It was a disappointing weekend for the Pirates as they hosted, and fell to, both cross-town rival Fremd and Maine South.

Friday night pitted Palatine (15-10, 4-4) and Fremd (17-6, 6-2) against each other in competition for second in the conference. The Vikings came out faster and more aggressive than the hosts, leading for all but the first 1:17 of the game.

Fremd’s seniors Patrick Benka and Brian Dompke were too much for the Pirates to handle as they scored 19 and 11 points respectively. Palatine had no answer for the longer, more aggressive Vikings on either end of the court.

The Pirates managed to get the deficit down to seven in the second half after a pitiful first half put them down 31-15 at the break. However, Palatine wasn’t able to take advantage of the missed free throws by the visitors and fell 57-46. Senior Matt Ulrich led the Pirates with 14 points.

Saturday afternoon’s contest had the Pirates playing host to a very tall 18-8 Maine South club. Senior Charlie Van Dyke got off to a blazing start, putting up 14 (20 points total) in the first frame to give the Pirates a 17-13 lead at the end of one. Palatine wasn’t able to get anything going inside the arch in the first half as they scored their first 2-point basket with only a few minutes left in the first half.

“Charlie got us a hot start,” said Palatine coach Eric Millstone. “But we knew Maine South would make some adjustments. Perimeter shots can only get you so far. We just couldn’t get any clean looks inside.”

Maine South used their height to their advantage as they killed the Pirates on rebounds and layups. South was able to out score the hosts in the second 17-5 and took a 30-22 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore Johnny O’Shea put forth a 10 point effort to get Palatine within 10, bit it wasn’t enough. Maine South was able to hold on to, and build, their lead in the fourth to come away 68-47 victors.

The Pirates host Hoffman Estates on Friday for senior night.