St. Viator pays back St. Patrick

The Senior Surge continued Friday for St. Viator's boys basketball team at Cahill Gymnasium against St. Patrick.

The Lions avenged a December loss at St. Patrick by giving the Shamrocks their third loss in their last four games with a 68-56 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory.

"This time we were ready for them," said Lions guard Alan Aboona. "We were able to move the ball around their 1-3-1 defense. We were able to get inside on them. On defense we kept them away from the basket and forced them to shoot from the outside, which they don't like to do. We just outplayed them on both ends of the court."

Aboona led the Lions (19-6, 7-5) with 19 points and 5 assists. Jack Etchingham had 15 points. Richard Markovits and Richard McLoughlin each had 8 points.

McLoughlin did not play in the second half after getting poked in the eye late in the first half.

"A lot of guys stepped up for us," said Viator coach Joe Majkowski. "Etchingham moved the ball well around the court and gave us some big baskets. Markovits and Julian Sipiora (6 points, 2 blocks) also stepped up."

The Shamrocks (15-9, 7-5) led once at 5-3. Leading 11-10, the Lions went on a 14-0 run that covered the last 2:36 of the first quarter and the first 2:34 of the second quarter.

St. Patrick clawed back to 34-27 early in the third quarter before Aboona hit two sizzling 3s. That helped spark a 12-4 run to finish the quarter with a 52-36 lead.

"You expect that type of game from Aboona," said Majkowski. "He's a three-year starter. He knows what to do."

The Shamrocks hit 12 three-points baskets and were led by Julian Reed's 18 points, all from long range. Kortney Darby added 11 points.

St. Patrick lost four players to fouls and the Lions took advantage, hitting 22-of-31 free throws to the Shamrocks' 2 of 4.