By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

EDGARD – West St. John scored a pair of victories last week, decisively beating district foe St. John-Plaquemine, 71-44 and downing non-district opponent Algiers Tech 59-36.

Against St. John, Morell Bartholomew led the way for WSJ with 23 points. Amire Oubre scored 14 and Trevon Borne added 12.

Da’Jon Taylor led the way against Algiers with 17 points. Bartholomew scored 16. Oubre added eight.

West St. John has won three consecutive games and five of its last six after starting 0-8. WSJ had a late start to its season due to the football team’s semifinal postseason run, and is now starting to round into form,WSJ coach LaVanta Davis said.

“We’re starting to get our legs under us,” Davis said. “The more games you play, the better you get. We’re getting more comfortable within our structure and guys are getting a feel for their roles. Once guys gel like that, you only keep improving.”

After a breakout season as a junior, Bartholomew has upped his play even more as a senior. The forward is the Rams’ leading scorer this season and has been establishing himself down low for the Rams.

“He’s been really consistent,” Davis said. “He’s sacrificed some of the things he can do on the perimeter because he’s our one true interior scorer. He’s been playing extremely well.”

The Rams have found balance behind Bartholomew in the scoring column, something Davis said is by design. WSJ focuses on the defensive end, and offensively, matchups dictate where much of the scoring comes from.

The challenge for West St. John now comes in terms of scheduling: four of WSJ’s final five games will be on the road. With a 4-1 mark in District 8-1A, the Rams are in the heat of a district title race.

“Playing on the road, we’ve got to come out with a lot of intensity early in games,” Davis said. “You’ve got to set an early tone.”