By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – After five straight games on the road, and coming off of its first loss in 12 games, the West St. John girls basketball team bounced back to defeat St. John-Plaquemine in Edgard, 51-38, in a District 8-1A game Friday night.

Jaylyn Gordon led all scorers with 24 points. Sydnei Young added 11.

“It was great to get back home, first of all,” said West St. John coach Lester Smith. “To get a win off of a tough loss. The kids responded well.”

The Rams (16-3, 4-1) stormed out to an 11-point halftime lead, 25-14, thanks to an 18-7 second quarter scoring margin.

The Eagles cut the lead to four entering the fourth quarter, but the Rams wouldn’t relinquish the lead and outscored St. John (4-15, 0-4) 18-9 in the final quarter.

“We pressed them a little and got out to a lead, but in the third they came down, hit a couple of 3’s, and made it into a game,” said Smith. “We were able to slow them down after that. They had to start fouling late and we made our free throws.

St. John’s Brittany Brown led her team with 11 points.

Smith said that Young’s offensive contribution was a sign that she’s becoming more well-rounded.

“She’s played great defense for us all season,” said Smith. “Her offensive is starting to come around now.”

West St. John was scheduled to play on the road again on Tuesday night at Christian Life, but will play five of its last six games at home. That run will begin with a clash with Ascension Catholic Friday night.

The Rams will likely have to win out for a chance to win district for a second straight season, including a Feb. 4 rematch in Edgard with White Castle, which defeated WSJ last Tuesday.

“We have to keep it going,” said Smith. “We beat Ascension Catholic by 20 last time out, but that game was very close for a half. We want to win them all going into that rematch with White Castle, but we can’t afford to look ahead at all.”