February 2, 2005

Eugene scores 27 in loss to Ellender

Shanna Richard chips in 21 points, but Lady Patriots remain undefeated

By Eric LeBlanc
Sports Editor
(Photo by ERIC LEBLANC)

The Destrehan Lady Cats have come close to winning the district the past few years, but it was always East St. John that stood in their way. This year, the Lady Cats have a different obstacle: the Ellender Lady Patriots. Ellender came into Friday night’s matchup with a perfect 12-0 district record and the championship in sight. The Lady Cats came in 9-2 and hungry for a shot at the title. The two teams fought hard all night, but Ellender came out victorious 68-65.

Amber Eugene led the Lady Cats with 27 points, two blocked shots and seven rebounds. Shanna Richard was also in double digits with 21 points and three steals.

Richard was the catalyst for the Lady Cats in the first quarter. The two teams came out shooting and both offenses were running at full steam. Richard sank eight of her 21 points in the first quarter to help lead Destrehan to an early 14-13 lead.

The two teams were evenly matched in the second quarter as well. Eugene led Destrehan with six points while the Lady Patriots kept pace. Ellender had a three-point lead with seconds left until Richard tossed up a half-court shot at the buzzer that went in and tied the score at 27.

The third quarter found the Lady Patriots edging out the Lady Cats by five points, winding up at 44-39 at the end of the quarter. Eugene scored nine points in the third, but the rest of the team only combined for three points.

The Lady Cats surged back in the fourth quarter. Richard and Eugene lit up the scoreboard with nine and eight points respectively and the Lady Cats outscored Ellender 26-24. But the third quarter deficit was too much to overcome.

Rounding out the Lady Cat scoring were Alicia Sentimore with seven points, Schamayne Moses with six points and five rebounds, Shunna Richard with two points and Sherri Taylor with two points as well.

With the loss, the Lady Cats fall to 9-3 in district and 19-7 overall. The Lady Cats will next host the East St. John Lady Wildcats on Friday at 6 p.m.

Eric LeBlanc can be reached at EricL@heraldguide.com or at (985) 758-2795, ext. 219.