Sandstead has Prospect off to winning start

As an all-state guard at Buffalo Grove, Ashley Sandstead won a few games at the Jean Walker Field House in Mt. Prospect.

On Monday night, she won her first in that same gym as a head coach.

In her debut as the Prospect girls basketball coach, Sandstead’s Knights raced past visiting Libertyville 50-35.

“It was just our transition game,” Sandstead said. “We got out and were running. Very rarely did we set up in half-court offense.”

Helping lead the charge was 5-foot-5 senior point guard Adriane Falagario, who scored a game-high 15 points, including her team’s only 3-pointer.

“Adriane got us going offensively,” Sandstead said. “And Trisha Benson (5-10 junior with 10 points) was wonderful offensively and she played great team defense.”

Sophomore Taylor Will added 9 points while classmate Catherine Sherwood had 8 and senior Michele Molini 6.

“Sherwood and Trisha Benson were all over the boards,” Sandstead added. “And Taylor Will really mixed it up. Michele Molini helped keep them honest by getting good looks.

“Everyone was competing for each other. It was a real nice team win. It was nice to see everyone get in the game.”