BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

RESERVE-Major League Baseball teams in contention pick up players at the trading deadline for the stretch run to try and put them over the top.

East St. John picked up one heck of a player for their playoff run.

With the return of Ryan Perrilloux for good, the Wildcats defeated Ellender 61-47 Mardi Gras night.

Perrilloux led the Wildcats with 15 points. Ricardo Porter also had a solid night with 14 points and guard Willie Lago added nine.

With the win the Wildcats improve to 25-8 on the season and 10-4 in district 6-5A action. After taking on H.L. Bourgeois on the road last night, the Wildcats conclude the regular season next Friday when they welcome South Lafourche for senior night at 6 p.m.

A close game for three quarters; the deeper, more talented East St. John squad pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats outscored Ellender 31-17 in the game’s final quarter to come away with the victory.

East St. John head coach Charles Julian said his team was lucky to come away with the victory.

“Ellender just didn’t have a very good record,” Julian said. “They played hard. We just came out a little flat. I don’t know if Mardi Gras had a negative effect on us or what. It seemed to take its toll on us. Ellender really came out and played us hard. We just had to fight in the end to come away with the victory.”

I just think that the better talented team ended up winning the game. I don’t think that we played exceptionally well, but we still won the game so I am satisfied.”

Julian said having Perrilloux gone for so many games was also a distraction for his team this season.

“In my opinion we have not been playing well,” Julian said. “We have been winning the games, but we have not been playing well. Having Ryan gone a lot of the time is a distraction. The only thing that I can do is try to get us ready for the playoffs and hopefully we do well.”

However, the return of Perrilloux is vital to his team’s playoff chances.

“It’s extremely important,” Julian said. “He’s arguably the best player in the district. He’s a match-up problem for everybody. 6-3 kid, big strong body who can go outside and go inside. He’s the X factor.

“To be honest, our team will go as far as he can carry us in terms of when opposing teams double and triple team him, he’s got to make that extra pass. He can do so many things. He draws so much attention.”

Julian said his team is very deep and that depth could end up winning games late.

“Ricardo Porter might be the best shooter in the state,” Julian said. “Ryan is the big X factor because he is such a tremendous athlete. He can get you those high percentage shots. Then you through in Willie Lago who is one of the best guards in the district. That’s a dangerous team.”