By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — For the fifth consecutive season, West St. John has taken its district crown.

The Rams clinched that honor Tuesday night with a victory over White Castle, 51-46, behind Maya Trench’s game-high 17 points. 

Sydnei Young scored 12 and Jaquanna Hunter 10 for the Rams, who have now won 10 consecutive games and are undefeated in District 8-1A play. 

The Rams (22-4, 9-0) and Bulldogs (14-15, 6-3) played a similarly close contest on Feb. 1, WSJ taking a 52-48 decision in that one.

This time, the teams were tied at 38 headed into the fourth quarter, where the Rams outscored White Castle 13-8. 

“It was close throughout,” said West St. John coach Lester Smith. “We turned it on in the fourth and got out in front of them, and it forced them to foul us. We did a nice job making our free throws.”

Shyler O’Bear led White Castle with 16 points. Skyler O’Bear added 11. 

West St. John and White Castle were co-district champions back in 2009. Since then, the Rams have rattled off four straight outright district crowns. 

Over the last five seasons, West St. John has posted a record of 107-20 overall. 

“It’s been a good little run,” said Smith. 

On Friday night, the Rams bested St. John-Plaquemine (6-19, 0-8) 60-35. 

Trench again scored a game-high 17. Hunter added 12. 

The Rams led 31-17 at halftime.

West St. John was set to wrap up the regular season Friday night at home against Ascension Catholic, after press time.

Smith said that as the postseason approaches, improving consistency from the foul line will be critical. 

Defensively, however, the Rams are clicking.

“We’re playing really good defensively,” said Smith. “It’s been that way all season. We need to keep that up, and it’ll transition to our offense.”