Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
There was no rebuild, reload or reupping to be done with the Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball team this season.
It was simply a matter of getting the game back together.
Everyone who played for the Irish last year, when they advanced to the Class D state semifinals at the Breslin Center, returned to the roster.
In addition, Sacred Heart brought up a 6-foot sophomore in Lauren Munley from the junior varsity to add some size on the interior.
As perhaps the prohibitive favorite to win a state title in Class D, the Irish are brimming with talent and already taking it to their competition with a 5-0 start.
“We didn’t talk about being a favorite coming into the season,” SHA head coach Damon Brown said. “But being at the Breslin Center the last two years and coming up short has been a great motivating factor. Now we want to make one more step and bring home a state championship. All of our girls set their goals high and there is nowhere higher to go than that.”
Sacred Heart’s roster is highlighted by two returning All-State players in junior point guard Scout Nelson and senior forward Sophie Ruggles.
Nelson has led the Irish to an astounding 54-4 record including this season’s five victories since taking over the reins as point guard as a freshman. She averaged 14.5 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals per game a year ago.
Ruggles led Sacred Heart in scoring as a junior with 16.5 points per game to go with seven rebounds and four steals. She shot 66 percent from the floor.
What the Irish make up for with a lack of depth on their nine-girl roster, they more than make up for with not only skilled and intelligent basketball players but a group that is constantly working in cohesion. Whether it is a defensive switch or a player cutting to the hoop, all five SHA girls on the court always seem to know exactly where their counterparts are and will be.
“Everyone knows their role and there are no bad attitudes,” Brown said. “They challenge each other. The five seniors are constantly pushing each other and are always helping out the underclassmen.”
Seniors Megan Nowak, Hadyn Terwilliger, Grace Reetz and Maggie Yonker are all do-everything type of players who provide grit, determination and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help Sacred Heart succeed.
The Irish went into the break with its most impressive win to date on Dec. 21 at Grand Rapids West Catholic, securing a 54-40 victory. Sacred Heart previously defeated Vestaburg (76-14), Morley-Stanwood (45-18), Carson City-Crystal (53-13) and Coleman (67-27).
“These girls have worked so hard in every aspect of their games and we really like where we’re at right now,” Brown added. “There is plenty of work to be done, but we feel really good about this team.”