By GEORGE MAHL

RESERVE – Tuesday night was a good night for both the East St. John High School girls and boys basketball teams. The Reserve school’s squads knocked off rival Destrehan High School in convincing fashion.

To start off the evening, the Lady Cats defeated the Lady Wildcats 60-45 before a near-capacity crowd at East St. John Gym. Behind Ryan Perrilloux’s 36 points, the Wildcats then picked up a key district win, 79-67.

Girls

The East St. John High School Lady Cats remained unbeaten in District 6-5A action and improved their home record to 74-1 over the last seven years with a 60-45 win. Head coach Troy Giordano said afterward he was pleased with the victory, but he felt his team could have played better.

“I thought tonight we played inconsistent and in spurts,” he said. “I think we’re capable of playing a better game.”

Leading the ESJ attack was Kojovana Hamilton, who finished with 20 points, including 15 in the second half. Two quick three-pointers to start the game, courtesy of Erin Keller and Nikita Robertson, gave ESJ a 6-0 lead with less than two minutes elapsed.

However, DHS came back to tie the game at seven thanks to Tranise Hamilton’s three-point bomb. After DHS senior Megan Stock sank two free throws making the score 17-12 East St. John, the ESJ Lady Cats took several seconds off the clock before Ashley Porter knocked down a three-point shot from the corner with three seconds left in the quarter.

East St. John went on to take a 29-24 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the Lady Cats outscored Destrehan 15-6. Kojo Hamilton’s jump shot with 3:27 left in the game gave the Lady Cats their biggest lead, 53-33.

“Kojo (Hamilton) really stepped things up in the second half for us,” Giordano said.

Leading scorers for ESJ were Robertson (12 points) and Keller (10 points). For DHS, Johneshia Luckett finished with 14 points, while Tranise Hamilton added 10.

Boys

The ESJ boys basketball team needed a big win to stay in playoff contention in District 6-5A. Guard Ryan Perrilloux’s 36 points elevated the Wildcats to a 79-67 win over rival Destrehan.

East St. John only trailed twice in the game.

“My guys hustle on every play during every game,” was how ESJ head coach Charles Julien described his team’s performance.

During the first quarter, both teams exchanged baskets, resulting in a 16-16 score at the end of the quarter. After back to back three-pointers, Perrilloux did a thunderous dunk and was fouled. His dunk brought the ESJ fans to their feet.

After Perrilloux, a sophomore, sank a free throw completing the three-point play, East St. John had their biggest lead, 26-20.

After DHS senior Chris Moore hit a basket making the score 31-27 ESJ, Perrilloux, on ESJ’s next possession, went down the floor, beat his man off the dribble, stopped at the foul line and made a basket.

“Ryan is one of the best players in the area. He’s tough to defend,” said Julien.

The Wildcats would outscore Destrehan 6-2 at the end of the half to grab a 37-29 halftime advantage.

Moore led DHS with 10 points in the first half. Another 13 points from Perrilloux in the third quarter resulted in the Wildcats holding a 60-45 lead heading into the final period.

In addition to Perrilloux, Ryan Stipe had 10 points in the victory. For DHS, Moore lead all Fighting Wildcat scorers with 29, while Donald Pollard finished with 16 points.