On the afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday, millions of fans were getting ready to watch the big game between the Patriots and the Giants.

However, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Fenton, another big game was going on between two longtime rivals. The St. Paul Catholic Elementary School eighth-graders were taking on longtime rival The Church of Immacolata of Richmond Heights in Catholic Youth Council basketball action.

About 50 parents and siblings sat in the bleachers. Some were relaxed, sitting with outstretched legs. Others leaned forward, intently watching as their sons played.

"This is a good rivalry," a parent said. "They don't like each other."

That was easy to see by the intensity of the action. Both squads played with maximum energy, hustling up and down the court. Some handled the ball with skill while others bounced it off their knees.

The most distinctive sound was the squeaking of their sneakers on the polished, hardwood floors. It was a constant refrain during the action.

Squeak! Squeak! If the action was heavy under the basket: Squeak-squeak-squeak! Squeak! Squeak-squeak!

The parents kept cheering for their boys, offering up helpful advice like, 'shoot" or "dribble" or "pass the ball." A referee's call caused some grumbles.

The halftime buzzer sounded and the squads gathered at their benches.

Out in the lobby, Mark Conley, the lay director for St. Paul's basketball program, and other volunteers manned the snack bar. The parish gym is a big center of CYC basketball. Normally, there were would be a full day's worth of games scheduled on Sunday.

"It's Super Bowl Sunday and everybody wants to be home," Conley said. "During the season, we've got games Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday. It's busy around here."

He also agreed that the two teams have a strong rivalry.

"Oh, yeah, the parents really get into it," Conley said. "You should be here when we play Sacred Heart (of Valley Park). That really gets intense."

Halftime started poorly for St. Paul. The players missed three easy under-the-basket shots, setting off a chorus of groans from the families.

At the end of the third quarter, Immacolata led 27-23.

The score stayed close with St. Paul pulling even. With 2 minutes 9 seconds left in the game, it was 31-31.

Possessions went back and forth with the score tied at 33-33 with 1:06 left. All of the parents were on their feet cheering their kids.

Then, Immacolata's Joe Mattingly hit a clutch shot on the top of the key, giving his squad a 35-33 lead with just 3.1 seconds left.

St. Paul tried to bring the ball upcourt, but couldn't. The game ended with a buzz and Immacolata came away with the 35-33 victory.

Both squads lined up and shook hands. The St. Paul squad gathered in the corner to talk. Immacolata's kids headed out to applause from their backers.

It may not have been Mizzou versus KU, but it was still pretty good.

Everybody headed home to the Super Bowl.