The season is only five games in for Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s girls basketball team, but it looks like it’s going to be another good season for the Irish.
It would be tough to beat last season when the Irish were state runners-up after losing to Pittsford in the Class D state title game. They were trying to get their second state title in the last three seasons.
Coach Damon Brown’s team has started out 5-0. The Irish scored wins over Vestaburg (60-10), Morley Stanwood (57-36), Carson City-Crystal (23-17), Coleman (52-36) and Beal City (62-17).
“We have kind of a veteran group back from last year, of course we lost Averi Gamble, who was the Class D player of the year (and is now at Central Michigan University), we have to fill that hole,” Brown said. “The others have stepped up their game. I didn’t think we would be undefeated at this point. But the girls have worked hard and we’re getting to a different speed and tempo that they’ve played in the past. The girls have embraced that and have had success so far.”
Top players for the Irish have included Scout Nelson and Sophia Ruggles, returning all-state players who have “upped” their game, according to their coach. They’ve both been averaging close to 16 points a game.
“They both are playing really well right now, high-level basketball,” Brown said.
Ruggles scored 31 against Beal City.
“Our goal is to control the tempo on both ends of the floor,” Brown said. “If we can disrupt teams on what they want to do on the offensive game, they puts us in the position to be successful defensively. The girls have done a great job on putting defensive pressure on teams with full-court and half-court and has made it difficult for teams.”
Returning players Hadyn Terwilliger, Megan Nowak and Grace Reetz have also been putting in impressive performances.
Brown expects to face key challenges the first week in January when the Irish have home games against Clare (4-2) and Merrill (5-1). Later in January there’s a test against Saginaw Nouvel.
“We have to focus on getting better today,” Brown said. “We only have eight players on varsity so it requires everyone to step up and do their part.”
Boys basketball
Sacred Heart’s boys basketball team is hoping for a strong January after enduring a 1-3 record in December. The Irish defeated Coleman 57-35 but lost to Carson City Crystal 57-50, Lansing Christian 71-59 and Beal City 59-55.