Sandiettes Pass Tough District Test against Lady Lions

Grapeland Defeats Lovelady, 56-41

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – The Grapeland Sandiettes took another step towards defending their District 20-AA title in basketball with a 56-41 win over the Lovelady Lady Lions on Tuesday night, Jan. 30.

In an earlier match-up this season, the Sandiettes needed a last-second, desperation three-pointer to send the game into OT where they eventually won by a score of 57-55. This time around, it was much easier for Grapeland as they jumped out to an early lead and were never really threatened.

The Sandiettes opened the game with a 9-0 run before the Lady Lions were able to bounce back to close out the first quarter down by six. Tatiyanna Bowie dropped in five for Grapeland in the opening eight minutes. Teira Jones added four to go along with three apiece from Ragan Bowie and Hannah Chipman.

The Lady Lions saw a trio of players Kaiden LeMaire, Jala Rollo and Skye Watts – all with three – which made the score 15-9 at the end of one.

As the second quarter got underway, Grapeland began to pull away, thanks in large part to the team’s defense. The Sandiettes held the Lady Lions to eight second quarter points a pair of free throws from LeMaire to go along with twos from Watts, Brittani Gambill and Sarah Thompson.

Jones led the way for the Sandiettes with seven, while T. Bowie had four and R. Bowie knocked down her second three of the game to make the halftime score 29-17.

After the break, the Lady Lions came out with a renewed intensity and cut the lead to six, midway through the third quarter. Watts dropped in six, LeMaire added five while both Hannah Burleson and Brittany Gambill had two.

The Sandiettes were paced by Jones with six, Chipman with a three and T. Bowie with a two from the post.

With the score 40-32 as the game entered the fourth quarter, and given the history of play between the two schools, fans on both sides of Sandie Gymnasium expected to see a Lovelady comeback.

It was not meant to be, however, as the young Sandiettes maintained their poise and pulled away to win by a final score of 56-41.

For the game, Lovelady was led in scoring by Skye Watts with 13 and Kaiden LeMaire with 12. Heather Elliott ropped in five and Jala Rollo knocked down a three. The reminder of points came from Hannah Burleson, Brittani Gambill. Madelyn James and Sarah Thompson – all with two.

The Sandiettes were led by Teira Jones with a game-high 23 points. Tatiyanna Bowie and Hannah Chipman both had 11 while Ragan Bowie added seven. KeKe Harris and Kenya Woods closed out the scoring with two apiece.

The win moves the Sandiettes to 8-0 in district play with only two games remaining before the playoffs. Grapeland squared off against the Latexo Lady Tigers on Friday, Feb. 2 but the score was not available as of press time. The Sandiettes will close out district play on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in Centerville against the Lady Tigers.

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