EDGARD — The West St. John High girls basketball team is gearing up for Thursday’s final regular season game against Lake Area New Tech, eager to advance to the playoffs with a winning record.

Coming into the week with an 11-11 season record, 3-2 in District, those goals are within reach.

Head coach Lester Smith said the team has persevered through an intense schedule with games against Helen Cox, Karr, Ascension Catholic and other top teams.

“We played a lot of good teams in the top 10 or 15,” Smith said, noting many games were against 3A to 5A schools.

West St. John is a 1A school with a small roster, Smith said. With a team of seven players — four sophomores and three juniors — a tight strategy is a must.

“There were a couple of games that we lost that we should’ve won, but we’re a young team,” Smith said.

“It’s been a roller coaster, and we were kind of expecting that.”

Fouling out has been a weak point in the team’s performance, Smith said, but there are plenty of things the girls are doing well.

“They are going to play hard and give it their best,” Smith said.

“Even though they are small in number, they always give it their all.”

Smith said junior Sevante Hamilton has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game and contributing to many of the team’s wins.

Sophomore Kylie Adams has been instrumental to the team’s success, Smith said. Playing as a small forward and center, Adams leads the team in rebounds.

Junior Nazel Breaux is another standout player, according to Smith, who describes her as an athletic, all-around competitor averaging 7 points per game.

The Lady Rams play against Lake Area New Tech at 5 p.m. Thursday at home.