Lady Jays open playoffs Monday vs. South Cameron

Last year, head coach Ashley Ray led the Lady Jays to the playoffs and No. 29 St. Edmund gave fourth-seed Central Catholic of Morgan City all they could handle before falling, 2-1 in the bi-district round.
In her second season at the helm, the Lady Jays have earned a home game in the opening round of the playoffs set to begin on Monday.
The Lady Jays improved their standing this week with wins over 2-A Opelousas Catholic (3-1) and 1-A Vermilion Catholic (7-1) to finish the regular with a 11-8 overall record.
No. 13 St. Edmund will take on No. 20 South Cameron (9-9) at 5 p.m. on Monday at Lady Jay Field.
“We are playing well at the right time,” Ray said. “We are peaking when we need to peak.
“We are excited to have made the playoffs again,” the coach said. “It is even better to be playing at home because we haven’t done that in a few years.”
The last time St. Edmund opened the playoffs at home was in 2009 when the No. 10 Lady Jays beat No. 23 Block 10-1 before losing to No. 7 Archbishop Hannan 3-2.
In 2011, the No. 17 Lady Jays upset No. 16 Merryville 4-1 in the regional round before losing to top-ranked False River Academy 11-5.
No. 21 St. Edmund stunned No. 12 Cedar Creek 18-2 in the opening round in 2010 before falling to Delcambre 11-0.
In 2008, No. 15 St. Edmund beat No. 18 Country Day 7-1 before falling to second-seed Cedar Creek, 9-1.
“This is a great group of seniors,” Ray said of Maddie Andrus, Constance Fontenot, Jada Fontenot and Margaret Vidrine.
“They all bring something different to the team, but we needed all of them as leaders.
“Maddie is a vocal leader, while Constance is pretty quiet but she plays hard as does Jada.
“Margaret has been hurt all season but she encourages everyone and makes them laugh.
The Lady Tarpons finished third in District 4-1A behind Grand Lake and Merryville.
South Cameron grabbed wins over East Beauregard, 2-A Lake Arthur, Hamilton Christian, 2-A Bunkie, 3-A Erath and Oberlin,.