By Eddie Dwyer

 

Ohio City - Coming off a dominant performance at both ends of the floor during last weekend's 79-34 opening day victory over John Hay in the Great Lakes Classic at Cleveland Heights High School, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats are putting an emphasis on the defensive pressure they will face come Saturday night, when the 'Cats host the high flying Falcons from Lutheran East.

 

The Varsity tipoff from basketball-rich Fr. Sullivan Gymnasium will be 7 PM, with a 5:30 PM Junior Varsity game getting things started.   

 

 "I went and watched them the other night and they are extremely athletic," said Saint Ignatius' veteran Hall of Fame Head Coach Brian Becker '77 of the 2-0 Falcons. "Very physical, very quick and they're very tenacious in terms of their defensive approach. "They're looking to trap all 94 feet. No matter where the ball is, they're looking to double team and create a lot of havoc."

 

 Ranked 19th in The Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com seven-county preseason poll, Coach Anthony Jones' Falcons, who have defeated Cleveland John F. Kennedy and Beachwood, will look to improve to 3-0 when they face the 14-ranked Mustangs of Maple Heights in a Lake Erie League matchup today (Wednesday) at 3 PM in Quicken Loans Arena. Maple Heights opened its season with a 52-48 victory over Medina.

 

 Yes, the Falcons are now a member of the storied LEL and that is not the only change out on Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights.

 

 After bringing home the Division IV State Basketball Championship last March, Lutheran East has moved up to Division III under the OHSAA's new Competitive Balance system.

 

 "Coming into this game our ability to handle the basketball is going to be huge," Coach Becker said. "If we handle the ball well, we can get some good open looks and have other opportunities. If we over dribble and don't take care of the ball, it can lead to Lutheran East easy layups.

 

 "The Burge kid (Falcons standout 6-foot-3 senior guard/forward Jordan Burge) is like a bull in a China Shop," continued Coach Becker. "He's strong, athletic and gets to the basket really well. So we have to make sure we stay in front of him and take a couple of charges. He's the catalyst in most of their pressure, along with freshman E. J. Farmer."

 

 Coach Becker emphasized that Farmer, a 6-3 forward/guard, has a real good knowledge of the game for a freshman, shoots 3-pointers really well and has deceptively quick hands. Farmer, who has already received some interest from Miami (Ohio), The Ohio State University and Michigan, is part of a very highly regarded Freshmen Class in Northeast Ohio this winter.

 

 Supporting Burge and Farmer are 6-4 sophomore forward Davyon Adams, a player who can score inside and outside, 6-4 junior forward Samuel Johnson, an exceptional leaper, and 5-10 junior guard Ivan Percy Jr., who is described by Saint Ignatius' outstanding Assistant Coach Jerry Porath as an athlete who plays extremely hard, attacks the rim, scores in transition and will leave his man defensively to double or trap at any time.        

 

 "Lutheran East goes really high up-tempo and will provide a challenge for our guards," said the most successful coach in Saint Ignatius' rich basketball history with 324 victories at his alma mater, including a State Championship in March of 2001 and a State Runner-Up in March of 1998. "But if we can beat their pressure, there will be layups and open 3-balls (3-pointers) for us."

 

 Overall, Coach Becker has 338 career victories, which includes his time as Fairview High School's Head Coach.

 

 As Coach Becker said, his 2017-18 Wildcats play very hard and are unselfish in their manner of execution. They appear to always look for the play that is best for the team while moving the ball and breaking down the defense.

 

 Those qualities were very evident to this old gym rat while having the privilege and pleasure to cover the share-the-wealth 'Cats in their season-opening victory over John Hay (see the corner's game story from Sunday, Dec. 3).

 

 "They're all into the game and with that good things can happen," said Coach Becker. "Sure, they're going to  miss shots and turn the ball over sometimes, but it's not from a lack of trying or caring."

 

 CALLING ON THE JAYVEES: Assisting the Varsity Wildcats in Tuesday's drills that featured a look at the type of trapping defense and pressure that Lutheran East employs were promising sophomores Griffin Hanna and Jack Whelan.

 

 Griffin and Jack did so well that they will be back at the Varsity's practice today (Wednesday).

 

 THE MEN FOR OTHERS BEHIND THE SCENES: This corner tips its cap to Coach Becker's veteran senior Basketball Managers Gabriel Liberatore and Reilly Casey, and newcomer Ryan McKiernan, who is a junior.

 

 Gabe and Reilly are now in their third season together as Basketball Managers and Gabe started his Managerial experience with the Wildcats' Freshmen Football Program when he was a ninth grader. Reilly, a running back, and Gabe, a linebacker/defensive end, were dedicated members of Saint Ignatius' state and nationally acclaimed Varsity Football Program, players who always gave 100 percent and more whenever they were called on.

 

 "After Reilly and I graduate, we need someone to take over and Ryan has been open to it," said Gabe. "He has really done a good job and has put a lot into it."

 

 A TRIP DOWN HEARTBREAK HIGHWAY'S MEMORABLE TOURNAMENT TRAIL: Lutheran East's first of its two Boys State Basketball Championships took place in 2005.

 

 Coach Roger McClintock's Falcons had a great postseason run that took them to a Division IV State Championship game matchup with Columbus Africentric Secondary School.

 

 The Nubians of Columbus Africentric defeated Lutheran East, 74-66, in the title game and the Falcons left the state's Capital with their heads high after putting together an exceptional season.

 

 However, less than a month after the final buzzer went off that March, 2005 night, the OHSAA announced that Columbus Africentric used an ineligible player all season and would have to forfeit its entire season. Lutheran East was declared the Division IV State Champion and representatives from the OHSAA drove to Lutheran East to present the Falcons with the State Championship Trophy during a school ceremony.

 

SIBN: If you can't make it to Saturday night's home opener, Saint Ignatius' outstanding Broadcast Network will bring it to you live from Ohio City.

 

 IN YOUR CORNER: This old-timer, who covered and reported on that Heartbreak Highway of 2005, will be at Fr. Sullivan Gymnasium on Saturday night to provide coverage on the Wildcats-Falcons area hoops headliner.