COACH SEAN O'TOOLE'S WILDCATS FINISH WITH 13 PLAYERS IN THE SCORING COLUMN, INCLUDING FOUR IN DOUBLE FIGURES, AS SAINT IGNATIUS IMPROVES TO 2-0 ON THE YOUNG SEASON WITH AN 86-54 VICTORY OVER THE REBELS.
THE ICE CATS OF COACH PAT O'ROURKE WILL TAKE A RECORD OF 9-0-3 INTO SUNDAY'S FINALS OF THE CULVER (IND) TOURNAMENT AFTER DEFEATING COLUMBUS (IND), 6-1, AND CHICAGO GLENBROOK NORTH, 5-3, ON SATURDAY.
HERE IS THE BASKETBALL STORY AND THE HOCKEY RECAP. ****SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE WALSH JESUIT IRON MAN WRESTLING TOURNAMENT, SAINT IGNATIUS FINISHED IN 49TH PLACE WITH 22 POINTS. STANDOUT SENIOR ANTHONY MCLAUGHLIN PLACED SEVENTH AT 182 POUNDS.
SULLIVAN GYMNASIUM - Before he turned his attention to his team's performance, Saint Ignatius' veteran head coach Sean O'Toole '87 spoke about the varsity basketball program at John Adams High School.
"I have a lot of respect for that team," Coach O'Toole said of the Rebels and their head coach Lavonne Davis. "The situation they're in, obviously they're undermanned, and they played Friday. I have so much respect for those kids, that they came out tonight and competed for 32 minutes."
The Rebels, hampered by suspensions that took place following their game against St. Edward last weekend, certainly played with a cause and plenty of spirit despite being shorthanded. Saturday's match up with the Wildcats in Sullivan Gymnasium was the third and final night that Coach Davis had to put together a game plan without a full varsity roster to turn to. John Adams, now 3-3 on the season, had players receive a two-game suspension from the OHSAA and the school's administration added a third game.
"You didn't see them complaining and obviously I have a ton of respect for Lavonne Davis and what he does with his program," said Coach O'Toole. "When I scouted those guys against Bedford (John Adams at full strength), that is a very good basketball team. With everything that is going on with that program right now, my hat's off to John Adams for how it has handle it and how they are going through it. I wish them nothing but the best in the Senate (Senate Athletic League) and the tournament."
Despite the gutsy effort the Rebels put forth against Coach O'Toole's Wildcats, it is doubtful if even a John Adams team at full strength, or plenty of other teams for that matter, could have dealt with the length, versatility and abundance of quality depth that the 2013-14 Saint Ignatius varsity basketball team possesses.
The Wildcats, behind 3-pointers by sophomore guard Deven Stover and junior wing Dylan Nieto, and some strong work around the rim by the gifted Black twins, seniors David and Eric, scored, defended, ran and rebounded their way to a 25-6 lead after the first eight minutes.
Three-pointers by the 6-6 David Black, sophomore guard Kyle Kalish and junior forward Andre' Wolford extended the 'Cats' lead to 40-17. After junior post Mikal Outcalt made a nice move down the lane and Kalish turned a steal into two free throws, Stover scored off an authoritative drive to the rim. David Black then grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a nothing-but-net jumper.
It all added up to a 51-27 halftime lead for Coach O'Toole's blend of talented youth and savvy senior experience.
"I'll be honest with you, we really don't have a rotation yet," Coach O'Toole said after he went to his deep bench early and often. "We have incredible depth, incredible depth. Everyone does something pretty well so I think a lot of it (the rotation) will be determined on what style we're playing against. Do we need guys that attack because we're being pressured or if we're being zoned, do we need shooters? We have a fast post and a skilled post game. We have balance, so now we're trying to figure out how to mesh it to make us competitive.
"It's hard to get into a flow when you play 12 or 13 guys," Coach O'Toole continued. "But as long as everyone makes the most of their minutes on the floor, I think we have a chance to compete."
Saint Ignatius' competitive nature continued throughout the third quarter as the 6-7 Eric Black scored off an on-the-money assist from multi-skilled 6-6 junior forward Jaylin McDonald. Eric also turned a picture-perfect assist from his brother David into two more points and Wolford's string of seven points - a driving one-hander, another 3-pointer and a lay up off a steal - helped offset a solid effort by John Adams junior guard Brooklyn Sims. Sims led all scorers with 18 points.
The Wildcats, who led, 72-41, entering the final eight minutes, got a 13-point performance from Eric Black, 12 points each from Stover and Wolford, and 11 points and eight rebounds courtesy of David Black.
UP NEXT FOR COACH O'TOOLE'S TEAM IS A VISIT FROM A TALENTED JOHN HAY TEAM ON FRIDAY NIGHT (DEC. 20) AND A MATCH UP WITH THE TRADITION-RICH CANTON MCKINLEY BULLDOGS ON SATURDAY NIGHT (DEC. 21). THE ACTION IN SULLIVAN GYM WILL BEGIN BOTH NIGHTS WITH A JUNIOR VARSITY GAME AT 6 PM, FOLLOWED BY THE VARSITY TIPOFF AT 7:30.
Speaking of the junior varsity, the Wildcats' jayvees also improved to 2-0 by defeating John Adams' JV team, 69-43, on Saturday night.
The JV 'Cats were led by 12-point performances from Sharief Irish and Ian Burry, and 11 and 9 points, respectively, from the Berger twins, Ryan and Jimmy.
HERE IS THE RECAP ON THE VARSITY HOCKEY TEAM'S VICTORIES DURING SATURDAY'S CULVER (IND) TOURNAMENT.
Saint Ignatius 6, Columbus (IND) 1: Sophomore goalie Wes Deacon made 11 saves and a staunch Wildcats defense was supported by goals from junior forward Matty Geither, sophomore forward Jared Stepka, junior forward Ethan Whitney, senior forward Brian Fitzgerald, sophomore forward Brian Russell and senior defenseman and captain Kevin Spellacy.
Saint Ignatius 5, Glenbrook North 3: FROM COACH O'ROURKE: "We beat Glenbrook North, a very good team out of Chicago. We came back from a 2-1 deficit. Ethan Whitney had a hat trick, and Aidan Spellacy and Jack Mazanec had a goal each. Matty Geither had 3 assists for a playmaker and Dylan McKeon had 19 saves in the win. We advance to play Shattuck St. Mary in the finals tomorrow at 11:15. They are a school out of Minnesota that draws players from all around the country. Sidney Crosby went there, though he played for their prep team."