By Eddie Dwyer

 

Ohio City - Now that is what Saint Ignatius Head Freshmen Blue Basketball Coach Regan Sweeney was looking for.

 

 The Blue Cats, who let a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter slip away during  Monday's four-point loss to the St. Edward Green at Sullivan Gymnasium, played with an endless passion and purpose over the final 14 minutes on Wednesday evening and defended their home court with a 51-41 triumph over a very capable ninth-grade team from Brunswick High School.

 

 "It's always good to have a game right away after playing St. Eds and get our feet under us, no matter if it's a win against St. Eds or a loss," said Coach Sweeney '11, a former basketball mainstay for the Wildcats. "The first half tonight was a little lackadaisical, a little carry over (from the St. Edward game). But we came out in the second half and started trapping a little bit and got a couple of quick steals and layups. We set the tone and the pace to where we wanted it to be."

 

 The now 4-6 Blue Devils from Brunswick, who own a nine-point victory over St. Edward's Freshmen Gold Team this season, stretched a four-point lead after the first quarter Wednesday evening to 18-10 late in the first half.

 

 Two free throws by Saint Ignatius' Mr. Endless Hustle, aka Chris Snyder, and a highlight-reel sweeping hook shot across the lane from the Blue Cats' gifted post Henry Raynor cut the deficit to four points.

 

 Brunswick responded with a deep 3-pointer by guard Jonah Hager, however, and took a seven-point lead into the halftime break.

 

 A smooth dribble-drive for two points by Blue Devils guard Quintyn McKinley had Saint Ignatius trailing by nine points early in the second half.

 

 Enter Coach Sweeney's trapping defense and relentless to the rim offense.

 

 With Snyder playing like his life depended on it at both ends of the court and guard Jack Dunstan making a huge impact with his defensive presence, Saint Ignatius moved to a 27-25 lead off a steal and a layup by Snyder, a strong baseline drive by Snyder and a Raynor basket off a sweet dish from Dunstan.

 

 An in-rhythm jumper by Hager knotted the score at 27, but Raynor would answer with his own soft jumper from the top of the key.

 

 After Brunswick took a one-point lead off a 3-pointer by Ryan Arcuri, the Blue Cats went on a decisive 12-1 run that featured a driving one-handed floater by Dunstan, a layup by Raynor off an inbounds play under the Saint Ignatius basket, a strong offensive rebound and putback by Raynor, another display of quick feet and sure balance down low by Raynor, and an authoritative baseline drive by Snyder.

 

 Leading by 10 points with just over six minutes remaining to be played, the Blue Cats left no doubt behind the scoring of Dunstan, a Raynor basket off a heads-up assist from guard Andrew Chime and two free throws courtesy of Snyder.

 

 In improving to 6-2 with the midpoint of the season approaching, the Blue  Cats were led by 18-point performances from both Snyder and Raynor, and 11 clutch points from Dunstan.

 

 "Going to the floor for loose balls and creating havoc defensively, now you're really having fun," said Coach Sweeney. "Snyder kind of lit a fire under everybody and it was good for the kids to see what they're capable of."

 

 FACES IN THE CROWD: It was wonderful for this seasoned reporter to see former Wildcats basketball and baseball standout, and outstanding Baseball Coach Brian Morgan at Father Sullivan Gymnasium on Wednesday night. Brian's son, Tyler, is a member of the Brunswick Freshman Basketball Team.

 

 Brian guided the Wildcats to the 2002 OHSAA Division I State Baseball Championship and to a State Runner-Up finish in 2000.