Terrence Wiltz of Westgate (20) pulls down a rebound against West St. Mary’s Imajee Connor (30) on Tuesday night. Westgate jumped out to a 26-1 lead on the way to an 89-47 win. - Chris Landry / The Daily Iberian

Westgate High School boys’ head basketball coach Oliver Winston wasn’t thrilled with his team’s effort in an 87-68 loss to Northside on Saturday.

The Tigers came out and played with intensity Tuesday night against West St. Mary, jumping out to a 26-1 lead in the first 4 1/2 minutes on the way to an easy 89-47 home win.

Winston credited the hot start to being at home — it was Westgate’s second home game in its first 21 outings — and hard work at practice, and just coming out and playing hard.

“We just have not been consistent. We have not come out with intensity,” said Winston. “After the embarrassment Saturday, we came back with intensity.”

The Tigers hit four first-quarter 3-pointers, three from Brandon Malveaux, and also went 10-for-13 from the foul line in the opening period, and the game was essentially over by midway through the first quarter. Westgate led 36-7 after one period and 62-18 at halftime, and running time was used in the second half.

“We had a little discipline problem, and we had to sit some people,” said West St. Mary coach Donald Sanders. “We have to play with discipline. We’ll be all right.”

Malveaux finished with 18 points, all in the first half, and four 3-pointers to lead the Tigers.

Deion Thomas added 16 first-half points, half in each quarter, with three 3-pointers.

Frederick Joseph added 9 first-half points and Terrance Wiltz had 8 points, also in the first half.

“We’ve been wanting to do that every night,” said Joseph of the Tigers’ fast start. “Being on the home court (was a boost). We wanted to turn it around, end our losing streak. We’ve been working hard in practice.”

West St. Mary finally got some offensive production starting in the second quarter with 13 points, though they couldn’t slow down the Westgate offensive express as WHS tacked on 27 points in the period.

Westgate hit 11 shots from beyond the 3-point line, eight in the first half, and also went 6-for-6 from the foul line after being fouled on 3-point tries.

“We ran transition,” said Winston of his team’s 3-point barrage. “We got to our spots. When we can get to our spots, we get the opportunity for open shots. We were shooting uncontested (3-point) shots.”

Jerald Hawkins, who had 6 of his team’s 20 first-half points, finished with 10 points for the Wolfpack. Aldonis Sterling scored 10 of his team-high 13 points in the second half for WSM, including a pair of 3-point baskets, while Imajee Connor had 12 points, 8 in the second half.

WHS substituted heavily in the second half, with Marcellus Thibodeaux scoring 9 of his 12 points after halftime. Jonte’ Hypolite scored 8 points and Davrion Williams had 7.

The Tigers (13-8, with five of those games played in a tournament in Texas so not counting toward LHSAA power points) play host to Franklin on Friday in another non-district game.

“That will be a big game,” said Winston. “We’re hoping for good support.”

“We’ve got to come out the same way,” said Joseph. “Work hard in practice every day and play together.”

Westgate 50, Carencro 41

In a girls’ District 4-5A game, Westgate jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead before putting it in cruise control the second half.

WHS led 16-7 after one quarter and 29-12 at halftime but was outscored 29-21 in the second half.

“We scored early, but we went on cruise control,” said WHS coach Reggie Davis. “We’re not playing mature basketball.”

LaVasha Allen scored 14 points, Lisa Keovongxay had 12, Diamonique Curvin added 10 and Dakaida Mitchell scored 8 for the Lady Tigers.

“I’m pleased with the win,” said Davis.

Misha Mouton had 17 points and Ashley Ceasar scored 11 for Carencro.

Westgate plays New Iberia at 1:30 p.m. Friday in a district game.