Sacred Heart is again the team to beat in Kentucky girls high school basketball

LOUISVILLE , Ky. (WDRB) -- The top-ranked school in Kentucky girls high school basketball is the same school that has won the last four state championships.

It's a different looking Sacred Heart team that is making a push for a 5th consecutive title. Three multi-year starters graduated off last year's squad.

"I think before, people knew what to do," said head coach Donna Moir, referring to the last couple of years. "So we had to go back and really re-teach that. You know, my assistant Amy said 'I feel like we're starting over every day.'"

But they are making progress. Sacred Heart is 11-2 with the only losses coming to Lawrence North from Indianapolis and American Heritage from Plantation, Florida. It definitely helps that the Valkyries still have All-American Zakiyah Johnson. One of the nation's top players, the LSU signee has grown into more of a leadership role as a senior.

"I've always been more of a non-vocal leader," said Johnson. "I kind of show it through my game but this year there's a lot more younger players, less experience, so I have to open my mouth more."

"She's such a fun person to coach," said Moir. "She's got a big personality. She's got a big basketball game. She has a good awareness of what's around her and tries to get other people involved. It's not about her. It's about the team and our team goals and I think that's really special about her."

Johnson put together a tour de force in Sunday's surprisingly one-sided victory over rival and 5th-ranked Assumption — 30 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists as SHA raced out to a 13-0 lead and won 73-42, it's 82nd consecutive in-state win.

"The hype was definitely there," said junior guard Brianna Wilkins. "That was their Super Bowl right there. I mean a lot of teams we play that's their Super Bowl. They circle it on their calendar and they know what's coming. I would just say we knew we had faith in our team. We could play 1 through 12 on the bench and whoever came in we knew we were ready for them. We started strong and got it done."

"We kind of simplified it and figured it out," said Johnson. "It took us a little longer than usual as with any young team, but I'm just excited to see how far we can go in the end."

Sacred Heart plays another national power this Saturday. Incarnate Word from Missouri just had its all-time national record 141-game win streak ended this week. They'll be looking to get another one going when they meet the Valkyries at 2:00 pm at Mercy Academy. That is part of the annual Raatz Fence/O'Shea's Classic.