By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

East St. John has improved its play of late drastically in assistant coach Ronnie Smith’s eyes. That said, Tuesday’s result in his team’s final game at the St. Martinsville tournament was all too familiar for the Wildcats.

ESJ lost its sixth game of the season by two points when it fell to Beau Chene, 71-69, in the tournament bracket’s fifth place game.

“It’s not that we played poorly,” said Smith. “We just want to see more focus. Make those free throws and layups. Cash in on your opportunities. Missing a few of those is the difference in losing a game by two.”

ESJ had previously won two of three at the games at the tournament.

The Gators led 38-27 at halftime, but the Wildcats closed within one, 50-49, after three quarters.

Still, despite a strong effort from four of the team’s seniors, ESJ fell just short.

The Gators rode a hot hand by point guard Joseph Charles, who scored 36, including his perfect 13-of-13 mark at the foul line. 18 of his points came in the second quarter, when Beau Chene extended a three-point lead to 11.

Patrick Gales led the way with 17 points. 13 of those came in the third quarter as ESJ (7-11) made its run back into the game.

“Patrick has been playing exceptional ball at both the offense and defensive ends,” said Smith. “When we can go inside to him, we’re having success.”

Kaylon Placide scored 11. Kody Duhe scored eight while Kalen Henderson added seven.

All four top Wildcat scorers are seniors.

“We look to those guys for leadership and scoring, and they’ve been providing both,” said Smith.

Smith also notes that while these close losses are taxing, more often than not they’ve come against upper echelon competition.

“We’ve played a lot of good teams and been there at the end with a chance. That tells me we have a chance to play with anybody,” he said.