Notre Dame Eliminates Pacifica and Shows Plenty in Reserve

All one needs to know about Notre Dame High’s first-round basketball game in the Division III-A playoffs is Rich Igou scored six points, grabbed two rebounds, had an assist and blocked a shot.

Igou is a Notre Dame reserve who generally spends about as much time on the floor as a helium baloon.

But this was a laugher, and Igou and his end-of-the-bench pals played much of the fourth quarter, finishing a 91-53 victory over visiting Pacifica on Friday night.

The Knights (21-6) made winning the Southern Section title their primary goal after a loss Feb. 5 to Bishop Montgomery squelched their hopes for a Mission League title.

Notre Dame posted convincing victories over St. Bernard and Loyola to conclude the regular season. The Knights played some of their best basketball Friday night, particularly during a third quarter in which they outscored Pacifica, 27-15.

“In one stretch in the third quarter, we really showed what we can do,” Notre Dame Coach Mick Cady said. “We’ve had this potential all year but never really realized it.”

One of the key factors over the past three games has been the play of 6-foot-6 freshman Eddie Miller, who made his debut against Bishop Montgomery after sitting out most of the season with a back injury.

Miller scored 12 points and blocked two shots Friday.

“He gives a big boost to the team and takes some pressure off our other big guys,” said point guard Craig Johnson, who scored 15 points and dished out four assists.

Swingman Monte Marcaccini, who rested his sore knees through most of the fourth quarter, led all scorers with 27 points. He also had nine rebounds.

He said he had mixed feelings about watching the fourth quarter. “I wanted to get a few dunks,” he said, “but in the long run, it’s good for my knees.”

Junior Chris Vlasic led Pacifica (13-10) with 23 points before fouling out with 1.3 seconds to play in the third quarter. The game was over by then, though.

“We were totally outmanned,” Pacifica first-year Coach Dave Brodt said.