Joe Girard Talks Notre Dame, Watching Farrell Explode & More

If anybody inside the Conte Forum could relate to what Matt Farrell was feeling during Notre Dame’s win over Boston College on Saturday, it would have been Joe Girard.

The junior guard from New York was in Chestnut Hill for the BC-Notre Dame contest to witness Farrell explode for 37 points, draining 12 of his 17 field goal attempts, including 10 of 12 three-pointers.

“I really enjoyed watching the game,” said Girard. “And to say the least, Matty went off.”

Just a junior, Girard is already the most prolific scorer in the history of high school basketball in the state of the New York and is averaging almost 50 points a game right now for Glen Falls High School, so the 6-foot-2 guard can relate to that feeling.

He was encouraged to see Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey give Farrell the freedom to keep firing.

“It’s good knowing a coach gives you the green light and lets you play your game, especially when you’re feeling it like he was,” Girard said.

Notre Dame assistant Ryan Ayers got an in-person look at Girard’s firepower on Wednesday, when he saw the junior drop 44. The Irish haven’t offered yet, but Girard has been on their radar for a long time.

“That they’re very interested and they like the way I’m playing and to keep it up,” Girard said of the Irish’s message to him at this point.

Girard has interest in Notre Dame as well.

“They offer great academics and have had a lot of success with guys like me,” he said.

But with offers from schools like Syracuse, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Boston College among several others, Girard acknowledges it’s hard to truly consider Notre Dame until an offer is extended.

“In the end, you can only pick one school, so I have to focus on ones who have offered me and want me to become a part of their family,” he said.

“I would love to have the option to play at Notre Dame, it just hasn’t come yet.”

Girard isn’t sure of any other visits coming up.

“I’m focusing on the playoffs with my team right now,” he said.

He’d like to have his decision made before the start of his senior season.

“I just want to be able to fit in academically, socially and athletically. And be somewhere where I have an opportunity to play and win championships.”