Lady Trojans drop crucial league games

Going into the final week of the season, the Lady Trojans were sitting somewhere around the 23rd seed in the unofficial Class 1A power ratings. Coach Stephanie Fontenot was proud of her team, which starts a lot of youngsters and still managed to get themselves into a good position to make the playoffs. Getting two finals wins would have really benefited the Lady Trojans. They hosted Pointe Coupee Central and then went on the road to meet the St. Edmund’s Lady Blue Jays.
Against the Lady Cougars of PCC, the low-scoring game started out in the visitor’s favor. They pressed early and kept the home team from getting a lot of momentum going. Heather Johnson ripped the net for three points, but that was about all of the momentum they would get going. The Lady Cougars went up 12-6 after the first period. They were on top, but SHHS would not let up.
In the second period, Johnson popped another three-point shot. Moments later, the Lady Trojans got a trio of shots from Courtney Cloud, Natalie Earles and Hannah Lemoine. This allowed the home team to swing the momentum their way briefly. They out-scored PCC 9-6 in the period and made it an 18-15 contest at the mid-way point.
Sacred Heart came out on fire in the third period. They out-scored PCC 15-8 as Heather Fontenot turned the heat up on offense and defense. She hit three shots in the frame and ended the night with seven points. Catherine Poche also popped off a pair of shots in the frame, as the Lady Trojans took a 30-26 lead. Sacred Heart was impressive as they showed their resiliency and determination to get the win.
In the final period, the wheels fell off of the wagon. Sacred Heart suddenly couldn’t buy a shot and the Lady Cougars were nailing their shots. They put up 17 points in the period, more than they had put up all game long in one frame. Sacred Heart struggled and managed only six points. The Lady Cougars began to force SHHS to shoot long-distance shots at the end of the period. That did not work out so well.
Sacred Heart fell to PCC 45-36. The low-scoring game was a blow to the power point standings, but a win against St. Ed’s would make a big difference for the local girls.
To win in Eunice against the Lady Blue Jays would be tough. However, no one knew it would be as tough as it turned out.
The Lady Blue Jays were waiting with their teeth sharpened. They put up 21 points in the first period and took advantage of several SHHS miscues. Everything seemed to be going in the direction of the Eunice girls. Sacred Heart put up just six points in the frame.
Going into the second period, SHHS was trying to weather the storm and get themselves back in position to make a comeback. St. Ed’s had other ideas. They managed to out-score the Lady Trojans again, 15-8, and kept the lead going into the locker room. Sacred Heart was getting strong play from Gabbie Andrepont who put up six points in the half.
Being down 36-14, Sacred Heart was a long way from the win. They needed momentum, points and to get a few crucial calls to go their way. In the third period, they put up 11 points and held SEH to only seven points. Heather Johnson, hit a pair of three-point shots and hit a jumper as well. She ended the game with 11 points. Earles later hit a three-point shot. The surge helped the Lady Trojans cut into the lead of the SEH girls and make it a 43-31 ball game going into the final period.
Sacred Heart made a run in the final frame. They scored 16 points, but St. Ed’s fired back with 11 points. Sacred Heart’s effort would not go unnoticed, as the Lady Blue Jays were gassed. Sacred Heart did not catch up, but did all they could to let SEH know they were in a fight.
Sacred Heart fell 54-47 and moves to 11-14 and 5-5 in district play. Playoff brackets are expected to be released sometime this week.