MIDDLETOWN — To answer the question of just how good Mercy’s basketball team is, let’s look at the record.
In its opener, the Tigers crushed Class M semifinalist Notre Dame-Fairfield. In their second game, they dispatched defending Class L champion Hand of Madison.
In its third game, Mercy beat perennial Class LL power Norwich Free Academy and in game four Wednesday night, the Tigers outclassed last year’s Class L finalist Holy Cross of Waterbury 61-23 in front of 200 at Mercy High.
The answer to the question is self-evident.
Mercy wins in lots of ways. On this night, it was Bella Santoro. The point guard had 22 points, including 14 in the first half when the Tigers raced to a 35-12 lead.
“Santoro can score in so many ways,” Mercy coach Tim Kohs said. “She’s a good perimeter shooter, but gets so many offensive rebounds. I think she had eight points tonight on putbacks. And she gets to the rim so well.”
This game was over shortly after the Holy Cross bus arrived. Mercy scored the first 15 points of the game and led 23-3 after one.
“We were great in the first quarter,” Kohs said. “I thought we played well early on other games, we just didn’t make baskets. In our other games we’ve played very well in the second half, but tonight we shot well and played well throughout.
“We got into a good offensive flow, something we haven’t been doing. To be fair, that’s not a vintage Holy Cross team, but still we defended very well.”
Mercy (4-0) built its lead throughout and led 48-19 after three, then coasted home.
“Mercy’s a good team,” Holy Cross coach Frank Lombardo said. “We’re a young team as we start only two seniors, but Mercy is very well-coached and they put pressure on you that we’re not used to and we didn’t do a good job of handling that.”
Nine players scored for Mercy and Meghan DeVille, who ruled the middle on both ends, chipped in with eight points.
No one scored in double figures for Holy Cross (2-1).
Mercy is home against Lauralton Hall Friday at 7 p.m.
MERCY 61, HOLY CROSS 23
Holy Cross3 9 7 4 — 23
Mercy23 12 13 13 — 61
Holy Cross: Julia Mecca 1 0 2, Allie Brown 3 0 8, Hannah Brown 1 0 3, Meah Austin 1 0 2, Aiyanna Ward 1 0 2, Elizabeth Diorio 0 1 1, Ashley Davis 2 1 5. Totals 9 2 23.
Mercy: Bella Santoro 10 1 22, Kameryn King 2 2 7, Lexi Leon 2 0 4, Samantha Chapps 2 2 7, Meghan DeVille 4 0 8, Jessica Carroll 1 0 3, Rachael Cipolla 1 0 2, Vienna Knox 2 0 4, Nicole Bauman 2 0 4. Totals 26 5 61.
Three-point goals: Santoro, King, Chapps, Carroll, A. Brown 2, H. Brown.
Fouled out: None.
Records: Mercy 4-0, Holy Cross 2-1.
