The Sacred Heart Academy Sharks of Hamden defeated Southington High Sunday for the CIAC Class LL state girls basketball championship.
Patch Staff
|Updated Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 6:29 am ET
Freshman guard Neria Maule scans the Sacred Heart defense in the first half on Sunday. (Michael Lemanski/Patch)
Southington senior Lily Cooper became the all-time leading scorer in program history, surpassing the mark in Sunday's CIAC state title game. (Michael Lemanski/Patch)
UNCASVILLE, CT — One year ago, Sacred Heart Academy endured a crushing CIAC championship game loss to crosstown rival Hamden High in the Mohegan Sun Arena.
But it was that experience that, seemingly, allowed the Sharks to weather a first-half attack by the Southington High School Blue Knights Sunday as they sought redemption.
When the horn sounded, Sacred Heart did what they couldn't do a year ago.
They won the 2025 CIAC Class LL state girls basketball championship, 57-47, Sunday in the same place as last year's disappointment.
"I'm just so proud of our team. We fought so hard," an ecstatic Sacred Heart coach Jason Kirck said amid a wild, post-game celebration in the arena. "They amaze me every time they step on the court."
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When the game concluded, it touched off one of the wildest post-game celebrations of Championship Weekend, as delirium overtook the "Shark Tank" student section, with the giddy throng singing the official song of the all-girls Catholic academy.
The well-balanced Sharks were led by senior guard Emily Mennillo, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and junior Madelyn Burke, who had 11 points and nine boards.
Going into Sunday evening's Class LL contest, second-seed Southington was 22-1 (including tournament play) while Sacred Heart, the fourth seed, was 21-2.
The Blue Knights, coached by Howard Hewitt, were striving for the program's eighth state title and first since 1993.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart Sharks from Hamden were seeking the school's fourth championship and first since 2022.
In the first quarter, Southington and Sacred Heart raced up and down the floor in a fast-paced and well-played contest, neither side showing any title jitters early.
The quarter was highlighted by senior Southington guard Lilly Cooper becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Blue Knights.
Eventually, Southington's speed and athleticism briefly broke open an even contest.
Utilizing a pressing defense and an offense predicated on attacking the rim, Southington ended the quarter up 17-10, with senior forward Hannah Blanchard pouring in 6 points.
Play became a bit erratic in the second quarter, with turnovers and missed shots slowing down the scoring, but not the game's pace.
A three-point play by sophomore Mila Harmon of Sacred Heart cut the lead to 23-19 Southington with about three minutes left in the half.
Then Southington freshman Ariana Quick banked in a three, putting some distance between the Blue Knights and the Sharks, 26-19.
Harmon hit a jumper for Sacred Heart and a putback by Shark sophomore Alexis Powell further cut into Southington's lead, leading to a 26-23 halftime score in favor of the Blue Knights.
The second half then became Shark time, as Sacred Heart started strong in the second half, briefly taking a 28-25 lead before Southington tied it at 28-28.
Junior guard Molly Gunning of Sacred Heart then drained a three to put the Sharks up 31-28, further fueling the game's fast pace.
The Blue Knights continued to struggle on offense and the defensive boards, allowing the Sharks to distance themselves to a 34-28 lead.
Sacred Heart's surging third quarter ended with the Sharks holding a 38-32 lead and one quarter away from making the bad feelings of 2024 disappear.
As the fourth quarter started with a lid on Southington's hoop, Sacred Heart went up eight, 40-32, their biggest lead at that point.
As the game entered the 5-minute mark, Sacred Heart had a 42-34 lead, which ballooned after Mennillo scored after a drive and foul.
Though she missed the freebie, it made the score 44-34 Sacred Heart, putting the Golden Knights in desperation mode.
From there, the Sharks went into clock-killing mode while, still, executing their offense.
A basket-and-foul three-point play by Burke ballooned the lead to 13 at 47-34.
Southington cut it to 10 on a three-pointer, but the clock was the enemy as much as the Sacred Heart play.
Despite Southington's best efforts down the stretch, the outcome was never in doubt as Sacred Heart hit enough free throws to keep Southington at bay despite the Blue Knights' three-point shooting down the stretch.
Kirck said it was all a matter of playing tough defense all game long and executing.
"We bought into our defensive philosophies and we tried to guard them as best as we can," Kirck said, complimenting the talent and effort of Southington, who never quit.
When the buzzer eventually sounded, it was redemption for Sacred Heart.
And it couldn't have been any sweeter.
For the full game statistics from the CIAC, click on this link.
From March 17, 2024: 'Hamden Defeats Crosstown Sacred Heart To Win Girls Hoops Crown
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