By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – East St. John moved to 2-0 on Thursday night, knocking off Central Lafourche 54-45 in front of the Wildcats’ home fans.

Kalen Henderson and Patrick Gales each scored 10 points, and Jalen Kenner added eight to lead 12 Wildcats scorers.

ESJ coach Yussef Jasmine says that the even scoring distribution was no fluke.

“We’re deeper than we were last year,” said Jasmine, comparing this year’s squad to the district champion of a season ago. “I feel like I can call on any of our 15 players at any time. But as a coach, that can be good and bad. You have to manage egos, and find the best lineup at a given time. It’s on me to really focus on that.”

East St. John (2-0) led by seven at halftime, but its offense stalled long enough in the second half to see the Trojans draw close.

Reandell Poindexter opened the third quarter scoring with a 3-pointer for Central LaFourche, and would answer a Khari Milton layup with one of his own to make it 29-26. Dustin Arceneaux added another close range bucket to cut the lead to 1, 29-28.

“We were a little careless with the ball. We forced turnovers, but we turned it over as well,” said Jasmine. “We’ve got some young players that want to play fast, but not careful.”

But ESJ got on a roll to end the quarter. LeBaron Sylvester made a jumper, then Henderson notched a steal and a layup to push the lead to five. The Trojans answered with a Davon Anderson Bucket, but Louis Williams III canned a 3 from the corner and Joseph Williams Jr. added a jumper to make it 38-30 at the end of three quarters.

Arceneaux began the fourth by hitting a 3. But ESJ pushed the lead back to nine when Henderson first dished a pass to Kenner for a layup, then ignited a fast break with a block – it ended in a score by Williams Jr.

The Trojans would get as close as five with 1:24 left, 48-43. But ESJ scored the final five points of the night to seal things.

“Defensively, we were able to wear them down. Just based on numbers, all of our guys can go in and pressure the ball at any given moment,” said Jasmine.

ESJ ended the first half on a 5-0 run – Gales scored the final eight points of the half for ESJ.

“We’ve been working hard in practice every day,” said Gales. “Hopefully we keep this going.”

ESJ 78, LUTCHER 42 – The Wildcats wasted little time getting off to a good start in their first game of the season, topping the Bulldogs convincingly at home. ESJ led 35-21 at half, but broke loose in the third quarter to push it to a 56-33 lead.

Gales and Kody Duhe each scored 14. Williams Jr. scored 13.

For LHS, Tyrion Myles scored 10.