. Giordano was among the impressed.

“You make a basket, they hit a three. You make a free throw, they hit a three,” Giordano said. “I don’t think that anyone can beat these people. They are damn impressive.”

Jackson County hit 17 3-pointers in the game.

The Wildcats wrapped up tournament play by taking third place with a 52-36 win over Glencore (AL) on Saturday. Individual stats were not available at press time.