The Saint Patrick Shamrocks swept a pair of rivalry games last week, improving their record to 5-1 on the year. On Tuesday night the Shamrocks defeated the Crusaders of Brother Rice 67-49, and on Friday night they beat Notre Dame on the Dons’ home floor by a score of 58-50.

Sam Maniscalco was unstoppable against Brother Rice. Maniscalco scored nine points in the first quarter, then keyed a huge second quarter with 15 points as the Shamrocks blew the game open, building a 41-23 halftime advantage. Maniscalco then helped Saint Patrick hang on to their lead, making eight straight free throws in the fourth quarter. Maniscalco finished with 39 points on 12 of 15 shooting from the field, including 5 for 6 from three-point range, and a perfect 10-10 from the line. Jimmy Larkin added eight points as the Shamrocks defeated the Crusaders for the second straight year.

On Friday night Saint Patrick took on Notre Dame in Niles. The Shamrocks have dominated this series, winning seven straight games at Notre Dame and 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams. The Dons came out determined to change that trend, and they took a 24-21 lead into the half. Saint Patrick coach Mike Bailey must have given quite a half time speech, because his Shamrocks practically ran the Dons out of the gym in the third quarter, with a 17-3 run that gave Saint Patrick a 38-27 lead heading into the final quarter. Maniscalco, David Campbell and Jerome Robinson and Mike Mockler led the way in the third quarter. Maniscalco and Bradley Bruno combined to make 9 of 12 free throws to ice the game in the fourth quarter. Maniscalco finished with a team-high 20 points, six steals and three assists. Edmond O’Callaghan chipped in with eight points, and Mockler, Robinson, and Larkin all scored six points.

The Shamrocks travel to Westchester on Friday night, where they will take on the second-ranked Chargers of St. Joseph. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.