TABC Preseason Polls Released
Sandiettes, Sandies, Bulldogs in Top 10
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
EAST TEXAS – The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches released its preseason polls for both the 2019-2020 basketball season earlier this week and they show a few area teams with some fairly high rankings.
Starting with the girls, the TABC has the Sandiettes ranked third behind the Martin’s Mill Lady Mustangs and the Panhandle Pantherettes. Coming in at number four is the Mason Cowgirls’ team.
These four teams met in San Antonio at the state playoffs and it would not be a great surprise if all four were back in the Alamo City during the first weekend in March.
The Lady Mustangs lost two All-State backcourt players to graduation in Taylor Sparks and Mollie Daniel, but return All-State Forward Abbie Orrick and the 2019 Championship Game MVP Jada Celsur.
The Pantherettes lost three to graduation including All-State guard Lainey Choate and forward Bree Baker but they return 5’10” All-State guard Mason Jones.
Jones
The Sandiettes only lost two players to graduation. Granted those two players – All-State guard Hannah Chipman and defensive/three-point specialist Ragan Bowie – will be tough to replace.
However, the Sandiettes still have arguably the best player in girls’ Class 2A coming back in Teira Jones. Jones will be joined by teammates Tatiyana Bowie, KeKe Harris and Kenya Woods who all started for Grapeland last year.
Also expected to make major contributions to the team are: JaMiyah Bowie; Aerianna Granderson; Christi Shepherd and Tori Woodford.
The Cowgirls lost four to graduation including All-State seniors Presley Anastus and Ruby Magnus. They also lose Peyton Anastas but return All-State forward McKenzie Cano.
Other area teams ranked in the top 25 include: #12 Woden; #19 Douglass; #22 Centerville; and #24 Kerens.
Moving to the boys’ rankings, despite losing six players to graduation, the Grapeland Sandies come in at #7 in the TABC Preseason rankings. They return: Keizion Ashford; Deco Bryant; BJ Lamb and Cadarian Wiley.
The Sandies, however, are expecting major contributions from incoming freshmen and junior varsity players who have moved up to varsity this year.
Ahead of the Sandies in the preseason Rankings are: #1 Shelbyville; #2 Gruver; #3 Martin’s Mill; #4 Hearne; #5 Tenaha; and #6 Muenster.
Over the last three years, Grapeland, Shelbyville and Tenaha have all made it to the Regional Tournament with a variety of other teams joining them. Look for the same big three to be back in Bryan for this year’s Regional Tournament and if the Sandies can get some point production in the first half of the Regional Championship, don’t be surprised if the Sandies follow the Sandiettes to San Antonio.
Other area teams ranked in the preseason top 25 include: #21 San Augustine; #23 Dallardsville Big Sandy; and #25 Slocum.
Moving to Class 3A, watch out for the Crockett Bulldog. The TABC has them ranked at #6 to start the season and that might be low. The Bulldogs lost one player to graduation. Granted, that was All-Region player AJ Owens, but they return everyone else including Ty White and All-State center Allen Horace.
The Dawgs made it to the Regional Finals last year where they lost by eight to a senior-laden, East Chambers squad. Don’t look for that to happen again.
Ahead of Crockett in the rankings are: #1 Dallas Madison; #2 Brock; #3 Cole; #4 East Chambers; and #5 Randolph.
In Class 4A, the Palestine Wildcats are ranked #15 in the TABC preseason poll.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
