For host Riverside-Brookfield High School, which clinched the Metro Suburban Conference title with a convincing 74-50 Friday night victory over Fenton, perhaps it was a good omen that Damian didn’t show up.

Damian Sieradzki, who poured in 41 points for Fenton during an 84-73 overtime win over RB earlier this season, was ruled academically ineligible for the rivals’ rubber match that decided the conference championship. The teams split their first two meetings with each club holding serve at home.

Although Sieradzki’s 19.8 points and eight rebounds per game clearly would have helped Fenton (10-12, 4-3), the Bulldogs appeared ready to roll from the opening tip.

Celebrating their “Senior Night,” the Bulldogs (15-8, 6-2) raced out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Dan Oswald canned a pull-up jumper to make it 32-22 at the 3:10 mark of the second period. Shane Kilcoyne added an inside bucket to extend the RB lead to 40-24 advantage at the half thanks primarily to the hot hand of Oswald (15 points in the first half).

“We played extremely well,” said RB coach Tom McCloskey. “The half-court execution of our motion offense was very good. Dan Oswald got us going early making 6-of-7 field goals in the first half, and Sean McGonagill was hot in the second half.”

McGonagill, who continues to shine in his return from a major mid-season injury, scored a game-high 19 points, while Oswald contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. Shane Kilcoyne (10 points, 9 rebounds) provided a spark off the bench and Billy Vandemerkt chipped in eight points and seven assists.

Although senior star Chris Parrish only netted nine points, partially due to foul trouble all night, the SIU-bound guard surpassed the 1,500-point career mark in his regular home season finale. Parrish (1,503 points) trails only Randy Ramsey (1,532) on the RB all-time scoring list.

“Chris has had a great career,” McCloskey said. “He’s a great scorer who has had a lot of big games for us this year.”

The victory marked the Bulldogs’ seventh straight conference title overall and second consecutive Metro Suburban crown.

Sophs remain unbeaten

The future looks bright for RB considering the sophomore Bulldogs continued their historic run this season with a 61-34 win over Fenton. The sophomore squad secured its 22nd straight win, eclipsing the 2001-02 RB team which amassed 21 wins.

“It just shows that we have a lot of skilled people within our program,” McCloskey said. “Coach [Mike] Reingruber and his staff have done a great job.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, RB’s varsity team dropped a 77-66 decision to Morton. Parrish led the visiting Bulldogs with 21 points and Oswald added 19. Vandemerkt pitched in eight points and six assists, but RB committed too many turnovers (18) to pull off the upset.

The Bulldogs wrap up conference play at Elmwood Park on Friday (7 p.m.). RB, seeded sixth in their sectional for postseason play, concludes its regular season with a 7:30 p.m. game on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Brother Rice.