By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The West St. John backcourt has led quite the charge for the past few seasons, the Rams racking up district crowns — unbeaten ones, at that — long winning streaks and deep Class 1A state playoff runs. 

For much of that time, Rams’ guard Jaylyn Gordon led that supercharged collection of guards. After her graduation in 2013, her cousin Maya Trench stepped into those shoes. And she wore them well. 

Trench is L’Observateur’s selection as St. John the Baptist Parish’s Most Valuable Player in girls basketball for the 2013-14 season, leading the way for our All Parish squad.

Trench averaged more than 17 points per game to lead the Rams while also leading the team in assists and steals. She’s joined on the team by her coach, St. John Parish Coach of the Year Lester Smith. West St. John won 13 straight games during one stretch this season, again went undefeated in District 8-1A and reached the state quarterfinals. It is the third consecutive Coach of the Year honor for Smith. 

Junior shooting guard JuJuan Nicholas and freshman forward Jaquanna Hunter also each represent West St. John on this year’s squad, forming a potent trifecta with Trench. 

Riverside earned two representatives on the team in senior point guard Channan Simmons and sophomore shooting guard Toni Hebert. Those two players helped lead the Rebels to a 19-13 record this season and a trip to the regional round of the Class 2A playoffs.

East St. John junior guard Da’Rae Taylor and junior forward Kannisha Brooks each earn spots this season after both were major contributors to the Wildcats, offering scoring, rebounding and playmaking.

Rounding out the roster is St. Charles Catholic senior Julia Cupit, who led a young Comets squad in scoring this season.