Then top-seeded Sacred Heart boys basketball team put on a defensive clinic in the first half of their Class M state quarterfinal game against Granby Memorial at a packed Alumni Hall.
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| Charles Fisher was again the defensive leader for Sacred Heart, though he had a terrific night overall Monday against Granby. |
The defense led to transition offense as the Hearts sprinted out to a 20-5 first quarter lead, and 46-11 at the half. Sacred Heart sent its seniors out with a bang in the 93-36 rout. For the third straight year, the Hearts will play Bloomfield in the state semifinal. For the second straight year, it will be played at New Britain High School.
“We know them pretty well, they know us pretty well,” Sacred Heart head coach Jon Carroll. “It’s almost like a conference game at this point.”
Before Bloomfield, Sacred Heart had to get past Granby, and it didn’t take long. Senior star Mustapha Heron, playing again in front of future coach Bruce Pearl of Auburn, led the way with 31 points. Raheem Solomon scored 14 points while Tyrn Flowers and Charles Fisher added 12 each. Courie Stevenson tallied eight points in a nice effort off the bench.
It was the last home game for seniors Heron, Flowers, Fisher, J.T. Riddick, Da’Shaun Douglas, Gianni Perrotti, Brandon Austin and Reggie Ligon Jr.
Flowers and Fisher loved playing in front of the crowd.
“There’s a lot of alumni that’s here,” Flower said. “We just try to play strong, do what we do.”
Fisher didn’t like Alumni Hall’s rims when he first started, but he warmed up to them. Fisher gave the home fans something to really cheer about when he threw down a left-handed jam on a fast break.
“It felt great,” Fisher said. “I felt it, I felt the bench, I felt our student section.”
“Our fans is the best part about it,” Flowers said.
Carroll is confident in his bunch in being ready for the Bloomfield game.
“None of this is new,” Carroll said. “None of them are in awe of the bright lights.”
