[Stardust]

SACRED HEART

Coach: Donna Moir (21st year).


Last season: 23-6, lost to Mercy 67-48 in Seventh Region quarterfinal.


Player to watch: Raven Merriweather, a 5-6 sophomore guard, will shoulder a bigger load after the loss of six seniors. She averaged just 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds last season, but Moir considers her a legitimate All-State candidate.


Other top players: G Jade Tubb (5-7, Sr., 3.7 ppg); G Kristin Matula (5-7, Jr., 0.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg); C Jazmin Smith (6-1, Sr., 1.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg); DaiJia Ruffin (5-9, So.); Corinne Peabody (5-9, Jr.); Julia Stough (5-9, Sr.); Sandy Gahafer (5-9, Sr., 2.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg).


Outlook: The Valkyries lost their top five scorers but still expect to contend for the regional title, with the backcourt of Merriweather, Tubb and Matula leading the way. Gahafer, back from an ACL injury, is a versatile player and will provide leadership. Ruffin, who saw significant playing time as a seventh- and eighth-grader at Butler, could emerge as a top scorer and rebounder. “We will have plenty of speed and be good defensively,” Moir said. “Finding offense from new players will be the challenge.”