OK, you’re without two of your top five players – senior post Dan Fox (shoulder injury) and sophomore forward Shonn Miller (ill). And, one of the key components in your backcourt rotation, senior Joey Parris, is visiting the Air Force Academy this weekend.
Is it time to be concerned? Well, maybe a little.
But then Saint Ignatius coach Sean O’Toole (’87) appreciates the fact he is coaching a bunch of hard-nosed, strong-willed young men, players who know how to play within themselves and, most importantly, as a team.
The Wildcats, behind another relentless defensive effort keyed by junior guard Tom Parker and the continued development of versatile junior post/forward Mark Myers, turned back a talented Shaker Heights team, 55-50, on Friday night in Shaker’s Raider Dome.
With Parker playing exceptional half-court defense against Raiders multitalented senior guard Anthony Wells and the 6-4 Myers coming up with game highs of 18 points and eight rebounds, Saint Ignatius improved to 7-2.
After winning their fifth consecutive game, the Wildcats boarded their bus and headed to Cincinnati for a night’s sleep. Coach O’Toole will guide his team against host Saint Xavier (6-6) tonight in a 6 p.m. matchup of Jesuit schools. The junior-varsity game is slated for 4:30 p.m.
“We had Shonn sick, Danny’s hurt, okay, the next guy step up. Mark (Myers), it’s your turn,’’ O’Toole said, after he matched wits with Shaker Heights veteran coach Bob Wonson (358 career victories). “Mark’s been working so hard to get into the rhythm of what we’re doing. He’s a dual weapon. He can score at the rim and he can knock down the 3-pointer.
“Mark has really become a factor for us. He stretches defenses and he rebounds. Now you add him with Shonn and Danny, it’s going to be a nice combination.’’
As was the case in their previous six victories, the Wildcats got solid contributions throughout their roster. None was more important, however, than the spirited defense the 5-11 Parker brought to the court.
“Anthony Wells is the best scoring guard in this area,’’ said O’Toole of the 6-1 Cleveland State recruit, a player who has surpassed 1,000 points for his career and entered Friday night’s game averaging nearly 25 points. “And to hold him to four points!
“Now it’s a team defense, everyone helped. But it was the energy Tommy exuded making (Wells) work for his touches and making him work when he had the ball. We don’t win without that effort and that energy. Tommy really did a great job.’’
On the strength of four 3-pointers, including two by junior point guard Tyler Hammond, Saint Ignatius held a 14-8 lead after the first eight minutes.
Shaker Heights (6-7), sparked by a 3-pointer by guard Darvelis Tolliver, cut the deficit to one point early in the second quarter.
The Wildcats responded with a layup by Parker off a Hammond assist, the second of three 3-pointers by senior forward Fred Schirmer and two free throws by junior post/forward Rich Austin. With Myers scoring 12 points in the first 16 minutes, including two 3-pointers, Saint Ignatius led, 30-23, at halftime.
Led by Schirmer's three baskets from beyond the arc, the Wildcats were 7-of-16 on 3-pointers. The Raiders attempted 17 3-pointers, but connected on just three of them.
“That’s Fred’s role, he knows it,’’ O’Toole said of Schirmer's long-range shooting. “He needs to defend, needs to rebound and all of that. But when he gets out there and gets a look, he needs to just knock it down. We run (plays) for him because he’s a great shooter. We want him to get shots.’’
In what was one of its most complete quarters of the season, Saint Ignatius, fueled by its defense, some second-effort work down low by Myers and 6-3 junior post Vito Sosic, and Schirmer’s third 3-pointer, took a 15-point lead into the final eight minutes. The strong and steady Sosic scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
Shaker Heights was not about to call it a night.
As any area gym rat knows, Lake Erie League teams always play with pride down the stretch, especially when they’re defending their home court.
The Raiders, behind the scoring of sophomore forward Otis Barrow and freshman guard Terry Rozier, came storming back and trailed, 52-50, after Rozier buried a 3-pointer and Barrow hit a soft jumper high off the glass with just over a minute remaining. Rozier scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the second half, Tolliver finished with 13 points and Barrow scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter.
Withstanding Shaker Heights’ late flurry, Saint Ignatius answered with a clutch driving one-hander by senior guard Pat Hinkel with 47 seconds to go and a free throw by Hammond that was sandwiched by key defensive plays by Parker and senior guard Joey Salata.
“When push comes to shove, we’re at the end of our rope and we need a play, there’s Pat Hinkel going to the rim and finishing,’’ O’Toole said. “And that teaches the younger players. They learn from his example.’’
Parker, who helped limit Wells to two first-half baskets, pointed out that he played against Wells in summer leagues and has nothing but respect for the Raiders’ gifted backcourt player.
“I love his game,’’ Parker said. “I just tried to play as hard as he plays.’’
PLAYING LIKE YOU PRACTICE: Myers, who also is one of Northeast Ohio’s top quarterback prospects in football, pointed out that the Wildcats’ strong showing from the perimeter on Friday night could be the result of a drill the team does in practice.
“It’s called '80 and 80,'’’ Myers said. “You just shoot 3-pointers. It’s usually juniors against seniors, and whoever loses out has to do pushups.’’