By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

In a battle of River Parish teams, Lutcher was able to edge out West St. John on Monday for a 55-50 overtime victory in a non-district game in Edgard.

“We played poorly in the second half, and overtime,” said West St. John Coach Antoine Edwards. “We just consistently turned it over, especially in overtime. Too many costly turnovers.”

Reginald Jackson led Lutcher with 17 points.

West St. John (3-3) had a chance to win the game in regulation as the Rams had possession with less than 10 seconds left, and the score all tied up. But Donald Brown’s shot wouldn’t go, and the teams would lock up for five extra minutes.

“Donald had a good look. It just didn’t go down,” said Edwards.

In overtime, the Rams’ offense bogged down as the Bulldogs turned up their defensive intensity. Lutcher was able to string together points that came off of some WSJ turnovers.

“We just couldn’t find a way to score,” said Edwards. “We did too many things to hurt ourselves.”

Kaliff Gastrael led the Rams with 15 points. Alton Joseph scored 13. Dray Joseph scored 10, and Terrance Nathan added eight.

Lutcher led by five at halftime, 31-26.

Each team is still in the process of building chemistry, as each boasts rosters laden with players just reporting from football season — Lutcher, in fact, had its full roster intact for the first time on Monday, after it’s championship win this past weekend in football.

For Edwards, he’s had his players for a couple of weeks now. But he says that there’s still work to be done.

“We’ve got to improve our perimeter game,” he said. “We’ve been able to attack people down low, but we aren’t making our outside shots, especially down the stretch of games.”

He praised the play of Joseph thus far, as his 6’6 senior center has provided a consistent presence underneath.

“He’s probably played the best basketball so far,” Edwards says. “He’s been doing the job inside.”

DONALDSONVILLE 58, WEST ST. JOHN 53 — The Rams opened up play at the St. James tournament Wednesday with a loss to Donaldsonville, knocking WSJ out of contention for the tournament’s title.

Joseph scored 21 and Gastrael added 14.

The Rams led 31-27 at halftime.