By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE —  East St. John fell for the second time this season Tuesday night at Walker,, but bounced back Wednesday night in its first home game of the season to topple Lutcher.

The Ladycats ran out to an early lead against the Bulldogs and were never challenged in a 55-34 victory at Leon Godchaux Jr. High.

Da’Rae Taylor scored 22 points to lead the way for East St. John. Jermani Thompson added 10 more for the Wildcats, who improved to 11-2 on the season.

“Da’Rae is our two guard, but she and Jermani are really both point guards,” said coach Jackson  Manuel. “She‘s been a playmaker for us. And both she and Jermani have been pesky defenders all season. They can really aggravate other guards.”

That was the case Tuesday night, as the Wildcats thrived off of their defense, forcing numerous Lutcher turnovers.

The team’s loss to Walker, conversely, saw the Ladycats overcome a slow offensive start to shift momentum in the third quarter, before a 16-4 fourth quarter surge from Walker sealed a 47-33 victory.

Nya Duhe led ESJ with 22 points..

East St. John bounced back from its first loss of the season last week to win the Central Lafourche tournament over the weekend, besting the host Tarpons in the championship game, 45-34.

Nya Duhe scored 12 points to lead East St. John in the final, while Jermani Thompson added 10. Da’Rae Taylor scored nine.

The Ladycats jumped out to an early lead and established control in the first quarter, outscoring Central Lafourche 17-9 in the frame. It improved its lead with a stout defensive performance in the second, holding the Tarpons to three points to take a 27-12 lead into the half.

“We did a good job pressuring them and making them work,” said East St. John coach Jackson Manuel. “On this level, if you make a team work long enough, usually only the really, really polished teams can consistently do it without turning it over or making mistakes.

The Wildcats edged Fontainebleau in the semifinal, 39-38.

ESJ (8-1) led 10-4 after the first quarter, but Fontainebleau fought their way back. The Wildcats led by seven in the fourth quarter and held off a late rally to secure the win.

“We got a little sloppy at the end,” said Manuel. “We settled down when we needed to and made some free throws.

Taylor led the way for ESJ, scoring 17 points.

“I thought the tournament was a good experience overall. We played some solid teams and held our own,” said Manuel..