A 21-6 run and seven unanswered points to close out the game tell the tale as Coach Sean O'Toole's Wildcats improve to 7-1. Senior post Eric Black scores a game-high 19 points en route to garnering his team's MVP honors and junior wing Andre' Wolford comes off the bench to score 15 clutch and crucial points.

Saint Ignatius, which displayed its character and resiliency after Friday night's one-sided loss to Michigan power Detroit Jesuit, will now gear up for this Friday night's game against University School at John Carroll University and Saturday night's home game versus Walsh Jesuit.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LIST OF THE MAJOR AWARDS FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON'S VARSITY FOOTBALL BANQUET FOLLOW THE VARSITY BASKETBALL STORY.

Berea, Ohio - Come late February and March, Coach Sean O'Toole's varsity basketball team just might look back at Sunday afternoon's game against previously undefeated Cleveland Central Catholic as the turning point of the entire season.

Saint Ignatius, outplayed by a talent-rich Detroit Jesuit team at Sullivan Gymnasium on Friday night, found itself trailing Central Catholic by 10 points late in the third quarter at the annual Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic in Baldwin Wallace University's Ursprung Gymnasium.

At that point, some of the area's gym rats were questioning "just how good" the Wildcats are.

Well, Saint Ignatius had all of the answers to that question and many more as Coach O'Toole's team raised its level of play on both ends of the floor and went on to defeat the Ironmen, 59-52.

Trailing, 41-31, the Wildcats clawed their way back with a 21-6 run and found all of the answers down the stretch after Central Catholic knotted the score at 52 on a 3-pointer by 6-foot-5 junior guard/forward Antwon Lillard and a layup by 6-7 sophomore forward Tervell Beck off a steal and an assist by sophomore point guard Brandon Peters.

Keeping its composure, Saint Ignatius responded with a slam dunk by 6-7 senior post Eric Black in transition, two free throws by junior wing Andre' Wolford and a clutch rebound and assist by senior point guard Danny Bova that resulted in two big free throws by junior forward Jaylin McDonald with 35.8 seconds remaining.

In a game that matched the area's third (Central Catholic) and fourth-ranked teams, the Ironmen of Coach Jonathan Harris experienced their first loss in 10 games this season. The Wildcats' defense held Central Catholic to a 33 percent shooting performance, while Saint Ignatius shot 54 percent from the field.

Beck, who led the Ironmen with 14 points before fouling out with 1 minute and 28 seconds remaining, took home his team's MVP Trophy and as did Eric Black for the now 7-1 Wildcats. Eric led all scorers with 19 points.

"A lot of it is just recognizing the personnel," said Coach O'Toole of his team's impressive defense effort in the second half. "They (the Ironmen) have two bonafide scorers, a great point guard, shooters and a very good big (post or center). So you just have to recognize who you are guarding, who we're helping off and who we are trying to limit touches. It's a constant chess match when you're trying to defend a team like that.

"We needed it (the victory) bad, we needed it bad," Coach O'Toole continued.

The Wildcats gave their coach just what he and everyone associated with the program needed by putting together the impressive 21-6 run that was capped by Wolford's third 3-pointer of the second half, a smooth nothing-but-net trey that gave Saint Ignatius a 52-47 lead with 4 minutes and 4 seconds left to be played. Andre' finished with 15 huge points off the bench.

"This was important, because in that (Detroit Jesuit) game we lost a little bit of confidence," said the gifted and soft-spoken Wolford. "I had to come out and play with confidence. They were open shots and I had to knock them down. Like I said, this was a huge confidence booster to win this game like we did. Now, we just have to go right back at it on Friday."

Saint Ignatius' 21-6 run started with a layup by Eric Black off a high-low assist from his twin brother David, a 6-6 senior forward, and an impressive second- and third-effort offensive rebound and put back by versatile sophomore guard Deven Stover. Deven finished with 10 points.

The other highlights in the run were a three-point play by Eric Black, a 3-pointer by David Black, another high-low 2-point combo by the Blacks and another trey by Wolford that never disturbed the rim.

HERE ARE THE VARSITY FOOTBALL MAJOR AWARDS THAT WERE PRESENTED DURING THE ANNUAL BANQUET ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE BREEN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. THE 'CATS FINISHED THEIR INJURY-RIDDLED 2013 SEASON AT 8-5, ADVANCING TO THE OHSAA DIVISION I REGIONAL-FINAL PLAYOFFS. IT WAS THE PROGRAM'S 25TH BIG-SCHOOL PLAYOFF APPEARANCE SINCE 1988, A RUN THAT HAS PRODUCED A RECORD 11 DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE LIST OF THE AWARD WINNERS IS COURTESY OF SAINT IGNATIUS ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR RORY FITZPATRICK '88 AND ATHLETIC OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MS. JENNIFER FIGHT.

Most Valuable Player: Senior defensive back/linebacker Dameon Willis Jr.

Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Senior tackle Jim Byrne

Most Valuable Offensive Back: Senior fullback Stan Elad

Most Valuable Wide Receiver: Senior Mike Siragusa

Most Valuable Scout Player (versus the offense): Senior linebacker Jacob Rossi

Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Junior end/tackle Dre'Mont Jones

Most Valuable Linebacker: Senior middle backer John Gibbons

Most Valuable Defensive Secondary Player: Senior cornerback Scott Arthrell

Most Valuable Scout Player (versus the defense): Senior wide receiver/tight end Bennett Kinzel

Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Senior tailback/kick and punt returner Kyle Daugenti

Most Improved Player: Senior safety Evan O'Malley

Bigger, Stronger, Faster Award: Senior offensive guard Tom Stuhldreher

And the prestigious Coaches' Cup goes to senior wide receiver Jack Hyland

*Congratulations from this old-timer go out to these outstanding young men and to them, their families and Saint Ignatius' tireless coaching staff and administration, THANK YOU for the privilege of covering and reporting on the 2013 FOOTBALL WILDCATS. May God Bless the seniors in all of their future endeavors.

- Eddie Dwyer