FAYETTE — The Wilkinson County Lady Wildcats went into the 2010 Jefferson County Holiday Tournament with a 2-11 record — one of the worst, if not the worst, record of any participating team.

But after Wilkinson County dismantled the East Feliciana (La.) Lady Eagles 82-18 on Thursday afternoon, the Lady Wildcats won all three of their games and ended up winning the girls’ championship.

“It was team ball. Our team chemistry worked. We realized that we have what it takes to be a great ball club,” Lady Wildcats head coach Trimeka Gaines said. “Our defense was great again. We used a lot of defenses. They played solid defense for four quarters.”

One of Wilkinson County’s players who stepped up her play during the tournament was Lastencia Brown. Not only has she directed the offense, but her scoring has gone up as well. And that was the case against East Feliciana as she scored 14 points — one of four Lady Wildcats players to score in double figures.

“I want to give credit to our point guard, Lastencia Brown, who’s a great lead, along with our front four,” Gaines said. “Sometimes I get to talking and don’t think. It takes a lot to get the ball down the floor.”

Tyesha Harris led Wilkinson County with a game-high 26 points. Lineasia Palmer added 17 points and Breshianna Day also scored 14 points.

The Lady Wildcats had their way with the Lady Eagles on both ends of the court from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Their defense didn’t allow the Lady Eagles from Jackson, La., to take many easy or open shots and it showed in the amount of points East Feliciana scored in each quarter — four, four, four and six.

Tyrea White led East Feliciana with 11 points, but only two other teammates found the scoring column.

On the flip side, the fewest points Wilkinson County scored in any quarter was 16 in the second quarter. By halftime, the Lady Wildcats had a 33-8 lead and didn’t let up one bit in the second half.

As for going 3-0 in the tournament, Gaines said, “We realized that we had to come together. We worked together and talked amongst each other to see what combinations worked. It’s a good way to go into district with good enthusiasm and teamwork and chemistry among each other.”

Wilkinson County (5-11) resumes Region 7-3A action at Jefferson County next Tuesday at 6 p.m.

East Feliciana (La.) boys 50, Wilkinson County 43

FAYETTE — Thocorence Hawkins led all scorers with 24 points and made some big shots down the stretch as the East Feliciana Eagles past Wilkinson County Thursday afternoon at the Jefferson County Holiday Tournament.

East Feliciana was up just one point, 35-34, at the end of the third quarter. But the Eagles outscored the Wildcats 15-9 in the fourth quarter to pick up the victory.

“Hawkins made some clutch shots. They did an outstanding job of making open shots,” Wildcats head coach Ronald Hines said. “Both teams played really well. Hawkins is a D-1 player. We couldn’t get those stops.”

Two costly turnovers by Wilkinson County in the fourth quarter turned out to be critical. East Feliciana made back-to-back 3-pointers gave the Eagles a nine-point lead and the Wildcats were never able to recover.

Tekemian Ceasar added 12 points for East Feliciana. While Lakeithrick Montgomery led Wilkinson County (5-11) with 14 points, the Eagles’ defense held Kenyon McDonald, one of the Wildcats’ leading scorers, to just four points.

“They did a good job defensively. They’re a pretty good basketball team,” Hines said.

Wilkinson County plays at Jefferson County in Region 7-3A play next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.