Grapeland SANDIES
TAYLOR HONEA Sports Writer sports @ palestineherald . com
The Grapeland Sandies and Sandiette ’ s both found their way into the 2A playoffs , with the Sandiette ’ s finishing fourth in District 20-2A , and the boys winning their 16th straight district championship .
The Sandiette ’ s finished their season with a 12 – 15 overall record , and 4 – 6 within district play .
The season started slow for the young Grapeland Sandiette ’ s , winning just one of their first five games before turning on the jets in the back half of the season against tough district competition . District 20 – 2A has two of the best girls basketball programs in the state in Lovelady and Leon , and Grapeland found their way through the top competition to earn the playoff berth .
Grapeland ’ s season seemed to take a big swing in the right direction in mid-December , when the Sandiette ’ s knocked off the 4A Hudson Lady Hornets , 48 – 45 . Freshman guard Aliyah Tryon led the charge in the win , shooting 7-14 from the field , and posting a team high 19 points .
The Sandiette ’ s were composed mainly of freshmen this season . Grapeland fielded eight varsity players this season , six of whom were freshman . Senior captain Anna Cutshaw and junior Alayaha Hopkins were the only upperclassmen for the Sandiette ’ s .
The Sandiette ’ s drew a tough first round draw in the playoffs , and fell to eventual state champions Martins Mill in the bi-district championship . But , with a team loaded with young talent , Grapeland will be in contention for a district championship next season .
The Grapeland Sandies tradition of excellence continued this season , however , claiming the program ’ s 16th straight district championship .
Grapeland has long been a basketball power and this year ’ s squad was no different . The Sandies finished their season with an overall record of 26-11 , and secured a perfect 10 – 0 record in District 20-2A play . The closest contest for the Sandies in district play was a late January rumble with the Centerville Tigers , which Grapeland won , 59-53 .
The Sandies started the playoff against the Cayuga Wildcats , earning a 63-52 win over the Wildcats , and then defeated the Bremond Tigers in the area championship , 62-41 . The Sandies would then have a showdown with the top-ranked Martins Mill Mustangs , and after putting up a good fight , the Sandies would fall to the Mustangs , 36-25 .
Of the 10 varsity Sandie basketball players , six were named in the District 20-2A honors . Grapeland will be returning all but one member of this year ’ s team for the 2024-25 season , with Laden Whitt being the lone Sandie graduating this season . The Sandies should be early favorites to win their 17th straight district championship , especially with the return of All-Region post Ricky Gilmore and district Defensive MVP Sean Walker .
14 SPRING EDITION 2024