Sharp-shooting freshman helps Grapevine girls return to playoffs

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

EULESS -- A year ago, Grapevine's three-year playoff run ended.

Tuesday night, the Mustangs made sure they wouldn't be watching from the bleachers this year as they took control early and coasted to a 53-32 victory over Euless Trinity.

Leading the return to the postseason was a player who wasn't even on the roster a year ago. Freshman Abby Sandy made six of the Mustangs' eight 3-pointers to finish with a game-high 23 points.

"I'm confident in my shot and have been working really hard in practice," Sandy said. "I just felt it tonight, and I give my teammates a lot of credit for getting me the ball and believing in me."

Grapevine (18-15, 8-6 District 6-5A) will meet Flower Mound or Flower Mound Marcus on Monday or Tuesday in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

"The past three games we knew we had to have them and played really tight, so tonight it was great to see us come out and play loose," Grapevine coach Steve Ganniger said.

Trinity had a 15-16 record for the second straight season and missed the playoffs for the third time in coach Sue Cannon's 27-year career. The Trojans, 6-8 in district, needed to beat Grapevine to force a one-game playoff.

Trinity struggled in the first half, going 4 for 25 from the field and trailing 29-13 at halftime. Te'Ana Washington scored 10 of the Trojans' first-half points and finished with a team-high 16.

Trailing 34-25, the Trojans had a chance to cut the lead to as little as six, but three missed shots followed by a three-point play by the Mustangs' Madyson Broussard turned the tide. Grapevine's lead didn't dip below 10 points the rest of the way.

The only time the Mustangs trailed was 2-0 to start the game. They forced 25 turnovers.

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