RESERVE — The East St. John Lady Wildcats were feeling it Tuesday night.

With a big lead over the visiting Terrebonne Tigers and victory assured, the Wildcats got to play a little bit with some no-look passes, behind-the-back passes and a couple of off-the-key attempts that had the small but enthusiastic crowd roaring and the Wildcats’ bench jumping.

East St. John went on to take a 61-34 victory in the final game of the first round of District 7-5A play. The Wildcats (13-7, 5-1) finished the round with one district loss to Destrehan. The team will begin round two Tuesday at home against Central Lafourche.

East St. John coach Stasha Thomas-James said those final minutes of the game were fun to watch, but she was most proud of her team’s overall effort.

“We played really good,” Thomas-James said. “We focused a lot — a lot — on fundamentals and the things we will need to do in the playoffs.”

Kynedi Poullard and Nakendria Wilson led the scoring with 14 points each, and eight different players contributed.

The Wildcats’ big lead allowed Thomas-James to give some of her younger players some time on the court.

“One of my players who doesn’t get a lot of time, Kristen Cases, came in and scored eight points,” Thomas-James said.

West St. John

On the other side of the river, West St. John was enjoying its homecoming — but not the kind with flowers and floats. Until Tuesday, the Lady Rams had played their last 17 games on the road. The last time they played at home was in their season-opener Nov. 16.

On Tuesday, the Lady Rams (12-7, 2-0) hosted Country Day in a District 12-2A game and took a 52-28 win. Maya Trench led the scoring with 19 points. Jaquana Hunter scored 12, Lakendra Lewis scored 10.

“The girls were excited to play at home,” Rams coach Lester Smith said. “It was nice to be in our own gym other than practice. But they’ve gotten accustomed to playing on the road. They’re used to it.”

On the road or at home, the Rams are playing solid basketball, Smith said.

“We’re playing really good defense right now,” he said.

The Lady Rams will travel to Riverside Academy Tuesday.

The Lady Rebels’ basketball game against Curtis, scheduled for Tuesday night, was canceled.

St. Charles Catholic

St. Charles Catholic also won big on Tuesday, taking a 43-34 victory over St. Mary’s in District 12-2A play. Lela Hill led the scoring with 15 points. Caroline Julian scored 14. The Lady Comets improved to 14-7, 1-1 with the win.