By RYAN ARENA

L’Observatejur

RESERVE – With three quarters in the books, it looked like it was going to be another typical finish to an East St. John-Hahnville basketball clash.

But as the Wildcats have done now throughout the entirety of the first half of its district season, they finished strong – stronger, actually, than its opposition.

East St. John secured a 51-41 District 6-5A win over the archrival Tigers Wednesday night, maintaining its undefeated district record and remaining alone atop its standings.

The game was rescheduled from Tuesday night because of weather issues.

Joseph Williams scored 15 to lead East St. John (14-12, 5-0). Elex Carter scored nine and Patrick Washington added eight.

Jaylen Bryant and Derek Howard led the way for Hahnville (11-7, 1-3), each scoring 12 points. William Becnel scored nine.

Hahnville led 30-28 after three quarters, but it didn’t take long for East St. John to establish a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Marcus Robinson tied the game up right off the bat with a score to begin the quarter. A short time later, Williams canned a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Wildcats ahead 33-30.

Bryant answered at the other end with a jumper to pull Hahnville back within one. But then East St. John began calling on its big man – the 6-foot-6 Carter got established down low for consecutive buckets, helping ESJ maintain a 37-34 lead.

With 4:47 left in play, a potential tying Bryant 3-pointer rimmed out and momentum seemed to shift from there almost totally to the home team. Jalen Kenner canned a jumper from the top of the key, then Williams converted a layup with 4:07 left and suddenly, ESJ led by seven, 41-34.

After a defensive stop, the Wildcats were able to kill over a minute of gametime before Robinson slashed into the lane for a score to make it 43-34.

“We started pressing them,” said Jasmine. “We knew going in that they’re not really an outside shooting team so we tried to get into a zone. But we’re not really a zone defensive team. That’s not how my guys want to play. We got into our game and things worked out for us.”

Becnel swished a 3-pointer with 2:26 left to make it 43-37, but Chester Victor Jr. answered on a drive to push the lead back to eight.

Hahnville never got closer than six the rest of the way as Carter and Williams combined to shoot 4-for-5 from the foul line to close the win out.

“We spread them out offensively and locked down on defense,” said Carter of his team’s fourth quarter push. “We came out to win tonight … In our locker room, we’re all brothers. We play together. And we want to win a state championship.”

Said Williams: “Playing all those tough predistrict games taught us how to finish. We know what we have to do to pull out these games.”

Carter made numerous defensive plays on the night, including at least two thunderous blocked shots. Jasmine said that it’s been a pleasure watching his sophomore big man grow before his eyes.

“I can’t say enough about him,” said Jasmine. “He’s growing up. He’s only a sophomore, but I feel like he jumps a grade every time I watch him play. He’s developing into a defensive force and he gets better every game.”

Jasmine also echoed Williams’ thoughts on the team’s rough and tumble predistrict.

“You play St. Augustine, Ehret, the No. 2 team in California, Brother Martin … all teams that will go deep into the playoffs.

“It forces you to grow up in a hurry.”