Jaedyn Dickerson and Harmony Howard each scored 21 points to pace Destrehan as it scored an impressive 68-48 victory over rival Hahnville in Boutte.
Le’Jean Williams added 11 and Ka’Mi Johnson eight for the Wildcats, who were ranked 7th in Division I non-select power points entering this week.
A’Kjha Kenner scored 15 and J’Kasia Bourgeois and Paige Friloux each scored 11 to lead Hahnville.
Destrehan (16-6, 2-0) began the game with a high level of defensive intensity, holding the Tigers without a point for nearly five minutes to start the night. A Dickerson 3 made it 10-1, then her steal and bucket made it a 14-1 lead for the Ladycats. Another steal and basket by Dickerson pushed the lead to 17-1 early in the second quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a tough environment on the road,” said Dickerson. “We knew we needed to keep pushing, keep pressing the ball, and that’s what we did. Keep pushing, fighting and playing, no matter what the score is.”
Said Destrehan head coach Twalla Powell, “That was the plan – intensity, from the start. That’s what the girls did. Everybody had to apply pressure. We created a lot of turnovers with it, we were able to get out on a few fast breaks, and that was a result of the intensity. Jaedyn set the tone for us.”
Bourgeois stopped what was a 12-0 Destrehan run with a basket with 6:33 to go in the first half. That ignited her game – she’d score seven in the second quarter to pull Hahnville within 10, 25-15.
But Destrehan quickly surged for six quick points to end the half and took a 31-15 lead into the break.
Kenner began to assert herself inside and kept Hahnville afloat, hauling in several offensive rebounds and putbacks, including one midway through the third that made it a 43-27 game.
Destrehan kept making plays. Dickerson scored on another drive to make it an 18-point game. A Williams 3-pointer from the corner just before the end of the period made it 53-29.
Hahnville (10-12, 0-2) made a fourth quarter push but could never get within single digits of the Wildcats.
“Our goal is to go somewhere, to make a run. We know what we need to do to get there – we’ve got to focus and keep pushing every game until we get there,” said Dickerson.
She said the rivalry always makes for a great atmosphere to play in.
“It was fun,” said Dickerson, the Wildcats’ point guard. “A lot of fans here. We wanted to play for them and play for ourselves.”
Said Powell, “The kids were locked in. We had a lot of support here tonight. I think we definitely fed off the energy (of the Destrehan fans in the crowd) at the beginning.”
Destrehan went on to score a 59-42 win at home over Thibodaux on Tuesday night in another District 8-5A battle.
Powell credited her team for pulling together this season after the significant loss of A’maya Armstrong, a returning All-District forward. In addition, the team was without forward Honesty Miller for much of the season – she recently returned and helped spur DHS to the win on Friday.
Dickinson’s breakout has been a difference-maker.
“She’s the general. She’s getting into the paint, passing the ball, finishing at the rim and applying pressure. What more could you ask for?” said Powell.
