By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

Alton Joseph’s hook shot in the final minute of play proved to be the difference as West St. John defeated visiting St. Charles on Friday night, 56-54 in Edgard.

The basket made up two of Joseph’s game high 28 points as the Rams broke a three game losing streak.

“Without a doubt, it was a very emotional game,” said West St. John Coach Antoine Edwards. “We played well in spurts. At times, we had to fight back. But down the stretch, we went inside to Alton, and he came through.”

St. Charles (7-11) had a chance to tie, but Zach Goodwin’s put back attempt of a DeMarcus Bernard shot was no good in the final seconds of the game, and the Rams were able to hold on.

“We set up a play, and we got what I thought we would,” said St. Charles Coach Chris Perrone. “We drove hard off a ball screen and they switched. They had a guard on (forward) Birch Matus, and Joseph outside. But we didn’t hit him for the high-percentage shot.

“All in all, it was a heck of a game, though.”

Perrone said Joseph made a world of difference for the Rams.

“He’s a complete player. He’s good on the block, and he can step outside and shoot from 15 feet,” Perrone said. “He was able to do most of his work in the paint against us.”

Edwards said that the win came at an important time.

“We needed a win badly,” he said. “We were coming off of three straight losses. To win a close game like this, that could go either way, it’s a boost. It gives us some spirit.”

St. Charles led in the fourth quarter, but West St. John (6-9) came with what Perrone called a “sense of urgency”, and were able to tie the game to set up Joseph’s game winner.

“We turned it over once they extended their pressure. They fought their way back into it,” Perrone said.

“We’ve had five or six close games recently, and only won two or three. We have to adjust. But the good thing is, you can’t go into a (district) fight unless you’re battle tested. Eventually, I’d like to think we’ll pull these out.”