Two former Sacred Heart standout basketball players made important decisions recently.
Auburn freshman Mustapha Heron decided to return to the Tigers for his sophomore season. Northwest Florida State College sophomore Malik Petteway gave a commitment to Robert Morris, a Division I school located in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Heron was looking at the NBA Draft, but decided to stick around Auburn.
“After a careful study of his draft position for this year and next, he and his family have decided not to declare, return for his sophomore season and help lead the resurgence in Auburn basketball,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said in a story on the team website. “He is going to play in the NBA someday soon, just not next season.”
Petteway played at Northwest Florida State for two seasons. Assistant coach Tevin Baskin had some great words for his pupil.
“Malik Petteway has officially committed to Robert Morris University,” Baskin posted on Facebook. “Leek it’s been a great experience helping and watching you grow on and off the court all year long.”
Baskin added: “RMU is getting a great player but even better person!”
SOFTBALL
A pair of 22’s for Holy Cross: The Crusaders scored 22 runs in two different games this week, Monday against Ansonia and Thursday against Wilby.
On Monday, Lizzy Diorio homered twice, drove in two runs, scored four times and was a perfect 4-for-4. Val Nobrega (homer), Sarah Lawton (2 triples) and Alexandra Lombardo drove in three runs apiece.
Diorio and Aubry DeFoe collected two hits and three RBI apiece on Thursday.
Holy Cross beat Oxford 6-0 on Friday to improve to 10-1. The Crusaders host 11-1 St. Paul in a showdown Monday at 4 p.m.
Three, two and one for WCA duo: Briana Montoya-Medina and Vanessa Santiago had something in common in an 11-7 Spartan victory over Wolcott Tech on Thursday.
Both players had three RBI, two hits and one double in the victory. Montoya-Medina also scored two runs.
Big day for DeSantis: Kaynor Tech’s Maggie DeSantis allowed three hits and struck out 10 in a 23-3, five-inning win over Bullard-Havens. At the plate, DeSantis had two hits, RBI, four stolen bases and five runs scored.
BASEBALL
Doubles galore for Sacred Heart: In wins over Watertown and Kennedy, the Hearts tallied 10 doubles.
Larry Zapata, Evan Laferriere, Jimmy Edwards and Justin Stephens had doubles apiece while Bryan Fernandez and Noah Knappe each had one.
On Saturday, Sacred Heart celebrated the 20th anniversary of its state championship team with a 7-0 win over Derby at Municipal Stadium. The Hearts are 7-4 on the season.
GOLF
Holy Cross wins battle of unbeatens, twice: The Crusaders handed both Torrington and St. Paul their first losses of the season.
Holy Cross defeated Torrington 178-194 at Western Hills on Wednesday, then took down St. Paul 173-205 at Chippanee Country Club in Bristol on Thursday.
Vincent Graziano was the medalist on both days, and he did it at six-over-par each time. Graziano had a 42 on Wednesday and a 41 on Thursday.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Eight for Aiyana: Holy Cross’ Aiyana Ward scored eight goals in a 21-11 win over Amistad Academy on Wednesday.
TRACK AND FIELD
Two relay sweeps for city schools: The Sacred Heart and Crosby boys both swept all three relays in meets held on Thursday.
Sacred Heart did it in a tri-meet against Naugatuck and St. Paul. The Hearts are 5-4 on the season after a loss to the Greyhounds and a win over the Falcons.
Crosby did it in a meet that also featured Oxford and Wolcott. The Bulldogs improved to 4-4 with a win over Wolcott.
BOYS TENNIS
Kennedy gets first win: The Eagles defeated Crosby 8-1 on Friday to get into the win column.
Camilo Barrera, Mehdi Namaz, Joni Pasholli, Edgar Yeper and Yasim Azizoglu won singles matches. Redjan Cipi and Braeden Gorman teamed up for a doubles win. Kennedy also had two wins via forfeit, one in singles and one in doubles. The Eagles improved to 1-7 on the season.
