Sacred Heart Returns Hungry for More

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sacred Heart Academy is coming off an impressive 2025-26 campaign that saw the team finish with a 19-6 record, capture the MSAC conference championship, and make a run to the regional finals. With seven players returning from that successful squad, Sacred Heart has plenty of reasons to be excited about what lies ahead this winter. The experience gained from last season's postseason run should provide a strong foundation as the team looks to build on that success and make another push toward a championship. Sacred Heart will look to establish itself with disciplined play on both ends of the floor, emphasizing tough man-to-man defense, protecting the paint, and executing the little things that make a difference in close games. Offensively, the team will look to attack the basket while creating opportunities through its inside-out approach. With a talented group of returners and plenty of motivation to take things one step further, Sacred Heart has its sights set on defending its conference title and making another deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026–2027 SEASON SCHEDULE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME<br>12/7/26 Bath HOME 7:00 PM<br>12/11/26 Merrill AWAY 7:00 PM<br>12/14/26 Beaverton @ NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY 7:00 PM<br>12/16/26 Blanchard Montabella HOME 7:00 PM<br>12/18/26 Carson City-Crystal AWAY 7:00 PM<br>1/6/27 Fulton AWAY 7:00 PM<br>1/8/27 Vestaburg HOME 7:00 PM<br>1/11/27 Sanford Meridian HOME 7:00 PM<br>1/18/27 Beal City HOME 7:00 PM<br>1/19/27 Blanchard Montabella AWAY 7:00 PM<br>1/21/27 Carson City-Crystal AWAY 7:00 PM<br>1/25/27 Central Montcalm HOME 6:30 PM<br>1/26/27 Cedar Springs AWAY 7:00 PM<br>1/28/27 Fulton HOME 7:00 PM<br>2/1/27 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central AWAY 7:00 PM<br>2/2/27 Vestaburg AWAY 7:00 PM<br>2/4/27 St. Charles AWAY 7:00 PM<br>2/9/27 Breckenridge HOME 7:00 PM<br>2/12/27 Coleman HOME 5:30 PM<br>2/15/27 Roscommon HOME 7:00 PM<br>2/23/27 Morley Stanwood AWAY 7:00 PM<br>2/25/27 TBD – Conference HOME 7:00 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>■ GO IRISH! ■</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team Overview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How would you describe your team heading into this season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>As we head into the new season,&nbsp; we return seven players from last year's team who are hungry to compete in practice and games. This group of players will look to attack the rim, play inside-out basketball, and control the tempo on defense. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What are your expectations/goals for this group?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our expectations for the season are to compete for the MSAC conference championship and compete in our District. We would love to play in a Regional matchup in our home gym this season!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What's the team's identity or style of play you're aiming for?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our team will look to play disciplined offense and defense, where we execute the small details. Our identity at Sacred Heart is to be known for tough man-to-man defense, where we communicate well and protect the paint.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2000927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866c9f25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Sarah has great energy and is one of our better defenders on the team. Sarah gets the call when we need defensive strength on the court, or the opponent has a great player. Sarah's stats do not stack up on the offensive end, but she does exactly what we need her to do on defense.</strong>" - Coach Doerr</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["928063"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866c9f88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Karis is an explosive scorer with great speed and athleticism. She has a drive first mentality and scores well when jumping off both feet inside the paint. She rebounds the ball well and and has quick hands on the defensive end. Last year, Karis averaged 20.4 POINTS shooting 49% from the field, 5.2 REB, 5.3 DEFL, 5.5 STL per game. Karis is committed to GVSU next year.</strong>" - Coach Doerr</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2000935"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866c9fc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Ava is a great supporter of her teammates. She does everything we ask of her in practice and on the court. Ava also does a great job creating locker room decor, motivational quotes for her teammates, and all of the goodies that do not get recognized on the court.</strong>" - Coach Doerr<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2000936"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866c9ff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Lexi is strongest post defender who is willing to step up and take a charge for the team. She passes the ball well from inside and the offense facilitates through her. Last year, Lexi averaged 4.1 POINTS, 4.5 REB, 2 ASTS, 2.5 DEFL, 1.3 STLS per game.</strong>" - Coach Doerr<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2000937"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866ca028"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Sierra is returning from a torn ACL last February. Sierra is a great voice on the court and from the bench. She communicates well and is a threat to knock down the three. Last year, Sierra averaged 4.8 POINTS, 2 REB, 1.1 ASTS, 1.3 STLS per game.</strong>" - Coach Doerr<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250250"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866ca05c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong> Allison is a combo point gaurd and shooting guard. Allison is strong with the ball, leading the team in assists to turnover ratio last season, as well as a great on ball defender. Last year, Allison averaged 3.4 POINTS, 5 REB, 2.5 ASTS, 1.8 DEFL, 1.7 STL per game.</strong>" - Coach Doerr</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250174"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af5f866ca08d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">"<strong>Ava has great length, and has gotten stronger the past two years on varsity. She is a threat from the outside, and improved her attacking game to get into the paint to make a move. Last year, Ava averaged, 5.2 PPG, 1.7 REB, 1 ASST per game.</strong>" - Coach Doerr<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> New Faces</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Katherine Latham, Sadie Wohlschied, and [player_tooltip player_id='1874349' first='Layla' last='Halliday'] will be the new players on the team this season, and each of them brings a different set of skills. </strong><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->