Thomas scores 28, Dent 19 in tourney loss

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John Coach Troy Giordano says that his young Lady Wildcats still are a work in progress – particularly when it comes to late game execution.

After losing to Vandebilt Catholic by one point on Sunday in pool play of the Battle on the Bayou tournament at the Alario Center, East St. John suffered the same fate Monday night, falling in another first round game 53-52 to Mount Carmel. To compound matters, the Wildcats fell again on Tuesday to Plaquemine in a consolation bracket game, 42-37.

The loss to the Cubs (3-2) was especially tough because of the circumstances that it happened in. East St. John (4-4) led by 14 at halftime, but lost the lead and the game as it shot 2-10 from the line within the last two minutes. The Wildcats also missed two layups down the stretch that potentially could have meant a win.

“If you make a couple free throws, you win the game,” said Giordano. “When you make mental mistakes like we did down the stretch, you’re serving the game up on a platter.”

Mount Carmel outscored East St. John 35-20 in the second half.

Mechelle Thomas led East St. John with 28 points. Laci Dent scored 19.

Brooke Froeba led Mount Carmel with 19 points.

The loss sent East St. John to the third place bracket of the tournament’s Gold Division, where it met Plaquemine. The Green Devils led 40-30 with under two minutes remaining, but five quick points by Dent cut the lead to 40-35 after two foul shots and a three-pointer.

Plaquemine’s Amber McCoy hit one of two foul shots to extend the lead to six, but with 12 seconds left Ciara Augillard hit a layup and drew a foul. She missed the foul shot though, and Plaquemine (2-2) was able to hold off the Wildcats for the win.

Dent led the way for East St. John with 16 points. Thomas added 12.

Kelli Jenkins led Plaquemine with 18 points, while Brittany Brown scored 13.

“We weren’t rebounding or boxing out,” said Dent. “We committed stupid fouls. We need to get more physical and aggressive.”

Said Giordano: “We had no intensity. We’re now playing aggressively enough right now. It’s part of growing up.

“Sooner or later, we’ll get it together. I just hope it’s sooner.”