It likely didn't surprise District 6-5A girls basketball followers that when last week concluded Grapevine (15-13) and Euless Trinity were tied for fourth place. They were 5-4.
The Lady Mustangs began their gauntlet stretch by playing Irving MacArthur on Jan. 15, a 56-37 loss. They then met Hurst L.D. Bell on Tuesday and play at GCISD-rival Colleyville Heritage on Friday. A win over Irving Nimitz has been sandwiched between those games.This challenging part doesn't do anyone any favors. Trinity entertained Colleyville Heritage on Tuesday and plays Friday at MacArthur."I thought the team played MacArthur better than we did the first time we played them," Grapevine coach Steve Ganninger said. "Defensively, we did better. There were some little lapses that hurt us. We had a bad stretch in the third quarter. But overall, I was really excited."It may seem like 100 years ago when Grapevine played L.D. Bell and Colleyville Heritage the first time. Well, that's because those games were played in December.The 65-39 blowout loss to Bell arguably is the most disappointing of the season, because the Lady Mustangs were never in that game. The 50-44 setback to the Lady Panthers clearly showed a game that got away. Grapevine held a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter before losing by six, 50-44.In each of those games, Bell and Colleyville Heritage went on runs that changed the momentum of the game. Grapevine never recovered.Since then, Ganninger has pointed to where his team can overcome. In the win over Nimitz, the Lady Mustangs overcame a 10-2 deficit after the first quarter."We were actually down 7-0 to start and that's when a lot of negatives can happen," Ganninger said. "But our girls have shown some toughness and know how to push through. We're a different team."As daunting as a week like this one can be, Ganninger loves his team's mindset."They want to knock off the big dogs," he said. "They want those challenges. It's not like, 'Oh, now we have to play them.' This group is hungry and really wants it. They want to go toe-to-toe."On guardWhen Ganninger switched his guard roles in December, he knew he needed to make sure each player was comfortable.Mandi Routon changed from the point to the shooting guard, while Nicole Taake moved to the point. While Ganninger is pleased to this point, Taake's offensive production has dropped off. That's a product of her fighting through a slump and taking fewer shots.However, she did have six steals in the win over Irving Nimitz. Ganninger likes how her defense has improved.Colleyville Heritage updateThe Lady Panthers (20-10, 8-1 in 6-5A) fell back into a first-place tie with Irving MacArthur following a tough 50-48 loss to L.D. Bell. The Lady Panthers couldn't hold a 40-36 lead going into the fourth quarter.Colleyville Heritage played at Euless Trinity on Tuesday and plays host to rival Grapevine on Friday. The Lady Panthers likely would clinch their ninth playoff berth in the last 11 seasons with a pair of wins.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
