By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

East St. John’s boys basketball team moved to 8-3 this week after defeating O. Perry Walker at home and Lutcher at the St. James tournament Thursday.

The Wildcats led throughout against Walker on Tuesday but a late rally left ESJ with a two-point victory, 59-57. The Wildcats led 35-29 at halftime and extended their lead to 16 after establishing a third quarter scoring margin of 18-8.

Joseph Williams led the Wildcats with 21 points. Tra’Devin Wilson added 13.

“We were able to control things,” said East St. John coach Yussef Jasmine. “We made some unforced errors at the end. But our defensive intensity was strong and we forced a lot of turnovers. We really picked it up in the third quarter.”

East St. John all but finished Lutcher in the first half on Thursday, extending a seven point lead to 17 after outscoring the Bulldogs 24-14 in the second quarter.

Emmanuel Victor led ESJ with 17 points. Williams, Elex Carter and Wilson each added 11.

For Lutcher, Taijah White scored 13 and Tyron West scored 12.

The East St. John girls went 5-0 at the Central Lafourche tournament last weekend, defeating South Terrebonne, Grace King, Thomas Jefferson, Central Lafourche and Haynes.

In the game against host Central Lafourche, ESJ got out to a 20-7 lead on its was to a 71-43 victory. Kanitra Lee scored 20 points. Da’Rae Taylor scored 16 and Kemyra Arvie scored 14.

Bria Joseph scored a season-high 32 against Haynes as the Ladycats (8-2) took a 53-40 victory.

It was a 60-33 decision over Thomas Jefferson that saw Lee score 13 and Taylor score 12.

ESJ outscored Grace King 26-8 in the fourth quarter of a 48-23 win on the tournament’s second day. Lee scored 14 and Joseph scored 10.

Finally, Joseph scored a game-high 25 as the Wildcats defeated South Terrebonne, 68-18.

“I think we’re meshing better now, beginning to gel more” said East St. John coach Jackson Manuel. “Our two home losses came against some stern competition. Against McDonogh 25 we gave it away with too many missed layups and free throws. We started to rectify it in the last few games.”