After three game skid, DHS enters playoffs on winning streak

Thelezia Folse

Destrehan sharpshooter Ryan Derbes attempts to find an open teammate during an earlier game against Dutchtown. The Wildcats finished fourth in their district and will travel to St. Thomas More on Friday in the first round of the state playoffs.

Destrehan finished in a fourth-place tie with Dutchtown in district 6-5A, but will still get the chance the make a run at the state championship after receiving the 19th seed in the state playoffs.

The Wildcats (23-10) had been on a slump as of late, dropping three tough games to Dutchtown, Hahnville and East St. John. But last week, the Wildcats ended district play on a high note after pulling out a pair of victories over East Ascension and St. Amant.

Against East Ascension, Destrehan stormed out to an 18-8 lead, but needed a 24-point fourth quarter to hold off a late East Ascension rally for the 59-52 victory.

B.J. Singleton led the Wildcats with 17 points, while Ryan Derbes added 14.

Two days later, Destrehan started just as strong against St. Amant, knocking down 19 first quarter points to jump out to a 10-point lead. St. Amant tried to get back into the game in the second by outscoring the Wildcats 11-9, and then held Destrehan to only six points in the third quarter.

But in the end, the Wildcats proved to be too much for the Gators to handle as they picked up a 57-45 victory.

"It was very important to get back on a positive note going into the playoffs," Destrehan head coach Todd Bourg said.

Those wins gave Destrehan a 6-4 district mark, which put them in a tie with Dutchtown for fourth place. But because the Wildcats played such a tough out of district schedule, they received the 19th seed in the playoffs.

Now, they will face off against 14th-seeded St. Thomas More this Friday in Lafayette at 7 p.m.