By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John couldn’t hold onto an early lead last Thursday, as it fell to host Plaquemine in the first round of the Plaquemine tournament, 48-44.

The Rams led 10-3 after a quarter, but Plaquemine (13-7) was able to close the gap and outscore West St. John 14-9 in the final quarter of play.

“We went cold in the second half,” West St. John Coach Antoine Edwards said. “We weren’t able to score like we should have down the stretch.”

Carday Barnes led the Rams (6-6) with 12 points. Dray Joseph added nine and Alton Joseph scored eight.

On Friday, West St. John fell again, this time to Albany by a 74-68 score.

Raynard Thomas led West St. John with 14 points. Dray Joseph scored 12, as did Alton Joseph. Jessie Silas scored 11.

Albany (9-11) built a 21-11 lead after a quarter, leaving the Rams to try and chip away at it.

“We adjusted to their man to man defense, and we were able to answer them somewhat, especially in the second quarter,” said Edwards. “We did a better job in the second half, but we ran out of gas.”

Foul trouble hurt the Rams, as the team wore down late after some players fouled out of the game, shortening the rotation of a team still trying to adjust after a late start to the season.

West St. John got into the win column on Saturday, though, as it won a nailbiter with Amite, 57-56.

A Barnes steal of an Amite (2-6) inbounds pass led to the winning score for the Rams with under a minute left.

“After that, we were able to consume some time and come away with it,” Edwards said.

Thomas and Alton Joseph each led the Rams with 17 points. Brandon Green added 12.

After a 0-3 start, West St. John is back at .500. The win over Amite led into the first of two inter-parish matchups – the Rams faced East St. John yesterday after press time, and will face St. Charles this Tuesday in a rematch of the final of the Riverside Holiday Classic.