Junior guard looks to become leader for Lady Mustangs

Tatum Tellin entered the 2014-2015 girls basketball season wanting to prove something.

She will begin 2015-2016 wanting to validate it. The Grapevine junior guard is transitioning into a leader.

Depending on the point of view, it could be happening this summer with her summer select team, Texas Fire. In reality, it probably started in February, when Grapevine’s season endured significant blows.

Both starting point guard Mandi Routon and backup Nicole Taake suffered torn ACLs and were lost for the remainder of the season. Head coach Lindy Lombard needed to create an emergency plan to help the season last as long as possible.

Tellin became part of that plan. She knew what Routon and Taake were going through. Tellin tore her right ACL in seventh grade and then her meniscus in eighth grade. Tellin (5-7) could not have reconstructive surgery until her growth plates had matured, she said. Experience breeds confidence. Tellin ended up earning District 6-5A co-newcomer of the year. She also led the team in rebounds with about 5.5 per game.

“I was taking the ball up the floor and it was a little nerve-wracking,” Tellin said. “But I knew Coach Lombard needed me to help lead the team. I wanted to do whatever I could.”

Grapevine’s season lasted until the Class 5A Region I quarterfinal round before Wichita Falls Rider ended it, 54-35. Grapevine finished the season at 32-3.

Building blocks for running the Lady Mustangs are there. Tellin is using the summer to become more of a dynamic scorer. Lombard has emphasized working on the mid-range jumper. That’s typically running between 12-15 feet.

Tellin is becoming more and more comfortable shooting pull-up jumpers from the free-throw line. During the summer, she’s also been coming off screens taking the same shot. But she’s going from elbow to elbow.

“Her ability to shoot a pull-up jumper off the dribble is very strong,” Lombard said. “The key is her belief in that ability. We will need her to take on the scorer’s role with confidence and take many more shots per game.”

The production is coming. With the team running 5-7 minute rotations, Tellin is averaging about seven points per game. There’s hope more opportunities will come in a demanding July schedule that will feature tournaments in Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans and Atlanta.

“That free throw line shot my target shot, and I think it’s coming naturally to me,” she said. “I’m taking a lot of shots every day. I’m confident because I feel like my defensive end is strong.

“We had a lot of scorers last year, so I understand that I have to step up. I’m good with that because I’m ready for the challenge.”

The next edition of the Lady Mustangs will look much different. Grapevine loses eight seniors from that district championship team. But the feeling of winning never dulls. Tellin wants this team to prepare to challenge for another playoff berth and a second consecutive district title. She’s already been named a team captain.

“I know we lost a lot of seniors but no one should think that we’re rebuilding,” Tellin said. “It’s not a devastating thing. We know we can do it. We’re just going to have to work a little bit harder to get there.”

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Junior guard looks to become leader for Lady Mustangs."