Sanders resilient for Spartans

LOWELL – When St. Mary?s senior Sharell Sanders hopped off the court in obvious pain during the third quarter of Saturday?s Division 3 North Final with Winthrop at Tsongas Center, the game?s outcome was still very much up in the air.The mere thought of potentially ending her high school career with a loss and a limp didn?t sit well with the feisty fourth-year, whose gutsy performance the rest of the way helped propel her team to the state semifinals on Tuesday at TD Garden.The injury occurred at the 5:26 mark after a missed free throw from teammate Brianna Rudolph. A contingent of players went up for the rebound, which ultimately found its way back to the initial shooter, who finished the putback.That?s when Sanders exited the pile and skipped gingerly, and immediately, to a nearby seat on the St. Mary?s bench while favoring her left ankle.?I actually tripped over my own foot while going for the ball,” explained the gritty 5-1 guard. “It turned inward when I landed.”While it?s true that the Spartans were in the midst of a 9-0 run that stretched their lead to a comfortable 12 points, the consensus decision was made that Sanders be allowed back in as soon as possible.?I knew that I couldn?t stay out very long because I am the go-to defender,” said Sanders. “My team needed me out there pressuring the ball or at least trying my best to.”To that point, the defensive specialist had succeeded in keeping Winthrop dynamo Ashelyne Babb in check. Through 21 minutes, the Vikings captain could only muster a single point … and that was on a free throw.?When it was determined fairly quickly that she?d be OK enough to come back in, she was ready,” explained St. Mary?s coach Jeff Newhall. “She?s probably the best guard defender in the state, so her at 70 percent is still pretty good.”Babb greeted her defender?s return with five quick points to cut the lead to 39-32 and force the Spartans into a timeout.Newhall acknowledged just how challenging not just Sanders? assignment was, but the entire team?s approach given the circumstances.?Babb is a very good point guard and a tough matchup,” he said. “With Sharell hobbling, she was able to take an advantage for a bit. It made us change our defense and back up into the backcourt a little more than we usually do.”Sanders would respond, however, fighting her way to the foul line with 40.9 seconds left in the third quarter, where she netted the last of her 10 points before holding Babb to five points in the final quarter.Meanwhile, fellow seniors Rudolph and Jennie Mucciarone combined for 13 of the Spartans? 19 second-half points to eke out a victory after Winthrop?s Niki Tsiotos? half-court launch at the horn missed its mark.Sanders acknowledged the play of her fellow fourth-years, which allowed her to focus on her trying task.?It?s a great feeling to know your teammate will work twice as hard when you?re hurting,” said Sanders. “Jennie hit a couple of big shots for us down the stretch and Brianna provides so much for us on both ends.”What went through Sanders? mind when the final shot went up??My eyes kind of lit up and I was just praying that it didn?t go in,” she reflected. “When it missed, I was so relieved.”