Ohio City - After a spirited practice in Father Sullivan Gymnasium on Friday morning that included an overtime team scrimmage, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats of Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Brian Becker '77 appeared prepared and excited about the challenge that awaits them this Holiday Weekend.

 Coming off victories over Canton McKinley and Warren Harding in the friendly confines of Sullivan Gym, the 5-2 and area's 14th-ranked Wildcats are gearing up for Sunday's annual New Year's Eve matchup with one of the most storied programs not only in Ohio, but the entire nation - the seven-time OHSAA State Champions and 2003 National Champions from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. 

 The Wildcats and the Fighting Irish of SVSM will tip off at 2 PM in the atmosphere-rich LeBron James Arena. A 12:30 PM Junior Varsity game between the respective programs will precede the Varsity action. Saint Ignatius' Jayvees will be putting their 7-0 record on the line.

 St. Vincent-St. Mary (3-3), under the direction of one of the most successful coaches in the nation, veteran Dru Joyce, is coming off Thursday night's 85-76 overtime road loss to the area's top-ranked and undefeated Garfield Heights Bulldogs. Coach Sonny Johnson's Bulldogs are the most talent-laden team in the state, my friends, and ninth-ranked SVSM gave them all they could handle. 

 "St.V is obviously one of the premier teams in the Greater Cleveland-Akron Area," said Coach Becker, who guided his Wildcats to a 72-68 victory over St. Vincent-St. Mary on New Year's Eve in Sullivan Gymnasium last season. "They have a storied history."

 After last winter's setback at Saint Ignatius, the Fighting Irish went on to a 25-5 record and a Division II State Championship.  

 "Their point guard, Scott Walter, is the guy who makes them go," Coach Becker continued in reference to Coach Joyce's 5-10 senior and four-year varsity player. "He gets in the seams, he's an energy guy and he makes 3-balls (3-pointers). He's the guy that pushes the tempo for them. The ability to try to harness him will be one of the big keys to victory."

 As is always the case with a Dru Joyce-coached team, the Fighting Irish, as Coach Becker emphasized to his 'Cats on Friday morning, play extremely hard. Just ask Coach Johnson.

 "We have to match their intensity, if not succeed it." said Coach Becker. "It's about execution, because they (SVSM) get out there and defend. They will body you, so we have to protect the basketball and play strong with the basketball."

 Along with Walter, the Fighting Irish feature one of the premier freshmen in Northeast Ohio, if not the entire state, 6-foot-1 guard Seth Wilson. Wilson forced the overtime versus Garfield Heights with a 3-pointer and finished with 23 points. Walter supported Wilson with 15 points and 6-foot-4 sophomore forward and SVSM football mainstay Jalen Ross contributed 14 points.

 "It has always been a good rivalry between us," emphasized Coach Becker. "They're coming off a real tough loss, so we'll get a chance to see what we're made of. This will be a good barometer as we go into the second segment of our season.

 "St.V played a bunch of guys against Garfield Heights, they will come at you in a variety of ways. We have to be up to the challenge defensively and take care of the ball offensively, and then I think good things will happen for us."

 NOTE: If you can't make it out to The LeBron James Arena on Sunday, Saint Ignatius' Broadcast Network will bring it to you live from The Rubber City. "The Dean," senior Matt MacKenzie, will have the Play-by-Play and the savvy Zack Strom '19 will be your Color Analyst.

 Have a wonderful weekend and this old gym rat will see you at the home of the greatest player in the history of Ohio High School Basketball and now the greatest player on earth, Mr. LeBron James.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!