Grapeland Downs Celeste in Non-District Matchup, 61-44

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

LAPOYNOR – The Grapeland Sandies had an open date in their schedule on Friday, Jan. 25 so after searching high and low for a game, the Sandies found one against the Celeste Blue Devils.

The Sandies came into the contest, held at LaPoynor High School, with a 20-5 record and a #5 ranking in the Jan. 21 TABC poll while the Blue Devils were ranked #25 and sported a record of 18-3.

The game was evenly matched through the first half, but in the second half, Grapeland’s speed and tenacity on defense allowed the Sandies to pull away to pick up the 61-44 win.

The Sandies jumped ahead of the Blue Devils in the first quarter and led 17-13 after the initial eight minutes of play. Javion Joseph netted five for Grapeland while Keizion Ashford and Rick Frauenberger both scored four. Deco Bryant and Tyrin Wiley accounted for the other four points.

The Blue Devils were paced by Damon Crook with six points and Jalen Rector with five. Peyton Rogers converted two from the charity stripe to round out the Celeste first quarter scoring.

As the second quarter got underway, the Grapeland shooting cooled off, significantly. Ashford dropped in six, Joseph had four and Cadarian Wiley made one of two from the line to bring the Grapeland first-half scoring to a close.

The Sandies’ shooting woes allowed the Blue Devils to take a 29-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. Rector came alive in the second quarter with seven points while Isaiah Buckley netted four, Jace Givens knocked down a three and Rogers added two.

Trailing by one to start the third quarter, the Sandies clamped down on defense which resulted in a five point swing. Bryant poured in seven third quarter points while Frauenberger had four. Joseph drained a shot from behind the arc and C. Wiley added two as Grapeland reclaimed the lead by a score of 44-40.

The Celeste points came from Crook with four and Givens with a three-pointer. Rector hit two free throws and Rogers chipped in a bucket to help keep the Blue Devils in the game, with eight minutes left to play.

The Sandies were simply too much for the Blue Devils to handle in the fourth quarter as Celeste only managed four points on two from Buckley and two from Givens.

Meanwhile, Grapeland began to open it up in the final period of play. C. Wiley went for seven in the quarter while Ashford and Keriaun Davis had four apiece. T. Wiley added a basket as the Sandies pulled away from the Blue Devils to win the game by a final score of 61-44.

Celeste was led in scoring by Jalen Rector with 14 points. Damon Crook had 10 and Jace Givens netted eight. Both Isaiah Buckley and Peyton Rogers scored six apiece to close out the Blue Devils’ scoring.

Grapeland was led by Keizion Ashford with 14 points and Javion Joseph with 12. Cadarian Wiley dropped in 10 while Deco Bryant had nine and Rick Frauenberger put in eight. Rounding out the Grapeland point production, Keriaun Davis and Tyrin Wiley both had four.

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