Vineyarders take a bite out of Sandwich

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The Vineyard varsity basketball teams travelled to nearby Sandwich Tuesday and returned to Vineyard Haven victorious as the high school hardwood season tipped off.

The girls came from behind to down the Blue Knights 57-50, but the boys struggled and won by a single point, 60-59, courtesy of an Izak Browne put-back with 2.5 seconds left on the clock.

The girls took to the court first. The Vineyarders trailed 33-28 at halftime and closed the gap to one point entering the fourth quarter. The visitors seized the game in the final period, outscoring Sandwich 15-7, to claim the spoils.

Jenny Lindland scored 21 points to lead a balanced Vineyard attack. Katie Stewart (13 points), Kendall Robinson (12), and Maggie Riseborough (11) also reached double figures.

The Islanders’ up tempo play also created ample opportunities at the free throw line, where MV knocked down 20 of 28 attempts.

The win came as welcome relief after a tough opening night 58-26 loss to Sabis International Charter School in Springfield, last Saturday.

The girls will host Sandwich in their home opener, this Saturday at 4:30 pm.

As the Vineyard girls came back to gain a win in Sandwich, the boys almost let one get away.

MV squandered a 10-point halftime lead and found themselves in arrears heading into the final minute.

In the dying seconds, a Peter Keaney shot failed to drop but Izak Browne tipped in the rebound to beat the buzzer and save the day.

Browne finished with 14 points for the game. Jack Roberts added 14 more. Del Araujo scored 11 points and hauled down six boards. Peter Keaney chipped in seven points.

MV also drained five three-pointers, three from Roberts, and one each from Browne and Araujo.

The boys (1-0) will open the home schedule against the same Blue Knights, Saturday at 6 pm.