By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — West St. John wrapped up its Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic debut last weekend, going 1-2 at the event to push its record to 12-4. 

The Rams fell in its opener to Germantown (PA), 74-47, then split close games against local foes, besting Cabrini 38-35 but falling to Karr, 47-45.

“I thought we got a lot out of the experience,” said West St. John coach Lester Smith. “We played three strong teams. Germantown’s won three consecutive state championships and four of the last five years. Cabrini and Karr are highly ranked. I thought it was a good way to test ourselves.”

West St. John (12-4) rode its defense to victory over Cabrini (11-5), holding its opposition to just three first quarter points and never more than 11 in any thereafter. 

Maya Trench scored 14 and JuJuan Nicholas 13 to lead West St. John.

Cabrini is ranked third in Class 4A by power points. 

“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but our defense was very good,” said Smith. “Their inside game is strong. Our bigs did a good job against them. Combined their starting combo finished with just 15 points between them.”

Cabrini took care of the basketball and didn’t allow West St. John to force the frenetic pace it prefers generally. 

That meant the Rams halfcourt defensive mettle was tested.

“It was a confidence boost for sure. We’ve been playing pretty well on that end all season,” said Smith. 

The Rams rode a hot start early against Karr, the ninth ranked team in Class 4A by power points. West St. John led 19-11 after the first quarter but Karr chipped away, outscoring WSJ in each quarter thereafter, including an 11-4 spot in the second quarter. 

Tulane commitment Diamante Martinez led Karr (9-4) with 19 points. 

Trench scored 19 and JuJuan Nicholas 14 for the Rams. 

“We had no answer for their big girl,” said Smith of Martinez. “She got into foul trouble late and finally fouled out, so that limited them. We had a chance at the end.”

The Rams forced a turnover with 14 seconds left and had a shot to tie, but it came up empty. 

“Our kids played very hard,” said Smith. “I was proud of them.”

Against Germantown, Trench led the Rams with 22 in a losing effort. Nicholas added 12. 

Olivia Gorman led Germantown with 16 points. 

The Patriots led 41-17 at halftime.

“That’s a strong team,” said Smith. 

“We didn’t have a good start and it kinda snowballed a little on us.”