Saint Jo
The Saint Jo Lady Panthers secured their second straight district title with a win at Bellevue on Friday night.
The Lady Panthers beat the Lady Eagles 64-44 in a game that was not as close as the first time these teams matched up.
Saint Jo came into the game undefeated in district, but knew Bellevue was tough after narrowly winning the first match up by two points. With the Lady Eagles only district loss coming from that game and the regular season ending this week, Friday’s game was the last chance for Bellevue to possibly get a share of the district title.
The Lady Panthers came out firing to start the game. Payzlie Cervantes scored 18 of her team’s 24 points in the first quarter as Saint Jo took control and never let go, up 24-11.
The Lady Panthers’ offense cooled off in the second quarter, but defensively was still bothering a Bellevue team that just could not get any breathing room against Saint Jo’s constant physical pressure. The Lady Panthers led 33-18 at halftime.
Saint Jo started to use its size advantage it had in the post more in the second half to try and wear the Lady Eagles out while also getting some better offense since the Lady Panthers were cold from the 3-point line after the first quarter.
While Bellevue got some things going offensively in the second half, it was not enough to make up the double-digit lead Saint Jo had been playing with all game.
The Lady Panthers won easily 64-44.
Cervantes led the team with 23 points and five steals. Aubrey Morman was second with 15 points while dishing out a team high six assists. Taylor Patrick grabbed a team high eight rebounds to go with eight points.

Bellevue
The Bellevue Lady Eagles had an up and down week, going 1-1 against Forestburg and Saint Jo and losing out on a chance at the district title.
The Lady Eagles beat the Lady Horns in a close game 41-37, but did not play well against the Lady Panthers 64-44.
Bellevue entered last week sitting in second place in district, with its only loss coming against Saint Jo in the first round of district play.
The Lady Eagles had dominated Forestburg the first time the two teams played, but this game was different on Jan. 28.
The Lady Horns were ready to better handle the Lady Eagles’ aggressive press defense which limited the transition opportunities for Bellevue.
The Lady Eagles had the lead for all of the game, but could not shake a Forestburg team that would not go away.
Bellevue led 12-8 after the first quarter, 20-15 at halftime and 35-29 after the third quarter. The Lady Eagles were able to hang on to win by two baskets, 41-37.
Mattie Broussard led the team with 12 points while Brittany Gill was second with nine points.
That led into Friday’s game against Saint Jo. Bellevue let a prime opportunity to win in the first game slip away, leading by 10 points at one point in that game and controlling the fast pace for most of it before the Lady Panthers stole the two-point victory in the final minute.
Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles, they would be playing catchup for most of the game. Saint Jo jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes and led 24-11 after the first quarter.
Bellevue just could not close the distance no matter what it did. A slower paced second quarter saw both teams struggle scoring as the Lady Eagles trailed 33-18 at halftime.
Bellevue scored better in both quarters in the second half, but could not slow down Saint Jo enough to make up the double-digit deficit. The Lady Panthers won 64-44.
Mattie Broussard led the team with 17 points while Mary Grace Broussard was second with nine points.

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For more pictures from the Bellevue vs Saint Jo game, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6872792&T=1