By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD — When the first Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll of the season revealed West St. John as its top ranked team in Class 1A, the Lady Rams didn’t let it go to their heads.

They’ve worked too hard to get to this point. They’re determined to keep it.

“All we talk about is basketball,” said senior forward Donasia Bell. “and all the things we want to achieve.”

Their focus was fully apparent on Tuesday night as the Rams made short work of visiting Ascension Catholic, 76-40.

It cemented a sweep of the first round of District 9-1A play for West St. John (21-1, 5-0) and the team’s eighth consecutive victory.

The Rams have lost just once all season, to Warren Easton — the top ranked team in Class 4A.

“Nobody’s taking it for granted,” said West St. John coach Lester Smith.

West St. John all but put things away early, outscoring the Bulldogs 24-6 in the first quarter.

Ascension Catholic (11-12, 2-3) trailed 35-16 before Bell converted on three consecutive buckets, including two 3-pointers to make it 43-16. A Jujuan Nicholas layup made it 45-18 and another Nicholas score pushed WSJ’s lead to 47-18 at halftime.

Jaylyn Gordon led WSJ with 21 points. Bell scored 17, one behind her season-high. Nicholas scored 12 and Maya Trench added seven.

Jordeynn Brown scored 13 to lead Ascension Catholic.

Eleven different Ram players scored in the game.

While Gordon has consistently led the scoring charge, the Rams had four players score in double figures in last week’s in over White Castle, then another balanced scoring effort Tuesday.

Defenses can’t simply key on Gordon, and West St. John’s record has shown the benefits of that balance.

“It’s very tough to matchup with us because you can’t stop everyone at once,” said Nicholas. “We’re all doing our part.”

Bell made three 3-pointers in the game and the forward’s more accurate outside shot has helped space the floor this season.

“Donasia was on fire tonight,” said Smith. “Everything she put up went down.”

Bell said that the players understand that there’s a long way to go before their ultimate goal of a state championship is intact, and that the team’s top ranking offers no promises along the way.

“We know teams are going to come after us,” said Bell. “So we have to keep working as hard as we’ve been … actually, even harder.”