Sacred Heart Greenwich defeats Greenwich Academy in FAA basketball action to remain undefeated

By David Fierro on December 20, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Aisha Hassan of Sacred Hert Greenwich dribbles the ball up the court for the Sacred Heart Greenwich varsity basketball team which defeated host Greenwich Academy, 69-29, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Defense and depth.

That’s what’s led defending FAA Tournament champion Sacred Heart Greenwich to five wins in as many games so far this season, the latest victory coming when it visited crosstown rival Greenwich Academy.

Receiving points from 10 players and using a tenacious defensive effort, the Tigers raised their record to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Fairchester Athletic Association, recording a 69-29 road win over Greenwich Academy.

Senior guard Aisha Hassan led a balanced Sacred Heart Greenwich scoring effort, totaling 12 points, while senior forward/center/captain Jadamarie Henry added points and eight rebounds in the winning effort.

“I was so pleased with our defense,” Sacred Heart Greenwich coach Ayo Hart said. “I think it carried us. In the beginning of the game, we were missing layups and what kept us in the game was our defense. We were getting multiple stops.”

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Ruby Montanez of Greenwich Academy, right, drives to the basket while being defended by Xoe Henry of Sacred Heart Greenwich during an FAA varsity basketball game at Greenwich Academy. SHG won the game, 69-49.

An improving Greenwich Academy team, which is 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the FAA, received seven points apiece from junior forward/captain Mirabel Rodgers and junior center Mallory Walker.

“I’m really proud of our girls,” Greenwich Academy coach Jordan Griffith said. “We did the things that we needed to, to put ourselves in the opportunity to get those finishes. We executed really well, they are a very good team. Ayo Hart and what she’s built over at Sacred Heart is what we hope to do with our basketball program as well.”

Both teams are currently busy competing in Holiday tournaments. Sacred Heart Greenwich is playing at a showcase/tournament at Noble and Greenough School in Massachusetts. The Tigers are playing Darrow School tonight, then will face Tilton School tomorrow (Dec. 21) at 3 p.m. On Sunday, (Dec. 22) SHG concludes play in the three-day showcase with a matchup against Winchendon School at 9:30 a.m. SHG entered its FAA game against GA intent on getting everyone involved in the action and preparing for its upcoming three-day tournament.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Eva Wilkerson of Sacred Heart Greenwich, left, looks to make a move to the basket while being defended by Aneka Lakhani of Greenwich Academy during an FAA varsity basketball game on Dec. 17, 2024.

“We made an effort to get everyone involved, we’ve got a pretty big showcase this weekend up in Nobles, so we were saying how we needed to make sure everyone felt a part of the game, so that we had that confidence going into the weekend,” Hart noted.

Sophomore guard Lucianna Parrotta registered nine points, four rebounds and three assists, while junior guard Eva Wilkerson recorded nine points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the Tigers’ triumph against the Gators.

“We were saying in the locker room no matter who went on the court, we didn’t feel the level dropped,” Hart said.

Greenwich Academy is currently playing in a tournament at The Pingry School in New Jersey. GA plays Pingry School tonight (Dec. 20), is back in action tomorrow at 9 a.m. versus Pingry School, then concludes its action in the tournament also tomorrow with a 4 p.m. matchup against Middlesex School.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro:** Mallory Walker of Greenwich Academy (No. 20) controls the ball in the low post during a game against Sacred Heart Greenwich on Dec. 17, 2024, at Greenwich Academy. The Tigers were victorious to stay undefeated.

In its victory over GA, Sacred Heart received nine points, three rebounds and three assists from junior guard Ava Curto and nine points as well from senior guard/captain Mackenzie Gillen. Hassan made eight steals, while pulling down five rebounds for the victors.

“We didn’t off to the best start, but I think we recovered really well and we ended the game really well,” Hassan said. “We were hustling and it was a good game overall. With each game, we are getting better and understanding each other way better.”

Indeed, Hassan has made an impressive impact during her first season for SHG, effectively running the offense from her point guard position, while playing stellar defense.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Jada Henry (No. 30), a Sacred Heart Greenwich senior, looks to pass the ball after controlling a rebound against host Greenwich Academy.

“It’s amazing the girls are super welcoming,” Hassan said of her experience as a member of the Sacred Heart squad. “They are super nice and it feels like home.”

Adrian Allegretti, an eighth grader, had four points and three rebounds, junior guard/forward Emma Matthews made a 3-pointer for three points and added four assists and sophomore guard Lucia Coviello had three points and three rebounds for the 5-0 Tigers.

“We’ve been working really hard in practice perfecting our offense, we have an important weekend coming up,” Matthews said. “For us to come out like we did today, strong and crisp, that’s a testament to our team and how fast we’ve come together.”

Senior guard/captain Ruby Montanez and freshman guard Aneka Lakhami had four points apiece for the Gators.

**Photo provided by Antonio Monteiro:** Ava Curto of Sacred Heart takes a jump shot while being defended by xxx of Greenwich Academy in a varsity basketball game, held on December 17, 2024, at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich.

“We executed at times, we got the looks, we handled their pressure,” Griffith said. “We just have to finish a little bit more down the stretch. Hats off to them, they’re a great team.”

Parrotta scored on a well-executed up-and-under move, giving Sacred Heart an early 6-2 lead on Greenwich Academy. A foul line jumper by Henry made it 8-2 in favor of the Tigers with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter.

Baskets by Gillen and Curto put the visiting Tigers on top, 16-3 and after Walker made a foul shot, Curto swished another perimeter shot, giving SHG an 18-4 advantage following the first quarter.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro:** Greenwich Academy’s Mirabel Rodgers battles for the ball with Aisha Hassan of Sacred Heart.

Sacred Heart, which applied a full court press, before going into a trapping zone defense, while also playing man-to-man, took a 37-10 lead on GA into halftime. Walker grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a putback and Rodgers converted a layup for the Gators, who trailed, 23-9, with just over three minutes to go in the second quarter.

The Tigers seized a commanding lead after that, ending the second period with a 14-1 run. Henry, Parrotta, and Wilkerson each made baskets for Sacred Heart during their second-quarter surge, which saw the team thrive in transition.

SHG has a roster of athletes who can shoot from the perimeter making the team difficult to defend.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Lucianna Parrotta, left dribbles the basketball while being guarded by Greenwich Academy’s Ruby Montanez in FAA varsity basketball action.

“If we can knock down our shots and do our job it opens up the floor for everyone,” Matthews noted. “Anyone can get in and drive because of spacing.”

The Tigers and Gators each scored 12 points in the third quarter. In the final quarter, Sacred Heart outscored Greenwich Academy, 20-7, including a 17-4 spurt to end the game.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Emma Matthews shoots a 3-pointer for Sacred Heart vs. GA.

“We executed at times, we got the looks, we handled their pressure. We just have to finish a little bit more down the stretch,” Griffith said. “The reality is we have a really young team, so handling that pressure is great for them and their development. “I’m really proud of our two seniors Ruby Montanez and Eliza Babyak (two points). They played really strong. That’s a really strong team and this is a learning experience for us. Mallory (Walker) does a great job on the inside. She’s such a strong player, she is so good with her ability to move and finish around the basket. Madison Hurns – defensively she can hang with anyone in the state.

Xoe Henry, an eighth grader added two points for the Tigers, who are 3-0 in FAA play.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Greenwich Academy’s Aneka Lakhami takes a foul shot versus Sacred Heart Greenwich.

“We have three pretty big games and we are preparing a lot this week and I think we are going to be ready for them and play our game,” Matthews said of the games Sacred Heart will be competing in this weekend up at Noble and Greenough School.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Sacred Heart’s Xoe Henry shoots a layup against Greenwich Academy on Dec. 18, 2024, at Greenwich Academy in an FAA varsity basketball game.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Sacred Heart Greenwich senior Mackenzie Gillen shoots a 3-pointer from the corner in a recent varsity basketball game against host Greenwich Academy. The Tigers were victorious and are unbeaten.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro:** Eliza Babyak takes a jump shot for GA vs. SHG.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro:** Lucianna Parrotta of the Tigers of Sacred Heart Greenwich takes a shot in the lane while being defended by Zoey Taylor (No. 15) of the Gators of Greenwich Academy at GA on Dec. 17, 2024. SHG won the game, 69-29.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro:** Greenwich Academy junior Mallory Walker dribbles the ball in the low post while being guarded by Sacred Heart Greenwich senior Jada Henry in FAA varsity basketball action.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Members of the Sacred Heart Greenwich varsity basketball team and their coaches react during their road game against rival Greenwich Academy on Dec. 17, 2024.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Sacred Heart senior Aisha Hassan, left, dribbles the ball up the court while being defended by Greenwich Academy senior Ruby Montanez during a varsity basketball game on Dec. 18, 2024.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Eva Wilkerson of SHG battles for the ball during a matchup against host GA.

**Photo courtesy of Antonio Monteiro**: Greenwich Academy’s Madison Hurns takes a jump shot, while being defended by Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Adrian Allegretti.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Greenwich Academy hosted Sacred Heart Greenwich in FAA varsity basketball action.

**Photo by Antonio Monteiro**: Sacred Heart Greenwich and Greenwich Academy renewed their neighborhood basketball rivalry on Dec. 18, 2024, at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich.

Photos by Antonio Monteiro: To the left, Sacred Heart’s Lucianna Parrotta in action. To the right, Greenwich Academy’s Mirabel Rodgers dribbles the ball.