By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Coming off of a banner season for its program, West St. John began its girls basketball season on a positive note at the Thomas Jefferson tournament over the weekend, collecting wins in two of their three games.

The Lady Rams defeated host Thomas Jefferson, 50-41, and toppled Cohen, 44-38. Thibodaux denied the Rams a perfect weekend as the Tigers captured a 54-41 win, but for an extremely young Rams team, it was a plus-weekend in coach Lester Smith’s eyes.

“It’s a real good start,” said Smith. “At one point, I looked out on the court and we had a freshman and four eighth graders out there … we’re young, and we’re going to make mistakes. We’re not big. But we’re going to get out in transition and run.”

In the win over Thomas Jefferson, Danesia Bell and JuJuan Nicholas each scored 13 points.

That statline was repeated against Cohen, as each scored 13 again to help lift the team to its second win.

Nicholas is a eighth grade guard and Bell is a freshman forward. Both are evolving into go-to players for the young Rams.

“They’ve already made some big plays for us,” said Smith. “They’ve stepped up.”

Nicholas scored 11 in the loss to Thibodaux.

Jaylyn Gordon, one of the Rams’ stars a year ago, hasn’t put up big scoring numbers yet and Smith says that’s by design. His sophomore point guard has been concentrating on setting up her teammates with success.

“She’s doing a good job distributing the ball,” said Smith. “She’s not one to go out and force offense. She’s getting everyone involved.”

Last season the Rams collected their first ever playoff victory and first district title.