Sandwich v. Barnstable: A Gourdine Sandwich

Tuesday evening, I spent watching two of Cape Cod’s most exciting teams. Sandwich High hosted Barnstable High, which ended in a tough 10 point road win for Barnstable. Sandwich was down 4 after the third quarter, but Barnstable kicked up the defensive intensity in the final frame, holding Sandwich to 8 total points. The final score was 58-48.   Player of the Game: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-383804" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/02/2A330B26-CA0B-483B-B7B1-28D2D7CFAF24-scaled-crop-1916x1258-1643896855-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="183947" first="Olivia" last="Gourdine"] - Barnstable - 5’9’’ - SG - ’22 Gourdine was unstoppable during Barnstable’s road win Tuesday night. She started feeling it in the second quarter and overpowered Sandwich defenders when attacking the rim. Gourdine’s strength and power when driving led to endless attempts at the free-throw line. Gourdine finished with a game-high 25 points, and most of the baskets came in the paint, highlighted by some impressive finishes at the rim. As usual, Gourdine put in work on the glass, finishing 1 rebound shy of a double-double, and was the clear driving force to a big Barnstable win.   Barnstable Standouts: <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-383801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/USRQdBZ2SYuqoD2pSRAYGA-scaled-crop-1389x912-1643896780-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="281442" first="Chloe" last="Egan"] - 5’9’’ - PG - ’25 Egan had an excellent 4th quarter in which she showed how well-rounded her game is. Egan’s size and length at the PG were a problem for Sandwich. She didn’t have any trouble getting past the first line of defense or finishing over the forwards in the paint. I thought Egan did a good job rebounding and igniting the fast break with deadly accurate passes up the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id="302481" first="Molly" last="Gleason"] - 5’8’’ - SG - ’25 Gleason is a name to watch not just for the rest of this winter but also for the spring and summer. She is a great shooter who can make shots off the catch and dribble. What was most impressive was her three-point range. Gleason had the confidence to pull threes from well beyond the line, and 6 of her 12 points came from the perimeter.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-383800" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/bbc1kODMQKemCpO52DQ2qQ-scaled-crop-1245x818-1643896740-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="279201" first="Tianna" last="Fernandez"] - 5’10 - PF - ’22 Sandwich couldn’t keep Fernandez off the offensive glass all night. I did not keep track, but it felt like she had double figures in offensive boards. Fernandez did a good job getting inside position and holding her ground in the paint. Fernandez securing second and third scoring chances for Barnstable led to her living at the free-throw line.   Sandwich Standouts: [player_tooltip player_id="383809" first="Madison" last="Lawrence"] - 6’0’’ - PF - ’25 Lawrence is an impressive freshman I got to see for the first time. She has good size and athleticism at the power forward position, and most importantly, her hand-eye coordination is solid. Lawrence was reliable in pick and roll sets and got a handful of her team-leading 12 points that way. Where Lawrence is going to make a name for herself is on defense. It isn’t just the rim protection and shot-blocking ability but more the defensive IQ that will separate her from most raw athletes in the ’25 class. I thought she read the Barnstable offense well and was in the right spot at the right time to slow down the penetration from the opposing guards.   [player_tooltip player_id="383813" first="Sierra" last="Brigham"] - 5’8’’ - CG - ’22 Brigham’s game is flashy and very effective. She gave Sandwich a go-to scoring option on the wing and was the best player on the team who could create their own offense. The lefty had a couple of eye-popping shots off the dribble, one three in particular where she sold the defender with a beautiful head fake before nailing a cold-blooded deep three. I like Brigham’s overall swagger and game presence. She has a high motor and competes as hard as anyone.   [player_tooltip player_id="383812" first="Grace" last="Cohen"] - 5’7’’ - SG - ’22 Cohen had 8 points, and all of them came at the free-throw line, which speaks to how aggressive she was all game. Cohen had a good feel for the game, and I thought she was Sandwich’s best decision-maker. She saw the floor well and made strong and accurate entry passes to whoever was sealing on the block. Cohen is a glue player whose skill set meshes well with all her teammates.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-383799" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/563DB945-D436-4E2D-8057-2E019BAC3D03-crop-1216x798-1643896694-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="303564" first="Aubrie" last="Schwager"] - 5’4’’ - PG - ’25 Schwager is a max effort and energy player who is a crafty finisher at the rim. She impressed me on a few of her drives, showing the skill and body control to not only hit shots but knock them down while absorbing contact. What was most impressive about Schwager Tuesday night was her pick and roll passing. The chemistry she built with [player_tooltip player_id="383809" first="Madison" last="Lawrence"] was apparent, and they were on the same page all night long.