Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

DALLARDSVILLE – It’s been nearly a year, but the starting five on the Grapeland Sandies haven’t forgotten the last time they faced the Big Sandy Wildcats. They were embarrassed and demoralized as the Wildcats hammered the Sandies by a final score of 73-41 in the Regional Semifinals.

It’s a different story this year, however. The UIL in its infinite wisdom moved Big Sandy into a district made up of Centerville, Grapeland, Groveton, Latexo and Lovelady. The Wildcats graduated the majority of their roster from the 2015-2016 State Semifinals run, but still came into the game ranked #21.

The Sandies, meanwhile, came into Tuesday night’s game ranked #15 in the latest TABC poll and looked to extract a measure of vengeance.

The two teams were tied at the top of the District 20-2A and the winner of the game would have the inside track towards the district championship as league play approached the midpoint.

During the 2016 game, the Sandies were ice cold from the floor while the Wildcats seemingly couldn’t miss.

As mentioned earlier though, it’s a different year and a different story was written in Dallardsville on Jan. 24 as the Sandies managed to glean a small degree of retribution as they defeated the Wildcats – on their home court – by a final score of 64-49.

Grapeland opened the game by showcasing its hardnosed defense as they held Big Sandy to nine first quarter points. The Sandies were able to take advantage of the Wildcats’ offensive struggles, put up 19 and took a 10 point lead into the second quarter.

As the second period got underway, the Sandies’ pressure defense kept the Wildcats at bay and only allowed Big Sandy to put up six in the quarter.

Despite the Wildcats’ offensive struggles, the Big Sandy defense began to tighten its grip on the Grapeland ball handlers and held the Sandies to 13 in the quarter.

Still, the Sandies had to be pleased to head into halftime with a 32-15 lead. But, as the second half got underway, the Wildcats showed their ranking wasn’t a joke as they whittled a 17 point deficit down to four before ending the third period trailing by only six, 41-35.

Grapeland had seen this movie before when the two teams met in Leon last year. The Wildcats get hot, the Sandies fold. They didn’t like the way that film ended – or their season for that matter – in 2016 so the Sandies rewrote the script and gave it a different ending.

In the 2017 version, the Sandies didn’t crumble. They re-grouped between quarters and came out firing. Grapeland poured in 23 fourth quarter points and held Big Sandy to 14 as the Sandies left Dallardsville with a 64-49 win.

The victory gives the Sandies sole possession of first place in District 20-2A, with a 4-0 record. Big Sandy is second in the district, with a record of 3-1. Centerville and Lovelady are tied for third with 2-2 records, while Groveton is fifth at 1-3 and Latexo is sixth.

The Sandies were led by Tink McQuirter who scored 22 points and pulled down 15 (3 O 12 D) rebounds. Parker Wilson dropped in 18 and dished out seven assists. Riley Chipman netted 13 points, Tyrin Wiley had seven and both Rick Frauenberger and Kamari Smith chipped in two.

The Wildcats were led in scoring by Jackson Mayer and Aaron Thompson with 13 apiece. Samuel Richard had nine, Isaiah Thompson knocked down eight and Britton Dickens went for six to close out the Big Sandie scoring.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].