Jack Cooley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, as Notre Dame wins its first game as a ranked team.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2011-12): Lone freshman on the Irish roster ... should see significant minutes in his rookie season ... tough, hard-nosed competitor ... versatile scorer with a strong offense game, but will also contribute as a rebounder ... see the court well and can effectively distribute the ball ... has a great feel for the game and is unselfish player whose overall skills will be a great fit for Notre Dame's style of play.
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at St. John's Prep, where he is the all-time leading scorer (1,713 points) ... played under the guidance of head coach Sean Connolly ... averaged 23 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists during his high school career ... team captured the state title during his senior season ... 2011 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Massachusetts ... 2011 ESPN Mr. Basketball for Massachusetts ... ranked 73rd nationally by Scout.com and 100th by ESPNU ... two-time all-state selection and three-time all-conference pick, including being named the conference's MVP as a junior and senior ... three-time team captain ... copped team MVP honors during his final three seasons ... two-time conference champion ... squad posted a 46-4 record during his junior and senior seasons ... helped lead his team to a 3-0 record at the 2010 AAU National Showcase in Orlando, Fla. ... averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds per game at the 2010 AAU Nationals ... also a standout pitcher in baseball ... will suit up for the Fighting Irish baseball squad ... selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2011 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft in the 50th round ... consistently hits 90-plus mph on the radar gun ... earned all-state honors in baseball during his senior season in addition to being a three-time all-conference performer ... MVP of the 2010 Massachusetts state baseball tournament (North Division) ... as a senior, posted an 11-2 record with a 1.75 earned-run average and 160 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched ... also played third base ... batted .400 with a .750 slugging percentage as a senior ... lettered in football as a quarterback during his freshman and sophomore seasons ... starred for MIddlesex Magic AAU team under Mike Crotty.
PERSONAL: Full name is Patrick Bergin Connaughton ... born 1-6-93 in Arlington, Mass. ... son of Leonard and Susan Connaughton ... father played football at Framingham State College ... uncle, Richard, played baseball at Springfield College ... member of the National Honor Society in high school ... enrolled in Notre Dame's First Year of Studies program.
