Lesson learned

0
92


NAUGATUCK — Heated debates have taken place in the NVL the past two weeks about the comparison between this year’s Sacred Heart boys basketball team and the Crosby High team from 2005.

Regardless of which side is taken, there is absolutely no denying that coach Jon Caroll’s Hearts are good. Very good, and Naugy head coach Mike Wilson learned that the hard way last Friday in Edward Mariano Gymnasium, where the Greyhounds received their second loss to the first-ranked Hearts, 88-59.

Naugy did show some signs of life with a little run in the second quarter. Outside of that, however, it was completely Sacred Heart from the opening tip until the JV players entered in the fourth quarter.

Sacred Heart led by 11 after the first quarter and 20 at halftime.

Even though Wilson and his team learned how legitimate this Sacred Heart team really is, they also learned a lesson about themselves.

“It was a tough lesson learned,” Wilson said. “We got a lot of work to do the rest of the season. The details and the fundamentals on the defensive end, we have to continue to work on.”

While Wilson said the team’s defense could have been better. There is no doubt that Sacred Heart, who already has a high-powered offense, simply was not missing on Naugy. The game’s scoring leader, Mustapha Heron, had a career-high 46 points, including six three-pointers.

It did not matter who Wilson put on Heron on this night. He made shots from all over, even with a hand in his face. At one point, he made a three from deep behind the top of the key.

Even Wilson could not believe what he was seeing.

“That boy (Heron) is the next level,” the Naugy coach said.

Wilson did point out that his team became frustrated throughout the game because of the roll that the Hearts were on, and that frustration may have lead to more Sacred Heart baskets.

“We absolutely got frustrated,” said Wilson, whose team still should not be disappointed by its 7-2 start. “Sometimes we got frustrated off a missed shot, so we would not get back on D.”

Naugy still has high hopes heading in to the second half of the season. Their schedule gets a bit easier and their leading scorer, Jarron Chapman, returned from his suspension the game before Sacred Heart at Holy Cross, where he dropped 38 in an overtime victory.

Chapman was Naugy’s top guy again last Friday, notching 21 points, while point guard Dayvon Russell added 10.

One thing that Wilson said stayed consistent in the loss was the Greyhounds’ heart and level of intensity, which is a good sign for the last 11 games.

“As far as effort is concerned, we gave a lot of heart. No doubt about that,” he said.

Naugatuck will play Torrington Thursday, host Derby on Friday and visit Watertown Feb. 3.