In Sandalwood’s storied history in the Gateway conference, the Saints have boasted some great girls basketball teams with some outstanding girls basketball players over the years. There was guard Tierney Rock (2003) who led the city in scoring. Guard Jasmine Tyler (2002) who was described by Ribault legend Dorian Williams as “the best I’ve seen play there”. There was the hard working Kristin Rainbolt (1999),the ultimate teammate April Scayles, or “the truth” Monica Williams. So many players, and so much blood sweat and tears left on the hardwood. Yet as good as a Latoya Lungford, a Jennifer Philo, a Tonya Joyce, a Porsha Shaw, or a Nahkia Robinson were, what eluded every Sandalwood player and team before and after them was a Gateway Conference Championship. Well in 2018, forty seven years since the school first opened, the Sandalwood Saints can now say they are the girls basketball gateway conference champions. They defeated Raines 70-59 in the Gateway Conference Tournament to improve to 15-1 on the season, and remain undefeated in the city.
The 2017-2018 Saints are a unique group of young ladies. Led by Head Coach Pat Clark, this team has both young fire power and veteran leadership. Seniors Maria Torres (G) and Lauran Alvarez (PF) are excellent leaders on the court. Torres is poised with the ball in her hand, able to distribute the rock to teammates and make the right decisions on the floor. Alvarez has the perfect mix of rebounding and shot making skills, she is cool under pressure for the Saints.
Having senior leadership in the starting lineup is an important asset on the court, especially for Coach Clark who expects excellence in their execution. Having a team of talented play makers doesn’t make his job easy, as Clark is determined to keep his young team focused on the ultimate goal which is a state championship. A state championship is a real possibility for the Saints, due in large part to their young stars. Junior guard Auriyah Stewart would be the first option on most teams but on this team she is number three. Yet she has been one of the Saint’s best shooters and defenders this year. Her sharp shooting accuracy and suffocating defense is one of the main reasons Sandalwood is so effective in running the court. The Saints like to run with their young guns who provide incredible range and explosiveness on fast breaks. Sophomores Amari Wright and Caitlin McGee are dynamic on both sides of the ball. 
McGee dominates the middle blocking shots and securing rebounds, while Wright intercepts passes and attacks the basket. In their half court offense, when McGee gets the ball in the low post its a wrap. She has incredible post presence with several low post moves at her disposal. She leads the Saints with 15.7 PPG and 10.8 RPG. Wright is second on the team averaging 13.6 PPG. She is arguably the most versatile player in Northeast Florida, able to lock down opponents on defense, and blow by defenders on offense. It’s not every year you have a player that’s selected to try out for the USA U16 National Basketball team. In Wright and McGee, Sandalwood has two. Said Coach Clark of his two sophomore sensations, “they have a tremendous approach to the game. They love to win and compete”. The Lady Saints are well respected and loved by their peers, just as the players that came before them. The school and alumni have a lot to be proud of with them, as they attempt to sweep the city. Their only losses have come to Spruce Creek and Fernandina Beach. With a 16-2 record, Sandalwood closes their regular season at home versus Bolles, where they’ll celebrate their seniors and their Gateway Conference title. Then they turn their attention towards the District 9A-1 tournament, where their quest to win a state championship begins.
2017-2018 Sandalwood Girls Basketball Roster
Maxpreps
| 4 | Hayleigh Thompson | F, C | Sr. | 5-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Maria Torres | PG | Sr. | 5-5 | |
| 10 | Avyalona Williams | SG | So. | 5-1 | |
| 11 | Shelcy Hodge | F | Sr. | 5-7 | |
| 12 | Auriyah Stewart | SG, W | Jr. | 5-4 | |
| 20 | Nadya Matthews | W, SG | So. | 5-7 | |
| 21 | Lauran Alvarez | PF, SF | Sr. | 5-9 | |
| 22 | Amari Wright | PG, SG | So. | 5-7 | |
| 23 | Sashea Pinckney | P | Sr. | 5-8 | |
| 24 | Mackenzie Conaway | F, C | Sr. | 5-8 | |
| 30 | Taylor Bass | PF, SF | Sr. | 5-9 | |
| 30 | Taylor Bass | SF | Sr. | ||
| 30 | Katie Sexton | SG | Sr. | ||
| 32 | Caitlin Mcgee | P, W | So. | 6-1 |
