By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

EDGARD — West St. John hadn’t lost a district game in the past four seasons and change entering its game at East Iberville Friday night.

That streak continues, thanks to some clutch late game heroics by the Rams.

WSJ trailed by five in the fourth quarter but rallied for a 51-49 victory behind its high scoring trio of Maya Trench, Jaquanna Hunter and JuJuan Nicholas.  

West St. John (22-4, 6-0) has won seven straight games since wrapping up play at the Sugar Bowl Prep Basketball Classic tournament in early January.

Trench scored 15 points, while Hunter and Nicholas each added 14.

Jasmine Mosby scored 15 to lead East Iberville (11-16, 2-4). Alanna Washington scored 14.

West St. John won with ease in the first meeting between the teams on Jan. 13, WSJ blasting its way to a 68-40 win.

This time, the Tigers wouldn’t go quietly.

“Every time we play them in their place, it’s a hard game,” West St. John coach Lester Smith said. “Just like we play with that extra energy at home, they do as well. They play harder there. We did a pretty good job in the second half. We relied on our defense to get back into it.

“I told our kids before the game, they weren’t going to give it to us. They got their crowd into it and played with a lot of energy.”

After allowing 41 points in the first three quarters, the Rams buckled down and allowed just eight points in the fourth.

“We didn’t change anything scheme wise,” Smith said. “We just did a better job of being in the right position.”

Smith noted Trench and Hunter each made key baskets to take the lead in the fourth. Eleven  of Hunter’s 14 points came after halftime.

“Jaquanna really stepped up for us,” Smith said. “She kind of got going after the break, and that was huge.”

The Rams also defeated district foe Ascension Christian last week, felling the Lions 54-29.

Hunter scored 17, Trench 15 and Nicholas nine in the victory.

Jaminie Robinson scored 12 to lead the Tigers (6-15, 1-4).

The Rams were slated to rematch host White Castle Tuesday night, after press time, and will travel to Ascension Catholic Friday night. A win over White Castle would wrap up at least a share of the District 8-1A championship for West St. John.