By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

RESERVE – East St. John’s LadyCat basketball squad nearly overcame a slow second quarter in their first round 5A playoff game Thursday night, but Airline’s Lady Vikings managed to hold off a fierce rally to end ESJ’s post-season hopes on their home court for the second year in a row.

The second half went in the LadyCat’s favor as they outscored their opponent 30-22. They started the third quarter on the latter side of a 43-36 deficit, but senior Kiera Jones spurred the ESJ offense with three consecutive baskets in the period.

Going into the fourth down by seven, the LadyCats ate into the lead giving themselves a chance and a three pointer by Michelle Thomas tied the game with under five minutes left to play. But Airline answered back with a free throw and continued to do so, finishing it off from the line and taking a 53-49 win.

In the quarter, ESJ made every attempt to make a push, with each starter contributing a basket, and Thomas also had another three, as Airline’s defense forced ESJ to keep the ball in motion.

&#8220I told them they didn’t have anything to hang their heads about,” said LadyCat head coach Troy Giordano. &#8220They should be proud of the year they had. It was that first half. They did a great job in the second half. There just wasn’t a sense of urgency in the first half. We took the shots, we just weren’t hitting them.”

It was that slow start that doomed the LadyCats, specifically the second quarter. Michel’le Thomas opened it up quickly with nine of ESJ’s 15 points in the period, good for a five point lead about midway through the quarter. But Airline adjusted to the pace and took it into the second with a 15-12 score. From there, East St. John got stagnant on offense after an early basket and a pair of free throws, going scoreless for more than half of the

period. That brought it into the break with a 32-19 Lady Viking lead.

Last year was much the same story as the two squads met in the bi-district round, on the same court, with the same result. Airline took a 48-43 win their as a wildcard team and made it all the way to the state championship where they lost to district rival Southwood.

It was especially hard on the three LadyCat seniors who played their last game for East St. John. Jones, Crystal Fleming and Keyona Nelson

&#8220These girls have won a lot of games while they’ve been here,” said ESJ athletice director Larry Dauterive. &#8220They’ve earned a lot of respect too.”