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4A state girls basketball preview: Players to watch, predictions

The Class 4A girls state basketball tournament begins Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome, where 15 games will be played in four days to decide this season’s high school champion.

Here’s what to watch for in the 2026 bracket, which features 12 programs from around the state.

Auburn’s Avery Hansen (3) drives to the basket as Woodinville guard Sam Harris (23) defends during the first half of a Class 3A state basketball tournament first-round game at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Tacoma.

REGIONAL RESULTS

Winner-to-quarterfinals, loser-to-first-round games

No. 1 Davis 73, No. 8 Sumner 48

No. 2 Union 51, No. 7 Bothell 43

No. 6 Lake Washington 59, No. 3 Chiawana 48

No. 5 Gonzaga Prep 64, No. 4 Woodinville 60

Winner-to-first-round, loser-out games

No. 9 Auburn 61, No. 16 Eisenhower 33

No. 10 Lake Stevens 61, No. 15 Bonney Lake 33

No. 11 Kennedy Catholic 61, No. 14 Redmond 50

No. 13 Tahoma 55, No. 12 Mead 41

TACOMA DOME SCHEDULE

Wednesday’s first round and Thursday’s quarterfinals

No. 11 Kennedy Catholic vs. No. 3 Chiawana, 9 a.m. Wednesday

Winner vs. No. 5 Gonzaga Prep, 9 a.m. Thursday

No. 10 Lake Stevens vs. No. 7 Bothell, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday

Winner vs. No. 1 Davis, 10:30 a.m. Thursday

No. 13 Tahoma vs. No. 4 Woodinville, 12:15 p.m. Wednesday

Winner vs. No. 6 Lake Washington, 12:15 p.m. Thursday

No. 9 Auburn vs. No. 8 Sumner, 2 p.m. Wednesday

Winner vs. No. 2 Union, 2 p.m. Thursday

Friday’s semifinals

3:45 and 5:30 p.m.

Saturday’s championship and placing games

4th/6th — 8 a.m.

3rd/5th — 11:15 a.m.

Championship — 5 p.m.

Sumner guard Kawehi Borden (4) dribbles the ball up the court as Davis guard Isa Garcia (33) plays defense during the second quarter of the Class 4A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Tacoma.

15 PLAYERS TO WATCH

G Julia Benthin, Lake Washington

G Kawehi Borden, Sumner

G Olivia Collins, Sumner

G Aylah Cornwall, Gonzaga Prep

G Jayden Fitzgerald, Kennedy Catholic

G Avery Hansen, Auburn

G Brooklynn Haywood, Union

G Cheyenne Hull, Davis

G Charlotte Lipkin, Bothell

G Baylee Maldonado, Chiawana

G Bailey Nettleton, Tahoma

G Keira Tupua, Lake Stevens

G Noelani Tupua, Lake Stevens

G Ashley Uusitalo, Lake Washington

G Jazlyn Wilkerson, Woodinville

Davis guard Cheyenne Hull (13) smiles as she looks at her reflection in the Class 4A State Championship trophy after the Pirates beat Sumner, 61-45, at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Tacoma.

TEAM PREVIEWS

No. 1 Davis (21-2) — Can the Pirates go back-to-back? The defending champions are favored to repeat their title at the Tacoma Dome, powered by two-way star junior Cheyenne Hull and a host of returners. Davis cruised past No. 8 Sumner in the regional round and hasn’t lost in 2026, still riding a 15-game win streak that includes a 54-48 win over No. 6 Lake Washington on Jan. 19. They’ll go as far as the reigning 4A Tournament MVP Hull takes them, considered one of the best recruits out west.

No. 2 Union (25-2) — When Oregon commit Brooklynn Haywood takes over, watch out. The senior guard (33 PPG) can become the state’s all-time leading scorer this week, trailing Hailey Van Lith by 100 points for the all-classification record. The Titans are playing their best basketball at the best time, rolling through Bonney Lake, Tahoma, and Kennedy Catholic by 19+ points each to claim the 4A District 3/4 title in undisputed style. That’s 18 wins in a row for Union, which hasn’t lost to an in-state opponent (23-0) all winter. Freshman guard Aleya Smith averages nearly 15 points per game for the Titans; junior guard Myla Larry adds 13.7 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds.

No. 3 Chiawana (25-1) — The Riverhawks dropped their first game of the season to No. 6 Lake Washington in last weekend’s regional round, but Chiawana has the firepower to bounce back. The offense runs through sister-backcourt Baylee and Kailee Maldonado, the high-powered duo averaging a combined 34 points and 11 rebounds per game. Watch for freshman guard Chloe Clyde, too, the 4A Mid-Columbia’s Defensive MVP.

No. 4 Woodinville (24-4) — Idaho State signee Jazlyn Wilkerson can pile points in a hurry, a three-point threat (35% 3PM) averaging team-highs of 22 points and seven rebounds per game. The 4A champs in 2022 have finished fourth or better in every Hardwood Classic since 2020, and there’s potential for another deep run despite a regional loss to No. 5 Gonzaga Prep. They’ll meet No. 13 Tahoma in the Round of 12, a Bears squad they beat by 12 points on Jan. 19.

No. 5 Gonzaga Prep (22-1) — Junior guard Aylah Cornwall has returned to star form after missing her sophomore season with a knee injury, placing Gonzaga Prep firmly in the mix at the Tacoma Dome. Cornwall is an 87-percent shooter at the free-throw line and paces all Bullpups in points (17.5), rebounds (10.1), assists (5.7), and steals (3.4) per game. G-Prep knocked off No. 4 Woodinville in the regional round, quickly turning the page after No. 3 Chiawana snapped their 21-game win streak on Feb. 20.

No. 6 Lake Washington (19-7) — Make no mistake: Oregon State commit Ashley Uusitalo remains one of the state’s premier sharpshooters. Mix in do-it-all junior guard Julia Benthin (13.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2 BPG) and 4A KingCo Defensive Player of the Year Ileana Olteanu (13.5 PPG, 2 BPG), and Lake Washington poses a true mismatch on the perimeter. Uusitalo became the Kangs’ all-time leading scorer this season (1,600 points and counting), already the record-holder in three-pointers made by over 100. The state-tournament regular rests Wednesday after knocking off undefeated No. 3 Chiawana in the regional round.

No. 7 Bothell (20-7) — Senior guard Charlotte Lipkin stars for the 4A KingCo champions, the two-time division MVP and Defensive Player of the Year averaging nearly 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game. The Cougars hold wins over No. 4 Woodinville, No. 6 Lake Washington, No. 14 Redmond, and No. 15 Bonney Lake, perhaps an under-the-radar pick to make noise in Tacoma. Junior guard Sam Brooke adds nine points, three assists, and two rebounds per game.

No. 8 Sumner (24-4) — There’s an unexpected, cross-state rivalry brewing between Sumner and top-seed Davis. The programs met twice in last year’s state tournament and received identical seeds this winter, setting the stage for Round 3 in the regional round. Davis cruised in the rematch, but the Spartans have the pieces for another run in Tacoma. Sumner’s star backcourt of four-star recruit Kawehi Borden and reigning TNT All-Area Player of the Year Olivia Collins added forward Raymiah Jackson into the mix, an interior force and floor-spacer for the defending state runners-up.

No. 9 Auburn (21-3) — Star point guard Avery Hansen orchestrates this fast and physical contender, dropping 24 points in Saturday’s regional win over No. 16 Sunnyside. The all-gas, no-brakes floor general is Auburn’s all-time leading scorer (1,290 PTS) and paced the Trojans in every category this winter (22.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 4.6 SPG), the key to an Auburn run at the Dome. Senior forward Ari Deloney tore her ACL last June but has worked her way back since, averaging nine points in her last nine games.

No. 10 Lake Stevens (21-3) — There’s another pair of standout sisters in the 4A bracket. Noelani Tupua’s polished handle and Keira Tupua’s downhill moves combine for 35.5 points per game, the leading scorers for a Lake Stevens program that’s won 15 of their last 16. Keira was named the 4A Wesco MVP (16.3 PPG, 2.7 APG) and Noelani averaged a double-double (19.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.6 APG) entering Saturday’s 61-33 regional win over Bonney Lake. Both sisters have eclipsed the 1,000-point career scoring mark.

No. 11 Kennedy Catholic (18-7) — Sophomore point guard Jayden Fitzgerald paces the Lancers in every per-game category (14.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 4.4 SPG), the tone-setting engine for Kennedy Catholic entering the Round of 12. The District 3/4 runners-up own wins over No. 8 Sumner, No. 9 Auburn, and No. 13 Tahoma.

No. 13 Tahoma (19-6) — Sharpshooter Bailey Nettleton and strong rebounder Adalynn Busch form a strong one-two punch in Maple Valley. Nettleton set the school’s single-season record for three-pointers made (78 and counting), and Busch should reach the 700 career-rebound mark at the Tacoma Dome this week. Tahoma split their two-game season series with No. 9 Auburn and No. 11 Kennedy Catholic.

TNT CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

No. 1 Davis 62, No. 2 Union 54

Thomaston holds off Lakeview in rubber match for Berkshire League tournament championship

The Thomaston High girls basketball team poses with the Berkshire League Tournament championship plaque after defeating Lakeview 36-31 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Lakeview High School in Litchfield. The teams tied for the BL regular season title.  (Cody Dzis/Hearst Connecticut Media)

LITCHFIELD - Brynn Beaudoin stood her ground.

As Lakeview's Allie Pape barreled toward her for a potential game-tying basket, the sophomore guard for the Thomaston girls basketball team braced for collision with eight seconds to play.

The ref's whistle blew. The call was a charge.

In a game where baskets were as precious as finding a gold doubloon in the sand, it was not surprisingly a defensive play that locked up the Golden Bears' 36-31 victory in the Berkshire League tournament final Monday night before a lively, packed house at Lakeview.

"We were defending the 3-point shot. When she drove, it was just play good defense and hope we got the call," Beaudoin remarked as she waited to clip her strand of the championship net afterward.

Thomaston (18-4) captured its first BL tournament title in three years and third in six seasons while winning the rubber match from the Bobcats (19-3). The two teams split in the regular season while sharing the conference crown.

"We know Thomaston has a legacy of winning. We want to keep that legacy. We were saying at the end, ‘It's all heart. It's all heart. It's all heart. We want it more,'" said sophomore guard Aylin Lahey, who scored a team-high 13 points, including eight in the second half.

The game followed the path from Lakeview's 36-33 victory here nine days earlier with both offenses enduring long droughts. In the third quarter, Thomaston's only points were on a 3-pointer by Lahey and Lakeview's only points were two foul shots by freshman Christina Barone.

"I said to my (assistant) coach, ‘How many did we score in the third quarter?' She said, ‘Three, but that's better than last time, and they only scored two,'" said Thomaston coach Brian Mozelak. "So, we won the quarter 3-2, but we won it."

Pape's nifty pass to Mickie Rea for a buzzer basket gave Lakeview a 10-9 lead after one period. Lakeview owned a 19-12 lead midway through the second quarter, but Thomaston went on an 11-1 run with Madison Decker's 3-pointer giving the Bears a 23-20 lead at halftime.

Ahead 26-22 going into the final period, Thomaston enjoyed a 32-27 edge on Lahey's drive to the hoop with two minutes left. Barone scored off a rebound and Addie Foss hit a short jumper for Lakeview to make it a one-point margin with 32 seconds left.

Decker canned one foul shot, but Rea rebounded the missed second attempt, and Lakeview had a chance to tie or go ahead.

"They had four fouls, so if we get fouled, we're shooting. If (Pape is) attacking the basket, I like our odds," said Lakeview coach Kerri Stolle. "She just went a little too hard."

"We were trying to take away Pape knowing they would probably try to reverse the ball to her," said Mozelak. "We told them, ‘Play defensive help. Be ready for the drive.'"

Lahey hit one of two free throws for Thomaston with 6.5 seconds left, and Emily Dos Anjos rebounded her miss and scored to ice the game with six seconds left.

DosAnjos scored nine points and grabbed 15 rebounds for Thomaston, which dominated the boards with a 35-26 advantage. Beaudoin had seven rebounds, and Decker finished with nine points.

For Lakeview, Barone finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Pape scored nine.

Player of the Game

Thomaston's Aylin Lahey: She led her team with 13 points, including eight in the second half, and grabbed four rebounds.

Quote of the Game

"Sometimes, girls basketball is a rock fight. It's not pretty, but you keep fighting and scrapping, and hopefully your team comes out on top." - Thomaston coach Brian Mozelak.

Thomaston 36, Lakeview 31

LAKEVIEW     10 10 2   9-31
THOMASTON   9 14 3 10-36

Lakeview: Addie Foss 2 0 4, Ella Turtoro 0 0 0, Alyssa Barone 0 0 0, Charlotte Foss 0 0 0, Allie Pape 2 3 9, Teagan Moran 0 0 0, Christina Barone 6 3 15, Mickie Rea 1 1 3, Dorothy Olmstead 0 0 0. Totals: 11 7 31.
Thomaston: Aylin Lahey 4 3 13, Brynn Beaudoin 0 1 1, Madison Decker 3 1 9, Addison Patchell 0 0 0, Tess Harkness 2 0 4, Emily DosAnjos 4 1 9. Totals:13 6 36.
3-point field goals:  L-Pape 2. T-Lahey 2, Decker 2.
Team records: Lakeview 19-3; Thomaston 18-4.

This article originally published at Thomaston holds off Lakeview in rubber match for Berkshire League tournament championship.

Top-seeded Coventry downs No. 2 Suffield to defend its NCCC girls basketball championship

The Coventry girls basketball team celebrates its second consecutive NCCC championship Monday, March 2, 2026 at Windsor Locks High School. (Jim Fuller/For Hearst Connecticut Media)

WINDSOR LOCKS - There was a different vibe when the returning players on the Coventry girls basketball took the court. As the reigning NCCC champions, the Patriots were now the team others were looking to dethrone.

After a perfect run through NCCC play during the regular season, the top-seeded Patriots handled the pressure and a Suffield team on a 17-game winning streak to repeat as conference champions.

A 9-1 run late in the first half and another burst when No. 2 Suffield was threatening to make a game of it propelled Coventry to a 64-46 victory in the tournament final Monday night.

"It was really amazing, especially since we put in so much work all season," said NCCC tournament MVP Danielle Wheeler, who had 27 points. "We kind of had a target on our back for the whole season because we won it last year. A lot of teams were out to get us. All we had to do was put in a lot of hard work, and it feels really good knowing that is paid off."

Coventry, the No. 10 team in the GameTimeCT poll, never trailed in the game, and went up by double digits when Hailey Mayo's layup put the Patriots ahead by 11 late in the first half.

Suffield (20-3) pulled within six points in the early stages of the third quarter, as Reese Jeamel had a three-point play followed by a steal and layup by Wheeler. But the Wildcats got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

"We didn't play our best basketball tonight. We didn't play good basketball, we played mediocre basketball," Suffield coach Jason Qua said. "Coventry is a really good team and if you want to play a really good team, you are going to have to play your best basketball or at least good basketball."

Jeamel had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocked shots, Jianna Foran also had 13 points and Mayo added 11 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Coventry (21-2).

Hazel Qua had 16 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks before fouling out early in the fourth quarter for Suffield. River Seagrave also had 16 points for the Wildcats.

"Winning this was a lot harder than winning last year," Coventry coach Kevin Clancy said. "Last year, we kind of had the underdog feel. Here, we did so well in the regular season and it was a lot more pressure."

With Coventry the No. 2 seed and Suffield seeded third in the CIAC Division III bracket, the teams could meet again.

Player of the Game

Danielle Wheeler, Coventry: The sophomore guard had 27 points as the Patriots won back-to-back NCCC tournament titles.

Quotable

"They made four 3s in the first half. Wheeler had the game of her life. She just wouldn't miss." - Suffield coach Jason Qua.

Coventry 64, Suffield 46

Suffield:Addie Holmes 0 0-0 0, Hazel Qua 7 2-4 16, River Seagrave 5 6-6 16, Alex Eddy 3 3-4 10, Ava Petkovich 1 0-0 2, Jackie Murphy 0 2-2 2. Totals:16 13-16 46.
Coventry: Ava Vieira 0 0-0 0, Ava Topliff 0 0-0 0, Reese Jeamel 5 2-3 13, Jianna Foran 4 5-7 13 Danielle Wheeler 10 2-7 27, Hailey Mayo 5 1-1 11, Aliza Sobol 0 0-0 0. Totals:24 10-18 64.
3-point field goals: S-Eddy; C-Wheeler 5.
Team records:Suffield 20-3, Coventry 21-2.

This article originally published at Top-seeded Coventry downs No. 2 Suffield to defend its NCCC girls basketball championship.

Top-ranked Northwest Catholic girls basketball erupts to defeat Rocky Hill for CCC championship

Northwest Catholic celebrates after winning the CCC title game 72-34 during the Northwest Catholic vs Rocky Hill girls basketball CCC finals on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the University of Hartford in West Hartford. (Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media)

WEST HARTFORD - For all that the Northwest Catholic girls basketball team had accomplished over the past three seasons, one thing eluded these senior Lions.

Until Monday.

In what was expected to be a close encounter of the top two seeds in the CCC, No. 1 Northwest Catholic blitzed No. 2 Rocky Hill 72-34 in the title game at the University of Hartford's Chase Family Arena to capture the program's first conference crown since 2010. 

The end result was never in question after the three-time reigning CIAC champions outscored the Terriers 23-4 in the second quarter to lead 40-13 by halftime. The onslaught continued in the third quarter as GametimeCT's top-ranked team opened up a 40-point lead with 1:40 to play in the third.

A plethora of Rocky Hill turnovers led to several NWC fast-break points and a 61-19 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Lions forced the Terriers into 14 turnovers in the blowout win.

NWC senior captain Maeve Stounton led all scorers with 24 points, as the Lions improved to 23-1 and enter next week's CIAC playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Division 1.

An inside hoop by NWC's all-time leading scorer Abigail Casper (14 points) put NCW up 70-30 with 3:53 to play.

Rocky Hill was led by All-State senior guard Kelsey LaMay, who scored 15 points in the loss. 

Northwest Catholic head coach Alison Connors called Monday night a "full circle moment" for her seniors, who didn't even qualify for the 2023 CCC Tournament as freshmen before winning the first of three straight state titles.

Those same seniors have won 95 games (and counting) in four seasons.

"I'm just so excited for this team. (Winning the CCCs) was one of the big boxes at the beginning of the season," Connors said. "Those three (seniors) have worked their tails off."

NWC won't exactly begin defense of its CIAC title next week, as girls basketball tournament switched from classes to divisions this year. The Lions won last year's Class L title after winning Class MM in 2024 and Class S in 2023.

Rocky Hill (22-2), meanwhile, is the No. 1 seed in Division II. The Terriers' only two losses this season were to Northwest Catholic, which also beat Rocky Hill 68-56 on Jan. 12.

Northwest Catholic's only loss this season was at the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass., falling to Springfield Central High School.

After a competitive first quarter (NWC led 17-9), the Lions turned up the defensive pressure to outscore Rocky Hill 17-2 over the first five minutes of the second.

A LaMay basket 35 seconds into the second quarter would be Rocky Hill's only points as NWC opened up a 36-11 lead with 3:01 to play in the half. The Terriers turned the ball over five times during the NWC run, including three straight possessions.

Stauton took full advantage of the Rocky Hill miscues, twice converting 3-point plays when fouled driving to the basket. Casper also hit a 3-pointer, and it was suddenly 34-11 midway through the second quarter.

"I think today our defense really shined. It's what we hang our hat on," Stauton said. 

Rocky Hill had more turnovers than field goals in the second quarter. 

"When our defense is going like that, it really fuels us and nothing can stop us," Stauton said. 

"All the credit to Northwest, they are a great team," Rocky Hill head coach Pete Asadourian said. "We just weren't connected, and (were) off tonight."

Player of the Game

Maeve Staunton, Northwest Catholic: The senior captain led all scorers with 24 points, including 16 in the first half (eight in each quarter). 

Quotable

"I think (the CCCs) are always good for us to come in here and play the best competition. It propels us to the state tournament. Losing always hurts, but there is a bigger picture and our main goal is a state championship." - Maeve Stauton, Northwest Catholic senior guard after winning the conference crown for the first time. 

Northwest Catholic 72, Rocky Hill 34                                                                                                                         

ROCKY HILL                           9   4  6  15-34
NORTHWEST CATHOLIC  17 23 21 11-72

Rocky Hill: Kelsey LaMay 5 1 0-0 15, Arianna Daley 1 0 1-2 3, Madisyn Aurigemma 3 0 1-2 7, Jill Rhouddou 1 0 2-2 4, Katie Harding 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 11 2 4-6 34.
Northwest Catholic: Maeve Staunton 6 2 6-6 24, Lilyan Johnson 1 0 4-4 6, Zoey Canning 4 0 1-1 9, Samatha Casper 1 0 4-6 6, Azjah Lizotte 2 0 0-0 4, Lyla Diaz 4 0 1-1 9, Abigail Casper 5 1 1-2 14. Totals:26 3 16-20 72.
3-point field goals:Rocky Hill-LaMay 1, Harding 1. Northwest Catholic-Staunton 2, Abigail Casper 1.
Team records: Rocky Hill 22-2; Northwest Catholic 23-1.

This article originally published at Top-ranked Northwest Catholic girls basketball erupts to defeat Rocky Hill for CCC championship.

Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball fights past Sheehan to repeat as SCC champions

The Sacred Heart girls basketball team celebrate their victory over Sheehan in the SCC Championship Game at Quinnipiac University's M&T Bank Arena in Hamden on March 2, 2026. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media)

HAMDEN - It may not have been pretty, but the Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball team is on top of the Southern Connecticut Conference mountain once again.

Playing a suffocating defense, the top-seeded Sharks held No. 6 Sheehan to just 20% shooting from the field in a 34-27 SCC final victory Monday at M&T Bank Arena on the campus of Quinnipiac University.

Making their sixth straight SCC championship appearance and eighth overall, the Sharks won their fifth league title and second in a row in the lowest scoring championship game in the history of the league.

"It shows that we can win in different ways," Sacred Heart coach Jason Kirck said after his team improved to 19-2. "Sheehan had a very deliberate style. They played great defense with that matchup zone. They made it a struggle all night long. I think it is a testament to our players that we were able to figure out a way to win even though we didn't play our traditional style of up and down basketball."

Sheehan was making its first-ever appearance in the SCC championship game, and mounted a second-half comeback with a 7-0 run to get within 32-27 with under five minutes to go. But when a 3-pointer by Gabby Busillo rolled in and out, and a layup by Jenna Wresien fell off the rim, the Titans never threatened again.  

"We held one of the better teams in the state to 34 points," Sheehan coach Mike Busillo said after his team fell to 19-5. "We were not perfect, but our defense was certainly good enough to win today. We just did not put the ball in the basket enough. We had a three which went halfway down and out, and a layup which rolled off."

After Sheehan closed the first half on a 7-0 run to get within 14-10, the Sharks pulled away with a 6-0 run to close the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Finley Gunning coupled with a basket and free throw by Madelyn Burke gave Sacred Heart Academy a 26-18 lead with eight minutes remaining.

"We just tried to spread them out a little bit," Kirck said. "Once you start making shots, then you make a few, and it opens things up on top."

When Molly Gunning hit from the field to give the Sharks a 32-20 lead, the Titans were in trouble. Megan Wresien, who finished with a game-high 15 points, scored four consecutive Sheehan points to get the Titans within 32-27, but the Titans did not get closer.

"The key was to just get more inside, to get to the hoop because our shots weren't falling," Finley Gunning said after finishing with a team-high 10 points. "Once we started getting to the hoop, we created more opportunities for our team."

The first half was a defensive battle as the two teams went periods without scoring and managed only a combined 24 points.

Neither team scored in the first four minutes of the game before Finley Gunning got the scoring started for the Sharks. Sheehan's Jenna Wresien and Sacred Heart's Alexis Powell matched 3-pointers as the two teams went to the second quarter even at 5-5.

Sacred Heart Academy then went on a 9-0 run which saw a 3-pointer by Finley Gunning and a bucket by Mila Harmon give the Sharks a 14-5 lead.

"Most of our offense comes from our defense," said Burke, who was the game's Most Outstanding Player. "Especially in games like this, when it is hard for us to put the ball in the hoop, our defense wins the game for us."

Sheehan struggled to score in the second quarter, but finally got on the board with a free throw by Megan Wresien, who then hit a pair of field goals in the final 40 seconds to get the Titans within 14-10 at the half.

The Sharks scored 11 of their 14 first-half points off Sheehan turnovers. Neither team shot well in the opening half, as the Titans were just 4-of-19 (21%) from the field, and SHA was just 6-of-25 (24%).

Jenna Wresien had eight points in the loss for Sheehan.

Mila Harmon added nine points, and Burke had six for Sacred Heart Academy.

Player of the Game

Finley Gunning:The Sacred Heart freshman led the way with 10 points, including seven in the first half.

Quotable

"I'm really happy, especially with my sister (Molly). I really enjoy playing with her. She is very helpful, and she helps me keep my head up all the time. It's been a great experience." - Sacred Heart freshman Finley Gunning after winning the SCC title.

Sacred Heart Academy 34, Sheehan 27

SHEEHAN    5 5   8 9-27
SHA               5 9 12 8-34

Sheehan:Susan Hotaling 1 0 0-0 2, Megan Wresien 4 0 7-8 15, Jenna Wresien 1 2 0-0 8, McKenna Liu 1 0 0-0 2, Gabby Busillo 0 0 0-0 0, Julia Cassesse 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2 7-8 27.
SHA: Madelyn Burke 2 0 2-3 6, Mila Harmon 3 0 3-4 9, Molly Gunning 2 0 0-2 4, Alexis Powell 0 1 0-0 3, Finley Gunning 2 2 0-0 10, Isabella Pellegrino 1 0 0-0 2, Biana Coughlin 0 0 0-0 0. Totals:13 3 5-11 34.
3-point field goals: Sheehan-Wresien 2; SHA-Gunning 2, Powell 1.
Records:Sheehan 19-5; SHA 19-2.

This article originally published at Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball fights past Sheehan to repeat as SCC champions.

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