BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

It’s time to start worrying at East St. John.

After going nearly nine years without a home loss in the regular season, the East St. John Lady Wildcats lost their second game at home in a week and their suffered their third loss in a row when H.L. Bourgeois beat ESJ 55-42.

Their only scorer in double-figures, ESJ was led by Randi Donald’s 11 points.

The loss drops the Wildcats to 5-3 in district play and 15-14 overall.

“It was a close game throughout,” ESJ head coach Troy Giordano said. “They (H.L. Bourgeois) just came out and played more aggressive. They attacked us and beat us up on the boards. They beat us offensively, driving to the basket. We didn’t take any charges. They just got after it.

“They shot 32 free throws and we shot only 11. That was not because of officiating, it was because of their aggressive play. We did not play aggressive. They were and we just sat back and took it. I was disappointed in our performance.”

Lady Wildcat Stasha Thomas echoed Giordano’s sentiments.

“We just came out and didn’t play well,” Thomas said. “We were not listening to what the coaches were telling us. We felt that we got out-hustled, didn’t play much defense and didn’t communicate well on offense.”

Not used to looking up to the rest in the field in their district, Giordano said he is worried about his team’s play.

“I was worried after the first lost,” Giordano said. “It’s an effort thing with us right now. We are 5-3 in district play and in a three-way tie for third place. We are still in the chase. We are still in the hunt. But sooner or later I hope my players can step up to this challenge and play with a little more effort.

“It’s not the time to lose a game due to a lack of effort. If you are going to lose a game, you want to do it because a team is better than you and they just beat you. Not because of a lack of effort and enthusiasm.”