By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

East St. John evened out its record at 8-8 this week by going 3-1 in the St. Martinsville tournament, dropping only one game in overtime.

The Wildcats defeated Franklin, Helen Cox and Lafayette but fell to Helen Cox in overtime, putting fourth an overall tournament performance that East St. John coach Yussef Jasmine believes his team can build upon.

“It puts us at .500 going into the new year. Considering where we came from, I’m pretty happy,” said Jasmine. “I feel like I see my team continually getting better, while we see others peaking right now. We hope to be peaking down the line, if possible in that state championship game.”

Against Franklin, the Wildcats took a 19-point halftime advantage on the back of a 24-10 second quarter advantage. ESJ sailed to a 79-55 win.

Patrick Washington scored 15 and Elex Carter scored 14 to lead the Wildcats.

Jasmine noted Carter’s play of late as a big key for his team.

“He’s starting to really play like the big man he is,” Jasmine said of his center. “He’s starting to figure things out, to know what we count on from him.”

McDonogh 35 outscored ESJ 6-5 in overtime to emerge with a 54-53 win in ESJ’s second game.

“They beat us by nine earlier this year, so I feel it shows how far we’ve come,” said Jasmine. “At the same time, I felt like we failed to finish on a number of easy baskets. If we execute, I think we would have won going away.”

Joseph Williams scored 19 to lead ESJ. Chester Victor scored 12.

The Wildcats dug an early hole against Helen Cox, falling behind 21-10 in the first quarter. But it was the only quarter the Cougars would win, and a 26-13 margin in the fourth in favor of ESJ lifted the Wildcats to a 57-51 victory.

Victor scored 13 and Williams scored 12 for ESJ.

Finally, ESJ rode a second quarter 22-11 spurt to key a 61-49 win over Lafayette.

Williams scored 19. LeBaron Sylvester added eight.