By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD — West St. John has historically started slow before heating up heading into district season under coach Antoine Edwards. And while the Rams’ roster does not boast the numbers of years past, the formula seems to be holding after a decisive 51-32 win at home over John McDonogh Friday night.

It was the second straight win for WSJ, which saw a noticeable improvement in its performance at last weekend’s Plaquemine tournament.

Jalen Adams scored 14 to lead the Rams (4-10). Jordan Hamilton scored 10, Damond Pierce added seven and Juwan Green scored six.

“We started off kinda slow this year,” said Adams.

“So we’re doing what we need to do to change that. Get in the gym, put extra work in so that we just keep getting better. Everyone’s putting in the effort.”

Ivan Manson led McDonogh with seven points.

Defense was the word of the day for the Rams, who allowed just two first quarter points in surging to a 15-2 lead. Hamilton got off to a quick start, scoring the first five points of the game, including an opening 3-pointer. Qwan Scott hit a 3 to make it 8-2. Green converted a basket to make it 11-2.

McDonogh’s Vincent White and Thomas Devezin converted a pair of baskets respectively early in the second quarter to get McDonogh started. But the Rams wouldn’t stall. Pierce made a putback, and Scott and Adams each made a pair of free throws to help push the lead to 21-6. WSJ would lead by as many as 19 in the first half, that margin holding at halftime after Lawrence Williams bucket at the end of the first half made it 29-10.

“We were settling on too many jumpers earlier this year, but tonight our coaches just told us to attack first, go to the rim,” said Adams.

WSJ allowed just six points in the third quarter and an Adams basket capped a 6-0 run to end the frame, making it 41-16 entering the fourth.

“Coach told us to keep up the defensive intensity,” said Adams. “I thought we did a pretty good job coming out after halftime.”

Edwards said that the effort equated to a solid win, but that the same level of play won’t be enough to get through a very tough District 9-1A slate, which began Tuesday in Edgard (after press time) against East Iberville.

“We have to keep getting better, and we definitely need to do a better job taking care of the ball,” said Edwards. “We played good, aggressive defense tonight. But we’ll have to improve … and keep improving.”