Freshman Michelle Thomas leads ESJ in scoring

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

MANDEVILLE-East St. John’s women’s basketball program took four victories this week to open their season as they faced St. Joseph’s away on Monday and traveled to Mandeville for a tournament, defeating Fountainbleau, Mandeville and Hammond.

In the season opener, the Lady Wildcats headed to Baton Rouge on Monday for a match where they allowed only seven points in the second to open up the game.

Solid defense kept St. Joseph’s at bay while Michelle Thomas posted 16 points in her first high school competition. Stacha Thomas added 16 while Crystal Fleming recorded nine on their way to a 60-41 victory.

ESJ went right back to work on Tuesday when they took a road trip to the Northshore for the Mandeville Tournament. Up first, the Lady Wildcats faced Fountainbleau whom they dominated throughout.

A defensive effort in the second quarter frustrated scoring for Fountainbleau, who sank only one field goal in the entire period. By the end of the third, ESJ racked up a 24-point lead and coasted to a 55-30 win. Michelle Thomas and Fleming led all scorers, each with 18.

After the win against Fountainbleau, East St. John took on the host team Mandeville. Here the Lady Wildcats again jumped out to a quick lead, 26-16 in the first, which they maintained throughout for a 62-51 victory.

Michelle Thomas and Fleming again led in scoring with 24 and 13 respectively. They were joined in double digits by Keyona Nelson who posted ten.

The final game of the tournament, which was a round robin bracket, matched up ESJ and Hammond. In this game, the Lady Wildcats pounced early, building up a ten-point lead by halftime.

An efficient third quarter put the ladies in a commanding position, which they sat on despite a small rally by Hammond to finish up with a 50-41 final.

The Lady Wildcats will return to action on Monday for the Hoopfest Tournament.