The Sacred Heart and Holy Cross basketball teams will renew their rivalries on Tuesday night.
On the boys side, it’s a battle of unbeatens as Holy Cross (4-0) hosts three-time defending state champion Sacred Heart (2-0) at 7 p.m. The Crusaders are off to a terrific start under first-year head coach Ryan Olsen, but they meet their biggest challenge in the Hearts of Jon Carroll.
For the girls, Sacred Heart (4-2) hosts Holy Cross (5-1) at 7 p.m. inside Alumni Hall. The Hearts are coming off of two straight wins in their own holiday tournament. The Crusaders have won three straight games since their only defeat of the season.
That’s the quick look at the games. Here’s a more in-depth view:
BOYS: SACRED HEART AT HOLY CROSS, 7 p.m.
Where: Tim McDonald Gymnasium (The Pit)
Records: Sacred Heart 2-0, Holy Cross 4-0
Last time out: Sacred Heart played St. Paul way back on Dec. 22 and won easily 75-40 in Bristol. Holy Cross blew out New Britain at home, 64-41 on Dec. 29.
Last year’s meetings: 3-0 Sacred Heart — 77-65 at Sacred Heart; 101-66 at Holy Cross; 86-56 at Wilby (NVL Tournament semifinal)
Who has led the way?: Sacred Heart — Raheem Solomon and Courie Stevenson have been the best for the Hearts, though they’ve had plenty of company from others like Legend Johnson, Isaiah Gaiter and Tariq Price. Holy Cross — Look no further than Nyzair Rountree, Kerson Etienne and DeAndre Wallace. Rountree and Etienne have been scoring the while Wallace has both scored and pounded the glass.
GIRLS: HOLY CROSS AT SACRED HEART, 7 p.m.
Where: Alumni Hall
Records: Holy Cross 5-1, Sacred Heart 4-2
Last time out: Holy Cross throttled Lauralton Hall 45-14 in Milford on Dec. 30. Sacred Heart held off Joel Barlow of Redding 36-31 on Dec. 30 to claim the Hearts Holiday Tournament title.
Last year’s meetings: 2-0 Holy Cross — 75-33 at Holy Cross; 54-29 at Sacred Heart.
Who has led the way: Holy Cross — Idalis Miranda, Aiyana Ward and Meah Austin — a senior and two juniors — have been the top players for the Crusaders. Sacred Heart – Jenna Madigan and Aamya Rivera were selected to the Hearts Holiday all-tournament team following strong efforts against Naugatuck and Joel Barlow.
