Maya Trench - 2015 St. John the Baptist Parish girls basketball MVP

LAPLACE — The West St. John girls basketball program has ascended to become among the best Louisiana has to offer — and this year’s All-St. John Parish girls basketball team again reflects that.

Three Lady Rams earn spots on the L’OBSERVATEUR squad this year, led by West St. John point guard Maya Trench, this year’s St. John Parish MVP after she led her team to a 26-6 record and state quarterfinal appearance.

The Rams had the most successful season in a parish full of them. The 2014-15 season saw all four St. John Parish squads win 18 games or more.

Trench averaged 14 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 3 steals per game for a Rams team that won its district for the fifth consecutive season. It’s the second straight season Trench has earned the honor and the second Rams player in recent memory to earn the honor multiple times, along with Trench’s cousin, Jaylyn Gordon.

The Rams also boast this season’s coach of the year.

West St. John’s Lester Smith guided his team to another district championship, and the Rams reached the state quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season. West St. John won 26 games despite the Class 1A squad playing against a slate of teams that included 16 games against teams in Class 4A and 5A.

They’re joined on the team by senior guard JuJuan Nicholas and junior Jaquanna Hunter, who averaged 12.7 and 10 points per game respectively for the Rams to round out, with Trench, one of the most dangerous scoring trios in the state.

East St. John seniors Da’Rae Taylor (10.5 points) and Kennisha Brooks (12.8 points per game) led their team in the backcourt and frontcourt respectively, Taylor its floor general and Brooks the veteran leader of one of the state’s most talented frontcourts. ESJ went 18-8 this season.

Riverside sees two players earn All-Parish honors in freshman guard Ja’Keyra Gautreaux (12.6 points per game) and senior guard Kennedy White (12.9 points per game). The duo led a Rebels team that went 20-8.

St. Charles Catholic had its best win output in recent memory, posting an 18-11 mark. Lela Hill (11.5 points per game) led the way for the Comets  offensively and defensively, earning a spot on this year’s team.

2014-15 All-Parish Team

Maya Trench

Junior, West St. John

For a program that has become one of the very best Louisiana has to offer, Maya Trench has been in the middle of all of it. A do-it-all point guard, Trench averaged 14 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 3 steals per game this season for a Lady Rams squad that went 26-6 this season and returned to the Class 1A state quarterfinals. Trench’s motor never stops. She keyed the Rams’ defensive pressure, got into the lane at will and is a dangerous shooter from the outside. For the second time in as many seasons, she earns St. John Parish MVP honors.

Coach’s quote: “Her leadership was the biggest thing. When she was on the court, she led us in every way. More than her scoring, the way she rebounded or made a steal in a key situation. When she’s out the game, we miss her in a big way.” — WSJ coach Lester Smith.

 

JuJuan Nicholas

Senior, West St. John

Nicholas overcame an injury that sidelined her over the summer to average 12.7 points per game and provide one of the state’s best one-two backcourt punches along with teammate Maya Trench.

Coach’s quote: “She worked hard in the offseason to be ready for our start. She’s a strong scorer. She always has been able to, and this year she improved her offensive game.” — WSJ coach Lester Smith.

 

Jaquanna Hunter

Junior, West St. John

Hunter began showing flashes of being a go-to player as a sophomore, and broke out as a junior, averaging more than 10 points per game and providing tough rebounding and defensive play from the forward spot.

Coach’s quote: “She had a real good year for us. Her biggest improvement came at the defensive end. When we went to our full court man-to-man pressure, she was the one to pressure the ball.”—WSJ coach Lester Smith.

 

Kennedy White

Senior, Riverside

White did a little of everything for her team this season, taking on more ball handling responsibilities. She evolved into one of her team’s go-to players and leaders, posting averages of 12.9 points, 3.1 steals and 2.7 assists per game.

Coach’s quote: “Kennedy did an outstanding job for us. She’s naturally a two-guard, but we needed her to handle the point and she unselfishly took on that role. She did whatever I asked and was a very good leader on and off the court.”—RA coach Kathy Luke.

 

Ja’Keyra Gautreaux

Freshman, Riverside

An All-State selection in only her freshman season, Gautreaux averaged 12.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.1 steals per game. The 5’8” forward/guard is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.

Coach’s quote: “She plays more under control now than when I first came here, and she’s been working hard to improve her game. Her shot selection has gotten better and she understands her role. She’s becoming more relaxed, which is a very good thing.”— RA coach Kathy Luke.

 

Lela Hill

Junior, St. Charles Catholic

It would be hard to find a player that plays harder than Hill, a ball of fire as a scorer (11.5 points per game), rebounder and defender. For a resurgent Comets team that won 18 games this season, Hill was its heart and soul.

Coach’s quote: “She was who we looked to be our go-to scorer and she did a very good job at it. Lela’s a hustler and one of the fastest players on our team. She forced a bunch of turnovers defensively.” — SCC coach Meghan Ericksen.