Marcaccini, Notre Dame Rout Crespi

Practice? Who needs practice?

Monte Marcaccini doesn’t.

Marcaccini, Notre Dame High’s 6-foot-5 standout swingman, has not practiced extensively in about three weeks because of tendinitis in his knees.

No big deal.

Marcaccini recorded his second consecutive 29-point game Wednesday night, leading Notre Dame to a 75-52 Mission League victory against host Crespi.

Marcaccini actually practiced on the side for about 20 minutes Tuesday, but that has been the extent of his practice time since the Knights ended their nonleague schedule Dec. 21.

“If he practices 24 hours before a game he can’t do anything in the game,” Notre Dame Coach Mick Cady said.

Crespi Coach Paul Radenberg did not seem surprised that a player could go so long without practice and still rip his team apart.

“In high school, it’s possible to just turn it on,” he said.

Marcaccini, who has signed to play at Indiana next season, not only turned himself on but his teammates and the Notre Dame fans in attendance.

He had three dunks, the most memorable coming on his final shot. He grabbed a perfect alley-oop pass from point guard Craig Johnson and slammed the ball through to give Notre Dame a 64-43 lead with 3 minutes 20 seconds to play.

Marcaccini, who grabbed 15 rebounds, was so high he nearly bumped his head on the rim.

Sensing that would be a nice way for Marcaccini to end his night, Cady pulled his star off the floor.

Notre Dame, after all, had its seventh consecutive victory safely in hand. The Knights are 11-3, 2-0 in Mission play, after starting the season by losing two of their first three games and three of their first seven.

Cady said Wednesday’s game was Notre Dame’s best this season.

“For the talent we have--we don’t have the players to go 94 feet up and down the court--we have to be patient and look for our shots,” Cady said. “And we did that.”

Crespi (4-8, 0-2) played an even slower--coaches like to call it deliberate--style.

“We have to be patient and look for the open shot,” Radenberg said. “I look for all of my players to touch the ball every time down the court.”

After taking a 2-0 lead, the Celts were held scoreless for more than three minutes while Notre Dame reeled off seven points, six by Marcaccini.

After the game, Marcaccini, sore knees and all, said the Knights still have room for improvement.

“I don’t think we’re playing our best basketball yet,” he said, “but we’re playing pretty good.”