By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

ST. GABRIEL — West St. John continued to make school history Thursday, extending the program’s best ever start to a mark of 13-2 with a 56-52 District 8-1A win over East Iberville.

The win also extended West St. John’s longest-ever winning streak to nine games.

Jaylyn Gordon scored 30 to lead West St. John (13-2, 2-0). JuJuan Nicholas scored eight and Jasmine Young added seven.

Despite torrid shooting from the Tigers, the Rams were able to lead throughout after making a quick 7-0 run to begin the game. East Iberville cut WSJ’s lead to two at the end of a quarter, but the Rams never relinquished the lead — though it would never grow to more than seven.

“It was back and forth all night,” said West St. John coach Lester Smith. “They were playing at home and played real well. A couple of shots that wouldn’t fall for us went down for them. They must have shot about 70-percent.

“But we made some free throws and kept them at bay for the most part.”

Smith said Gordon took advantage of constant man-to-man defense to find openings.

“She came free a few times,” said Smith.

But while the Rams seem to be building on its most accomplished season ever a year ago — the Lady Rams captured a district title and won a playoff game, both firsts for the program — Smith said his players aren’t getting full of themselves.

“They take it in stride,” said Smith. “Like it isn’t anything big. They just want to play the next one.”