Four Takeaways: Sacred Heart 71, Assumption 49

According to the Kentucky High School AP Poll, Sacred Heart is currently ranked #1. This was my first time seeing them in person and let me say, they have it all. They have two amazing senior guards in <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/erin-toller/">Erin Toller</a> and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/destinee-marshall/">Destinee Marshall</a>. I will talk about them later on in the article. Assumption also has quality players but the Valkyries were too much for the Rockets. Sacred Heart defeated Assumption, 71-49. <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Four Takeaways</strong></p> <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/erin-toller/">Erin Toller</a> (Sacred Heart)</strong> The University of Kentucky signee was absolutely spectacular in this Sunday matchup against their rival Assumption. She finished with a game-high, 31 points. She can shoot lights out as she drilled 7 of her 13 three-point attempts. She shot 61.7% from the field. She also gathered 7 rebounds and 2 assists. She is very patient with how she plays the game. Her shooting form is very calm and confident. Not a lot of rise on the shot but no need as she was consistent. She's also a great finisher and can get by the defenders with ease. UK Head Coach Matthew Mitchell is getting a good one at UK for the next four years. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/payton-cronen/">Payton Cronen</a> (Assumption)</strong> Despite the loss, the Newberry College signee can shoot the ball. She finished with a team-high 20 points, including 4 threes. Every open shot she had she would take it in order to cut the lead for the Rockets. Her stroke is very pretty and everyone in the gym thought it was going in every time she would shoot the ball. She is very confident in her shot and has not hesitate in pulling the trigger from deep. She scored 11 of the team's 16 points in the 3rd quarter. She was the main offensive focus for the Rockets after halftime. Sacred Heart played excellent defense throughout the game but Cronen still got her buckets. <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/destinee-marshall/">Destinee Marshall</a> (Sacred Heart)</strong> The Radford signee is one of the main reasons as to why this Sacred Heart team is so successful. She is the perfect floor general for this very talented team. She finished with 18 points and 5 assists. She's a pass first point guard but she can score in bunches as well with her ability to shoot and her speed to finish at the rim. She had some fancy passes down-low to their star-forward <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristen-clemons/">Kristen Clemons</a> (Belmont volleyball signee). The 3 seniors of <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/destinee-marshall/">Destinee Marshall</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/erin-toller/">Erin Toller</a>, and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kristen-clemons/">Kristen Clemons</a> are dynamic and have great connection on and off the court. This team is special and they are my pick to take home the state title. <strong>Sacred Heart's suffocating defense</strong> Sacred Heart's defense is what makes them so great. They can get after you in so many ways. Whether it be man-to-man or 2-3 zone, they'll defend you with intensity every single possession. They only gave up 4 points in the first quarter. At Halftime they were up 38-19. They were limiting shots, making shots difficult, filling in the gaps, causing turnovers, blocking shots. They were doing it all. Sacred Heart's head coach Donna Moir should be proud of this team. Defense wins championships and they sure do have a great defense. Sacred Heart wins their 7th straight game and they improve to 15-1 for the season.