Revamped SHU rejuvenated for run to postseason
For the first two decades of its Division I era, Sacred Heart women’s basketball never missed the conference playoffs while maintaining success in the regular season and playoffs.
After two seasons in which the program missed the playoffs and fell in the quarterfinals, head coach Jessica Mannetti has hit the reset button in hopes of getting back on track.
“We were able to part ways with some players that weren’t connecting to the culture of the program. It was a really positive thing,” Mannetti said. “The upperclassmen now have done a tremendous job leading the way with the new players. I think ignorance is bliss at the moment. They haven’t had the experience of going through a regular season. It’s a totally different team than last season.”
After losing eight players from last season’s roster due to either graduation or transferring, Mannetti has brought in a mix of freshmen and transfers while reestablishing the expectations she sets for her program. Part of setting the expectation is relying on upperclassmen and returning players to lead the way.
“I definitely wanted a step up in that leadership position,” senior Olivia Tucker said. “I had a preseason meeting with the coaches, specifically coach Mannetti. I wanted a step up in that leadership role because I did play a lot of minutes last season and want to be a mentor for the younger players. We hold ourselves to a high standard.”
Tucker returns to Sacred Heart after averaging nine points per game while shooting 38% from three-point range. She will likely jump into a primary scoring role as the Pioneers lose three of their top four scorers from last season.
While the firepower that returns may appear to be lacking, Mannetti has high hopes for the newcomers she brought in, specifically freshman guard Ny’Ceara Pryor. The 5-foot-3 guard from Baltimore was one of the top players in the state of Maryland and will be given the responsibility of running the offense as the starting point guard.
“I’m going to call it now that she is going to be in contention for league Rookie of the Year,” Mannetti said. “She has the biggest court presence you’ll ever see. She does things with the ball that you have to witness to understand. She is going to be a huge catalyst for us.”
Along with Pryor, transfers Sajada Bonner and Ciara Brannon will find themselves as a part of the rotation this season.
Sacred Heart was selected to finish sixth out of nine teams in the Northeast Conference. With conference foes Merrimack and Stonehill not eligible for the conference tournament as a result of transitioning to the Division I level, a championship is for the taking across the remaining seven teams.
“To us, polls are a great way to see where we are in the standings and where coaches think we are,” Tucker said. “It gives us an opportunity to prove them wrong. When we step onto the court, our chemistry and energy is through the roof. I think everyone is hungry and humble this season. I feel like it’s anyone’s game.”
The Pioneers open the season on Monday as they welcome Hartford to the Pitt Center.