SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seventh-grader Harlow Andrews scored a game-high 12 points in the title game after eighth-grader Giuliana Bernacchi poured in 18 in the semifinal, each earning all-tournament honors and leading Sacred Heart to the team title at St. Francis' Parochial Athletic League varsity comp girls' basketball tournament Saturday.
The Panthers defeated St. John Notre Dame, 28-16, in the championship game. Andrews garnered tournament MVP distinction in addition to her all-tourney nod.
In addition to Andrews and Bernacchi, the Sacred Heart roster comprises Emilia Filippini, Renata Gonzalez, Ava Gordon, Molly Laird, Audrey Lippi, Olivia Smith, Ainsley Weitz, Evan Weitz and Goldie West. Jason Smith serves as head coach, while Eddie Bernacchi, Ryan Filippini and David Gordon on the staff as assistant coaches.
The Panthers rolled to victory in the title game, holding SJND scoreless for more than 15 minutes, until Willow Farmer's mid-range jumper put the Fighting Irish on the board with 4:35 to go in the first half. Andrews had three field goals in the initial 10-0 run, while Filippini assisted Smith before converting an assist from Laird for the 10th point.
Sacred Heart expanded its lead to 18-6 when Smith knocked down a three-pointer at the 15:15 mark in the second half, although SJND managed to answer with five quick points: Emily Hunt banked in a three-pointer on the next trip down, then Willow Farmer made both free throws shortly after to reduce the deficit to 18-11. Andrews scored two more field goals in the paint to push Sacred Heart back to a double-digit lead of 22-11 with 7:57 left.
Bernacchi turned a steal into a fast break at 6:33 to make it 24-13, with Andrews and Filippini each hitting second-chance scores down the stretch. SJND's Adia Mueller highlighted the second half with a pair of treys, helping her snare all-tournament honors.
The two-day, six-team tournament consisted of two quarterfinal games on Friday, with Sacred Heart and SJND earning byes to the semifinal. Saturday's slate began with the consolation game, the two semifinals, a third-place game and the championship. All scores plus the all-tourney awards are summarized below:
2025-26 ST. FRANCIS PAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento, Calif.)
February 6-7, 2026
FIRST ROUND
Our Lady of Grace 23, Merryhill 19
St. Ignatius 36, St. Joseph 21
CONSOLATION GAME
Merryhill 41, St. Joseph 16
CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS
Sacred Heart 47, Our Lady of Grace 9
St. John Notre Dame 56, St. Ignatius 19
THIRD PLACE
St. Ignatius 26, Our Lady of Grace 23
CHAMPIONSHIP
Sacred Heart 28, St. John Notre Dame 16
TOURNAMENT MVP
Harlow Andrews (Sacred Heart)
ALL-TOURNAMENT
Giuliana Bernacchi (Sacred Heart)
Adia Mueller (SJND)
Lillyanna Gebhardt (OLG)
Alexa Carissimi (SI)
Caroline Hurst (Merryhill)
Emma Dooley (St. Joe)
