Basketball beat: Sacred Heart resilient

It has been a rough month for Sacred Heart so far with wakes and funerals replacing practices resulting in the postponement of two games. The school lost a teacher and the dean of the senior class and a senior died in a car accident.

"They have been physically and emotionally drained," Sacred Heart coach Dennis O'Brien said. "They have had to deal with some real world issues and adversity. I'm very proud of the way they have handled it."

Sacred Heart (10-4, 5-3) is tied for second in the CHSAA. Senior guard Taylor Higgins leads the team with 15 points per game and is joined by junior guards Nina Corcoran and Kyle Carey along with junior forwards Samantha Cody and Becky Conto in the starting lineup. Senior guard Kaitlyn LaCasse is the top reserve.

Friars getting more help?

St. Anthony's is already playing the best basketball on the Island with 13 consecutive wins, including two over defending champion St. John the Baptist. The Friars will have more help on the way shortly. Chastity Taylor, who transferred from Central Islip, is eligible to play on Saturday and Kimani Jackson, who can play in non-league games only, will be eligible to play in all games Feb. 23. Jackson transferred from Half Hollow Hills West.

Yacoubou makes his mark

Achraf Yacoubou was voted first-team all-tournament as Long Island Lutheran had a pair of victories in last weekend's Big Apple Classic at Baruch College. Yacoubou averaged 24 points, 11.5 rebounds, four assists and three steals in victories over Robeson and Rice.