Mike Busillo, the girls basketball coach at Sheehan High School in Connecticut, has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the current season. After spending 20 years leading the team, his departure coincides with the graduation of his daughter, Gabby, who is a senior on the squad. “It’s been fun, a heck of a ride with her,” Busillo remarked about their shared journey.
Under Busillo’s leadership, Sheehan achieved a significant milestone last year by winning the state championship title for the first time since 1976. The team triumphed over East Catholic to secure the Class MM championship, marking a pinnacle moment in the program’s history. Prior to this victory, Busillo had guided the team to the finals in both 2019 and 2024 but faced defeats in those matches.
Team Performance and Key Players
This season, Sheehan has recorded a commendable 15-3 record, despite facing challenges, including the absence of senior point guard Jenna Wreisen due to an ACL tear. Wreisen made her return three games ago, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s performance. “She worked her tail off after tearing her ACL nine months ago,” Busillo noted. “It’s been a nice lift for us. We’re ecstatic she’s back.”
Megan Wreisen, Jenna’s sister, has stepped up in her absence and currently leads the team in scoring, averaging nearly 21 points per game. “She’s had an unbelievable year,” Busillo stated, highlighting the contributions of his senior players.
Despite two losses to last year’s Class LL champion Sacred Heart and a narrow defeat to North Haven on January 16, the team has managed to avoid significant setbacks. “What we’ve done is avoid the bad loss so far,” Busillo said. “We’ve won all the games we were expected to win on paper. That’s to our credit because Jenna’s a big part of what we’ve done. We’ve had great senior leadership.”
Highlights from the Season
Several standout performances have marked the season so far. Payton Balducci from Hale Ray scored 16 points in a win against Old Saybrook, while DeMya Barrett led Comp Sci with 17 points to secure victory over East Windsor. Senior Maya Betts from East Granby made headlines by hitting five three-pointers, contributing to her team’s win over Rockville.
Alyssa Diehl from Bolton achieved remarkable scoring feats, netting 28 points in a decisive victory against Putnam and 25 points against Lyman Memorial. Other notable performances came from Amelia Faienza of New Britain, Kelsey LaMay from Rocky Hill, and Sadie Passante of Morgan, showcasing the depth of talent across the league.
Looking ahead, the Sheehan Titans are set to face North Haven again on Tuesday, February 6, at 18:00. The last matchup resulted in a close 40-38 defeat for Sheehan, and both teams enter the game with similar records of 15-3.
As the season progresses, all eyes are on Busillo and his team as they aim for another championship title, a fitting way for the coach to conclude his illustrious career on the court. With strong leadership from the seniors and the return of key players, the Sheehan Titans are poised for an exciting finish to the season.
