By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Dutchtown overcame an eight point halftime deficit to topple East St. John on Friday night, 63-56, in a District 6-5A game in Geismar.

The Griffins (16-8, 2-2) outscored the Wildcats (21-10, 1-1) 30-15 in the second half to secure a victory that leaves the two teams tied for third place in District 6-5A, behind East Ascension and Dutchtown.

“This puts our backs against the wall,” said East St. John coach Troy Giordano. “We went to their place, and they got us. This loss hurt us.”

Dutchtown had towering advantages in two areas — the Griffins out-rebounded ESJ 48-20, and shot 36 free throws to eight for the Wildcats.

“You just can’t give someone 36 free throws in a game. You won’t win,” said Giordano. “They had a big side advantage, and we couldn’t get a rebound when we needed to get one.”

Dutchtown survived a 29 point effort by ESJ’s Mechel’le Thomas. Ciara Augillard chipped in 13. Bria Joseph scored six.

Rhondalynn Popularus led the Griffins with 24. Ka’Nieshia Cobbins added 16.

“We did a good job on Cobbins. That’s their stud,” said Giordano. “But when we held her in check, (Popularus) stepped up for them.”

ESJ led 23-14 after the first quarter and 41-33 at halftime. But a 16-6 third quarter scoring margin in Dutchtown’s favor began to turn things around.

“We did nothing different. We made every shot we took in the first quarter,” said Giordano. “We went cold after that.”

EAST ST. JOHN 72, ASSUMPTION 42 — Augillard’s 23 points paced the Wildcats as they downed Assumption in their game Sunday at the East St. John Hall of Fame tournament.

Korielle Tucker and Thomas each added 13.

ESJ led 45-20 at halftime.

“We hit our shots. We were hot,” said Giordano. “We bounced back, and we needed to with Destrehan coming in (Tuesday).”