Players at
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) and
St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) probably have an appreciation for the tradition their respective coaches have built at the small private schools located less than 15 miles apart.
Bob Hurley, St. Anthony
Photo by Lonnie Webb
But it would be hard for them to completely wrap their mind around the dynamics that make Wednesday's meeting between the bitter rivals so incredibly unique.
And that's a good thing. Otherwise the gravity of the moment would likely be overwhelming for the two dozen teenagers that will take the floor at Rutgers University in New Jersey's Non-Public North B finals.
Here are the events – dating back 22 years – that have helped make No. 1 St. Patrick vs. No. 2 St. Anthony the biggest high school basketball game in recent history;
March 19, 1989 – St. Anthony beats
Elizabeth to win New Jersey's first Tournament of Champions. The Friars would go on to be named national champions by USA Today.
March 24, 1998 – St. Patrick captures its first Tournament of Champions crown with a 62-49 win over
Seton Hall Prep (West Orange). The Celtics would win four more over the next 10 years.
March 7, 2005 – St. Patrick dominates St. Anthony 67-51 in the Non-Public North B semifinals.
March 8, 2006 – St. Patrick ends St. Anthony's season for the second year in a row, beating the Friars 41-32 in the Non-Public North B finals.
March 7, 2007 – A three-peat of sorts for the Celtics as they end St. Anthony's season for the third year in a row in the Non-Public North B finals, 62-46.
March 5, 2008 – The Friars finally strike back, beating St. Patrick 64-52 in the Non-Public North B finals. More than a dozen future Division I players take the floor in the contest. St. Anthony captured its 10th Tournament of Champions title, finished the season 32-0 and was a consensus mythical national champion.
Dec. 22, 2010 – After 10 appearances in the City of Palms Classic, St. Patrick gets a buzzer-beater from senior guard
Jarrel Lane to beat
Milton (Ga.) for the tournament title. The Celtics move to No. 2 in the national rankings.
Jan. 18, 2011 – St. Patrick takes over No. 1 ranking in Xcellent 25. St. Anthony climbs to No. 3 after crushing storied
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) 75-25 at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
Jan. 23, 2011 – St. Anthony moves to No. 2 in the Xcellent 25, where it would stay looking up at St. Patrick for the next five weeks.
March 6, 2011 – St. Patrick beats
Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone) 69-41 to improve to 26-0 and advance to the Non-Public North B finals.
March 7, 2011 – St. Anthony completes the dream final, beating
Oratory Prep (Summit) 92-32 and upping its record to 28-0.
