Sacred Heart Conquers GRC, Eyes 4th Straight Crown

In a clash of basketball titans at the famed Rupp Arena, Sacred Heart’s dynasty reigned supreme once again. The top-ranked Valkyries, gunning for an unprecedented fourth straight state title, flexed their championship muscle and downed a game George Rogers Clark squad 57-46 in the opening round of the Mingua Beef Jerky/KHSAA Sweet 16.

For a fleeting seven minutes, GRC appeared primed to pull off the upset, storming out to a blistering 21-10 lead behind Kennedy Stamper’s sharpshooting. But in that pivotal second quarter, the experienced Valkyries snapped into lockdown mode, pitching a 10-minute scoreless stretch that ultimately flipped the script.

“It looked kind of dismal after that first quarter when we gave up 21 points,” admitted Sacred Heart coach Donna Moir. “I was real proud of our girls that they stayed in the moment. We came out and defended in the second quarter.”

Offense, though, remained the stable currency for Sacred Heart. Angelina Pelayo torched the nets for 20 points and 10 rebounds, leaving GRC coach Robbie Graham to lament, “Pelayo is a tough matchup for us.” The 6-foot-3 junior was the beneficiary of pinpoint passing from ZaKiyah Johnson, the newly-minted Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year.

Johnson orchestrated the attack with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, her court vision consistently finding Pelayo for high-percentage looks. “I basically live with her, so we probably have that sister connection in there,” joked Johnson. “I’m always going to find her.”

While the high-scoring duo grabbed headlines, it was Sacred Heart’s unheralded contributors who left their imprint. Senior Claire Russell turned in a workhorse performance with 11 rebounds, embracing her role as Sacred Heart’s unsung hero. “I know I’m not the best offensive player there is out there, so I let my teammates do that work,” she said. “I know they trust me to do all the little things.”

For GRC and their freshman phenom Stamper (13 points), the Sweet 16 exit stings. But an improbable rally, pulling within 31-30 in the third period, served notice this upstart program could be a factor for years to come if Robbie Graham’s bunch stays the course.

All eyes now turn to Friday’s clash between Sacred Heart and Bethlehem, an enticing matchup pitting two top-10 national recruits in Johnson (#5) and the Banshees’ Leah Macy (#8). A showdown months in the making.

Yet Sacred Heart remains unfazed by the bright lights. “You can never overlook anyone here,” cautioned Moir, “and I think we’ll be ready for them.”

For these battle-tested Valkyries, the hunt for an unprecedented fourth consecutive crown marches on, their legacy-defining quarter underway in the Bluegrass State.