Sacred Heart women aim to retool with young roster
Leatherwood (Second Team) and Erin Storck (Third Team) — cited as AllConference last season. They were three of the team’s top four scorers, accounting for close to 40 points per game.
And the team’s best returning player, junior guard Adrianne Hagood (11.2 points), is out with a shoulder injury as the season begins.
So…
“We are staying very basic right now,” Mannetti said. “But I’m excited to see how things shake out as we move forward. Lots of learning to be done still, but they’re really hungry so it’s fun to coach.”
Mannetti runs a motion offense that requires a level of expertise. The summer was spent teaching the offense to the newcomers, while preseason has been devoted to defense. Mannetti figures an aggressive, highenergy defense will overcompensate for the team’s lack of experience.
She’s also relying heavily on the returning players. Junior guard Olivia Dabney, sister of UConn great Maya Moore, averaged 6.2 points off the bench before an injury ended her season in February. Senior guard Allyson Murphy (5.0 points) started 22 games.
But as the season begins Wednesday night at Seton Hall, the Pioneers are inexperienced and injuryriddled — there are just seven healthy players on the roster.
“Sometimes injuries at the beginning of the season give these younger kids a chance to play,” Mannetti said. “That experience proves so valuable in January and February. … Sometimes going through it at the beginning having to take some hits early ends up working out for you long term, down the road. At least that’s my optimistic hope.”