Carey Sauer Newport Year: Sophomore Sport: Basketball Position: Guard/ Wing

Colfax’s choke hold on Newport loosened because of 1 second and one Carey Sauer left-handed shot.

The best estimates from Newport observers are that the Grizzlies hadn’t swept a league series from Colfax’s girls in a generation.

Colfax appeared ready to continue the streak during Friday’s Northeast A League home game. Newport trailed 48-47 with 3 seconds left when Heidi Frandrup passed to Sauer inside. Sauer, a right-hander, hit a left-handed basket at the buzzer.

“(Sauer’s) done more post-up things this year,” said Newport coach Mike Frederick, whose Grizzlies beat Colfax 65-60 in mid-January. “I think that’s a sign of maturity and growth.”

Frederick means mental growth. At 6-foot-1, the 15-year-old is as tall as every NEA player except Deer Park’s Jennifer O’Brien (6-3).

Sauer’s father, Larry, the Grizzlies’ junior varsity coach, stands 6-5. Sister Rose, 13, is 5-9 and just starting to spurt. The sisters could play together on varsity in two years.

“Mr. Frederick keeps telling my parents that he wants more,” Sauer said.

Sauer is approaching 400 points this season.

“There are a few things we need to work on,” Sauer said of her team. “If we do that, we could be scary.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo