By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

The Lady Wildcats are still undefeated in district play, but not without a close call against Ehret last Friday night.

East St. John went to 4-0 in 5-5A with a narrow 45-44 win, holding off a second half rally by the Lady Patriots. Michelle Thomas led scoring in the victory with a 17 point effort while Keyona Nelson added 13.

The game opened with a quick start for the ESJ squad in the road game, as the LadyCats pushed themselves into a 10-4 lead in the opening period of play. The Ehret offense came around in the second quarter to hold the ESJ advantage to seven going into halftime with a 24-17 score.

After the break, the home team began a push that held ESJ to nine points in the third quarter and the gap closed to three points, putting pressure on the LadyCats to make an adjustment. They got back on track in the closing period, matching Ehret’s offensive output through most of the quarter. The Lady ____ were able to pull within a possession, but couldn’t manage to get any closer as time ran out on them with the 45-44 final.

The win boosts ESJ’s girls team to 24-8 on the year and keeps them in a one game lead for the district race.