Last weekend the Saint Patrick Shamrocks beat a traditional rival, and a non-conference foe, setting up the weekend that should decide the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Saint Patrick beat Notre Dame by a score of 46-35 on Friday, and defeated Elk Grove 59-47 on Saturday night. The Shamrocks are now in position to claim their first E.S.C.C. Championship since 2002-2003 with game as against Marist and Saint Joseph this weekend.

On Friday night the Shamrocks broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the Dons 13-4 in the period. Sam Maniscalco had 13 first-half points on his way to a game-high 23. Jerome Robinson added 12 points, Edmond O’Callaghan had six points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, and David Campbell scored five points as only four Shamrocks scored in the game. Saint Patrick has now beaten Notre Dame 17 of the last 18 times the two schools have met on the basketball court.

Saturday the Shamrocks used a third-quarter rally to take the lead, and then they iced the game with near perfect free throw shooting. The Shamrocks and the Grenadiers played the first half pretty evenly; with the Shamrocks taking a 24-21 lead into the half. O’Callaghan and Maniscalco each had eight points in the first half. The Shamrocks opened the game up with 20 points in the third quarter and held on for a 59-47 victory. The Shamrocks made 10 of 11 free throws in the second half, and 13 of 14 for the game. Maniscalco finished with a game-high 21 points, while O’Callaghan scored 14 points. Robinson was the third Shamrock to reach double digits, finishing with 10 points.

The Shamrocks are now 16-4 overall, and 8-1 in conference play. The Shamrocks travel to Marist on Friday night to take on thee third-place Redhawks. The following night the Shamrocks host the team that they are tied with for first place in the conference, when they welcome the Chargers of Saint Joseph. Saint Patrick beat Saint Joseph in December by a score of 57-54 on the Chargers’ home floor.