After going 2-0 against Valley Christian and Saint Francis two weeks ago, the Sacred Heart Cathedral Boys Basketball team struggled against two of the top four teams in the WCAL, losing three league games to Archbishop Riordan, Junipero Serra, and Bellarmine.

Facing first place Riordan at home last Tuesday, the Irish (9-10 overall, 2-7 in league) could not stop the top team despite leading 17-15 after the first quarter, dropping a league game 71-49.

There were some quality performances from the SHC players led by senior guard Fedrick Pernell, who led the Irish with 23 points, shooting 50% from the field while dropping in two of his three 3-pointers. Senior forward Jonah Goorin added 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist. 

A solid second and fourth quarter, where Riordan outscored the Irish by 22 points, sealed the victory for the Crusaders.

Two days later the SHC boys' tipped off against the fourth best team in the WCAL, the Serra Padres. On the road this year the Irish have actually had some success going 3-4 while only going 1-5 at home. Last Thursday was not one of those road wins for SHC as the Padres won 73-49.

Once again the Irish had some standout performances, including three players in double figures. Pernell and Goorin scored 17 and 13, respectively, while senior Jack Kennedy added 10 points and 7 boards. Goorin also had eight rebounds, while senior guard Zemaury Erfe dished out five assists.

Back home at the SHC Pavilion, the Irish could not end their two game skid and fell to Bellarmine 62-44.

"It is a long season," head coach Caesar Smith said on the recent losses. "These are opportunities for us to fix things for the playoffs."

The Irish will be back in action at the Pavilion on Wednesday, January 31st, against their rival Saint Ignatius in a rematch of the Bruce Mahoney Game, where the Wildcats won 69-51.

"More consistent play," Smith said, is necessary for the Irish to come out on top in the rematch against their rivals.

GO IRISH!