By GEORGE MAHL

Some of the area high school girls basketball teams are continuing to find success on the hard court this year. Here is an update:

East St. John High School

It should not be a shock to anyone the East St. John girls basketball team is one of the top Class 5A teams in the state this season. With a 26-2 record, the Lady Cats are once again on the road to the playoffs.

ESJ (8-0 in district) is coming off an impressive district opener against Central Lafourche, 70-33. Later on in district play, the Lady Cats defeated the Destrehan Lady Wildcats 60-45 on Jan. 21. Most recently, however, ESJ cruised to a 69-33 drubbing of Terrebonne.

Reserve Christian School

Like East St. John, the Reserve Christian Lady Eagles are at the top of their game right now. However, they recently had an off-court situation resulting in the Lady Eagles forfeiting several games. Right now, the Lady Eagles have a record of 5-23 (5-0 district). The Lady Eagles are led By Trenell Smith, who has averaged more than 20 points during the season, are coming off an impressive victory over McGhee recently. They recently continued their domination with a 89-32 over Mount Hermon. RCS will play Tuesday at St. James.

Hahnville High School

The Lady Tigers have generall played well this season, but have come up short against quality opposition. Head coach Earl Oestreicher and the Lady Tigers recently dropped a tough 52-47 contest against Central Lafourche in Mathews. Hahnvile (15-10, 5-4 district) has upcoming district games with H.L. Bourgeois (home, Tuesday) and Destrehan (road, Friday).

St. Charles Catholic High School

St. Charles Catholic girls basketball coach Erin Remondet has experienced some difficulties as of late.

Most recently, SCC fell to District 10-3A leader Donaldsonville (24-3, 4-0) 52-26 and the Lady Comets did not have a player score in double figures.

On Jan. 17, SCC defeated Lutcher 40-25. Upcoming games for SCC (9-14, 1-2) include Lutcher (Tuesday at home), E.D. White (Friday, road), and St. James (Feb. 11 at home).

Lutcher High School

Under the direction of head coach Patrick Ricks, the Lutcher girls basketball team has struggled this season. With only one returning starter remaining from last year’s team, Brandi Derbigny, the team has had difficulty gaining recognition.

With a record of 2-21 (0-3 district), the Lady Bulldogs dropped a tough overtime game to rival St. James on Jan. 24, 40-34. Derbigny had 20 points in the loss. Lutcher has upcoming contests at St. Charles Catholic (Tuesday) and E.D. White (Feb. 11 at home).

Destrehan High School

The Lady Wildcats (19-4, 7-2) have been playing well over their last three games. Following a 60-45 loss to rival East St. John, Destrehan went on to defeat South Lafourche and Terrebonne. The Lady Wildcats defeated South Lafourche 73-35 at home on Jan. 28.

Mississippi State signee Ashley Sentimore had 16 points in the victory, while Megan Stock contributed with 15. Upcoming games, for Destrehan include at Central Lafourche (Tuesday) and a home game against Hahnville on Friday.

St. James High School

A 7-25 (1-2 district) record may not be appealing to most people, but head coach Cary Culler will take it over last season in which the Lady Wildcats only won one game all year. SJHS picked up their first district win of the season, a 40-36 overtime victory over Lutcher.

A game that Culler described as “like riding a roller coaster.” Leading the way for the Lady Wildcats was Jaranell Jones and Terricka Stewart, who both finished with 13 points. The Lady Wildcats will have their next two games at home. They play Reserve Christian at home Tuesday followed By a game against Donaldsonville on Friday.

West St. John High School

The Lady Rams (8-7, 5-3) did not perform well in their last district game, a 69-44 loss to Newman. West St. John has three games remaining in the regular season. They will take to the road to play Riverside (Tuesday) and St. Martin’s (Friday), while finishing up the regular season at home against Redeemer-Seton.

Riverside Academy

The Riverside Academy Lady Rebels are quietly having a successful season. Largely overshadowed By East St. John and Destrehan, the Lady Rebels and first-year coach Jenny Zeringue are currently in second place in District 9-2A.

With a district record of 7-1, Riverside trails only Newman in the standings. RA fell to Newman on Jan. 16, 52-46. This week, the Reserve school has rematches with West St. John (Tuesday) and Fisher (Friday), both are at home. Riverside is led By Crystal Rome, who is averaging more than 24 points per game.