Grapeland Advances to Regional Quarterfinals

Sandiettes Breeze by Lady Longhorns, 79-27

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

BUFFALO – The Grapeland Sandiettes punched their ticket to the Regional Quarterfinals with a convincing 79-27 win over the Axtell Lady Longhorns on Friday, Feb. 16. While the Sandiettes struggled from the field early on in their Bi-District win over the Italy Lady Gladiators – that was not the case against Axtell.

The Sandiettes’ Ragan Bowie drained a three the first time Grapeland had the ball. The Lady Horns, however, managed to keep Grapeland within striking distance until the five minute mark of the first quarter.

With 4:43 left to play in the first period and the score sitting at 8-6, the Sandiettes’ defense took over the game and allowed the offense to go on a 14-2 run to close out the quarter.

Teira Jones poured in eight points for Grapeland in the first eight minutes of play. Bowie knocked down another shot from behind the arc to give her six in the quarter. Kenya Woods added four while both Tatiyana Bowie and KeKe Harris dropped in two for the Sandiettes as they closed out the frame with a 22-8 lead.

Axtell’s first period points came on four from Kamryn Alejo along with two apiece from both Destiny Sanchez and Kaitlyn Stevenson.

As the second quarter commenced, Grapeland’s defense continued to frustrate Axtell with their relentless pressure and their ability to score points off of turnovers. R. Bowie continued to bomb away from three-point land as she hit her third trey of the game as part of her five points in the second period.  Harris added four, Hannah Chipman broke into the scoring column with three while a trio of Sandiettes – Jones, Woods and DeDe McKnight – all had two.

The Lady Horns were held to single digits once again in the second quarter. Stevenson had five for Axtell while Kathryn Reed had a basket to make the halftime score 40-15.

After the break, Grapeland put the game away as the Sandiettes scored 19 and held the Lady Horns to a single, two-point bucket from Sanchez.

The third quarter belonged to T. Bowie and Chipman who both scored eight in the period. They were joined in the scoring column by Harris who dropped in a three ball to make the score 59-17 with eight minutes remaining in the game.

With a 42-point lead, Grapeland Head Coach Anthony DeCello was able to give some of his less experienced players some quality minutes in the fourth quarter. T. Bowie and Aerianna Granderson both had five, Chipman and McKnight both had four while Woods closed out the game with two and helped give Grapeland the 79-28 win.

The Lady Horns were led by Stevenson with eight while Reagan Moore had two and Courtney Stephens had one to close out the Axtell scoring.

For the game, the Lady Horns were led by Kaitlyn Stevenson with 15 points. Kamryn Alejo and Destiny Sanchez both had four while Reagan Moore and Kathryn Reed both had two. Courtney Stephens made one of two from the line to round out the Axtell point production.

The Sandiettes were led in scoring by Tatiyana Bowie and Hannah Chipman with 15 apiece. Ragan Bowie dropped in 11, Teira Jones powered her way inside for 10, KeKe Harris went for nine and Kenya Woods had eight. DeDe McKnight added six while Aerianna Granderson went for five.

The win moves he Sandiettes into the Regional Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Feb. 20 against the La Poynor Lady Flyers. The game is scheduled to be played at the Rusk High School gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

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