By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — The East St. John Ladycats have found their groove.

ESJ rolled past visiting Hahnville Friday, 54-23, dominating from start to finish for its fourth straight victory.

DaRae Taylor scored a game-high 19 points to lead the way for ESJ.  Kennisha Brooks scored nine and Kariontae Victor added six.

Bailee Kaplan scored eight to lead Hahnville (7-13, 2-3). Janet Marshall scored six.

ESJ’s defense suffocated the Tigers throughout the night, allowing just 14 points through three quarters. The Wildcats led 36-12 at halftime.

“It’s a rivalry game, and when you’ve got that, you have to come out hard at both ends of the court,” Taylor said. “We listened to our coach and executed our plays.”

Since ESJ (12-5, 5-1) fell by 41 points to Destrehan Dec. 22, the Ladycats have outscored their ensuing four opponents by more than 24 points per game.

“(The Destrehan loss) woke us up,” Taylor said.

“We realized we can’t come out and start slow. We have to get off to a fast start.”

Said ESJ coach Jackson Manuel, “DaRae did a great job pushing the ball and getting us into our offense quickly(Friday).”

Taylor, who is as dangerous leading the ESJ press as she is offensively, said the team’s bolstered frontcourt this season has made a big difference.

“It helps a lot,” she said. “We know, as guards, if someone gets past us, we just need to run back and contest, and they’re protecting the basket. It gives us a lot of support.”

Manuel concurred.

“It makes a world of difference,” Manuel said. “When you press like we do, and (the frontcourt) is preventing easy baskets, that makes the defense click.”

While Victor’s offensive contributions were helpful, Manuel said, he especially credited the reserve guard’s defensive mettle Friday night.

“When she comes in, we really get a lift defensively,” he said. “She’s so energetic, it adds another spark. With our defense, it’s like adding gasoline to an open fire.”

ESJ had a game against Thibodaux Tuesday (after press time) and another upcoming against Terrebonne Friday before a looming rematch with Destrehan next week. DHS has won seven of eight since the ESJ game.

Manuel feels his team is in much better position now than then, however.

“We’re starting to develop a chemistry,” he said. “It’s taken awhile, but some girls are starting to assert their leadership. And with that being the case, the sky’s the limit.”