RESERVE — On Monday the East St. John Lady Wildcats celebrated a solid 46-41 victory over cross-river rival West St. John. On Tuesday, the LadyCats rode that momentum right into district play.

East St. John opened the District 7-5A slate with a crushing 70-13 win on the road at Central Lafourche. Taylor Lipps led all scorers with 16 points. Meah Monroe scored 11 points and NaKendra Wilson followed with 10 points.

Wildcats coach Stasha Thomas said it was a great start for her team in district play.

“We played really good that game,” she said. “We just came out real strong. I think it was just a carry-over from the West St. John game.”

East St. John tried to keep that momentum going on Wednesday against Helen Cox, but let a close one get away, 72-67. Selena James led the scoring in that one with 15 points.

Lipps scored 12, Monroe scored 11 and Briana Thompson scored 10.

Thomas said, despite the loss, she was pleased with the way her team battled.

“We had an 8-point lead at one point at the very end of the third quarter,” she said. “It was a real back-and-forth game.”

But a technical foul combined with a personal foul, then a missed layup helped the Cougars pull away early in the final period, Thomas said.

“We let that get away,” she said.

The Wildcats (6-9) will take a few days off before traveling to H.L. Bourgeois for another district contest on Tuesday.

Riverside Academy improved to 10-3 with a 46-51 victory against Morgan City on Tuesday. The Lady Rebels have won three in a row and six of their last seven. The team will take next week off before hosting Houma Christian Jan. 4.

St. Charles Catholic (11-3) resumes play on Jan. 5 at De La Salle. West St. John (8-5) travels to McDonogh 35 on Jan. 5.