Legendary Harvard-Westlake girls coach Melissa Hearlihy looks out for boys, hopes for historic sweep

Shortly after Wolverines record 60-45 win over Colfax, she expresses gratitude for the boys' support

SI Editorial | Mar 9, 2024

SACRAMENTO — She had just celebrated her second state title and 839th victory, when Harvard-Westlake girls basketball Melissa Hearlihy was asked how her program and the boys team co-mingled.

The programs can become the 12th in modern history (since 1981) to win state titles the same season from the same schools.

Harvard-Westlake's boys play Salesian for the Open Division title at 8 p.m.

Harvard-Westlake's Melissa Hearlihy talks evolution of women's basketball on Southern Section Sitdown

The girls beat Colfax 60-45 for the D2 championship earlier in the afternoon. She sits behind Mater Dei's Kevin Kiernan, who just announced his retirement this season at 900 wins.

Hearilihy told a hilarious story of how the boys — particularly star players Trent Perry and Nikolas Khamenia — have supported the girls and how "excited" the girls are to cheer the Wolverines toward history tonight.

(See her answer above)

Check out the schools who have accomplished the dual championships previously.