By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – St. Charles got rolling in the second half Thursday night as it broke a halftime tie to defeat host West St. John, 48-40.

John Williams and Taylor Peytavin each scored 10 points to lead the Comets (7-6).

For the Rams (2-6), Jalen Adams led the way with 14. Steven Brignac added 10.

SCC has won four of its last six games.

The teams were tied at 20 after two quarters but the Comets took control in the third quarter, outscoring West St. John 15-10, then extending the lead in the fourth quarter.

“We just didn’t protect the ball,” said West St. John coach Antoine Edwards. “We didn’t come up with key baskets and St. Charles did. Those things really hurt us in the fourth quarter.”

Edwards said the turnovers came as a result of some bad decisions and miscommunication.

“People weren’t always where they should be. We just didn’t execute like we needed to in order to win the game,” said Edwards. “We’re a guard-oriented team without a lot of size. So taking care of the basketball is twice as important, really.”

Last Tuesday the Rams squared off with rival St. James. St. James took a double-digit advantage by halftime and rolled to a 66-51 win.

Juwan Green scored 14 to lead WSJ. Adams scored 12 and Lawrence Williams added 11.

For St. James, Owen Mumphrey led the way with a game-high 28. Travis Julien scored 15.

“They just jumped on us early on,” said Edwards. “We played poorly. Things improved in the second half but it wasn’t enough.”

Edwards’ teams typically start slow — coming off of football season — and finish strong. For that to happen this year, he said that his team must increase its commitment and begin playing together.

“We need to improve our team chemistry,” said Edwards. “Guys can’t miss workouts, guys have to be reliable. We’ve played a number of different lineups. We just need to come together as a team now and make a push.”