The Saint Patrick Shamrocks opened the 2005-2006 season by sweeping three games to win the annual Max Kurland Thanksgiving Tournament. The Shamrocks soundly defeated Streamwood, and North Chicago before pulling out a 52-48 win over Fenwick on Saturday night. Sam Maniscalco was spectacular in taking home the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award. Maniscalco averaged over 28 points per game, including a career-high 38 points against Fenwick, shot 66% from the floor and dished out 12 assists for the weekend. Mike Giller and Jack McKenna joined Maniscalco on the All-Tournament Team for Saint Patrick.

In the opener, the Shamrocks ran out to an early lead and pulled away with 23 fourth-quarter points in a 68-46 win over the Sabres of Streamwood High School. Maniscalco paced the Shamrocks with a game high 20 points, while McKenna chipped in with 11 points and five assists. Michael Fahey came off the bench to contribute nine points and seven rebounds, and Edmond O’Callaghan added eight points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.

On Friday night Saint Patrick used a 15-2 second quarter run to pull away from North Chicago in an 85-56 victory. Maniscalco starred for the Shamrocks again, scoring a game-high 27 points on nine of eleven shooting from the floor, handing out five assists and recording three steals. Giller displayed his all-around game with eight points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. McKenna had another solid effort with 11 point, five rebounds and four assists.

Saturday night, the Shamrocks faced the Friars of Fenwick. With a capacity crowd on hand, the Shamrocks got out to an early 12-3 lead and finished the first quarter ahead by a score of 18-9. The Shamrock lead grew to 14 when a Maniscalco three-pointer made it 27-13 with just over five minutes remaining in the half, but the Shamrocks wouldn’t score again in the next six and a half minutes. A 9-0 run by the Friars made it 27-22, and the Shamrocks maintained that margin into the fourth quarter. A pair of McKenna free throws made it 48-42 with 6:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. Fenwick took the lead with a 7-0 run over the next minute. Maniscalco answered for the Shamrocks with a pair of lay-ups to regain the lead. Maniscalco then protected the lead for Saint Patrick by going a perfect eight for eight from the free throw line in the final two minutes for the 62-58 victory. Maniscalco finished the night with 38 points on 10-15 shooting from the field and 14-15 shooting from the free-throw line. McKenna added eight points and five assists for the Shamrocks.

The Shamrocks take their perfect 3-0 record on the road this weekend, as they face the Lions of Saint Viator in Arlington Heights on Friday, December 2.