Zaria Green (3) of Westgate drives against Comeaux High on Thursday. -  Lee Ball / The Daily Iberian

The Westgate Lady Tigers are trying to learn from their mistakes as they look to replace several key players who graduated from the successful teams of the past couple of seasons.

Westgate didn’t make too many mistakes Thursday in claiming a 51-43 win over Comeaux in the second round of the WHS Lady Tiger Classic. Westgate went up by 10 points early in the second quarter and Comeaux got no closer than 4 points the rest of the way.

“We’re trying to grow up,” said Westgate coach Reggie Davis. “We’re trying to find our niche and grow up. Just getting a little more game experience. We’re seeing some of the same situations over and over and we’re getting a little bit better at recognizing where we’re supposed to fit in.”

Kadeisha Mitchell scored 8 straight points for Westgate to start the third quarter and had 10 of her team-leading 14 points in the period, helping push the Lady Tigers’ lead to 10 points after Comeaux had cut it to 27-23 on a basket by Abbie Guidry.Diamonique Curvin added 12 points for WHS and Shakira Deal had 11.

Davis said at times Comeaux outhustled his team. But the Lady Tigers (6-1) held on, outscoring CHS 6-4 in the final minute and a half after the Lady Spartans had pulled to within 45-39.

“We want to keep fighting and keep clawing and be competitive,” Davis said. “We try not to be outhustled and outworked.”

Daesha Nabers led Comeaux with 14 points. Ashley Buras had 9 and Guidry 8.

In earlier games Thursday, Central Catholic beat Franklin 41-29 and Abbeville held off Opelousas 49-41.

On Wednesday, New Iberia beat Loreauville, Comeaux beat West St. Mary 48-32 and Westgate beat Patterson 51-20.

Today, Patterson plays West St. Mary at 5 p.m. and Opelousas plays Loreauville at 5:30 in the consolation bracket; Abbeville plays New Iberia at 6:30 p.m. in the championship bracket; and McKinley plays Ursuline at 7 p.m. in the final opening-round game.

Saturday games are scheduled at 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. (fifth-place game), 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. (consolation finals), 5:30 p.m. (third-place game) and 7 p.m. (championship).

Central Catholic 41, Franklin 29

In Thursday’s first game, Central Catholic outscored Franklin 20-0 in the first quarter to take control early.

Meo Knight hit 10 of 12 free throws and finished with 18 points to lead the Lady Eagles. Randi Brown added 12 points.

Fabian Small had 15 points to lead Franklin. Quanta Jones had 6 and Faith Lyons 5.

Comeaux 48, West St. Mary 32

On Wednesday, Comeaux slowly pulled away, outscoring WSM 11-, 14-, 14- and 6- in individual quarters.

Aisha Chretchain had 12 points, Ashley Barras had 11, Destiny Harris added 10 and Abbie Guidry had 8.

Amber Joe had 13 points for the Lady Wolves. Alexis Cross had 9, all but 2 coming at the free throw line.

Westgate 51, Patterson 20

Also on Wednesday, Westgate held Patterson to 4 points in the first three quarters combined, including a shutout in the first period, to beat the Lumberjills.

Westgate led 16-0 after one quarter and 31-2 at halftime.

Diamonique Curvin led the Lady Tigers with 13 points, including two 3-point buckets. Alexis Charles had 8 and Brittany Nathan had 7.

Nakia Brooks led PHS with 8 points. Jazmin Evans had 6. 

The ’Jills missed all six of their free throw attempts, all in the first quarter.