Ohio City - Congratulations from this old-timer go out to Saint Ignatius' outstanding senior guard Francisco Santiago, who has been selected to compete in the state's most prestigious All-Star basketball event - the annual North-South Game.

This year's North-South Game will be played on Sunday, April 21 at Capital University.

Wildcats head coach Sean O'Toole '87 said it is an honor that "Cisco" earned with his exceptional play and leadership. Coach O'Toole added that he is hoping Wildcats gifted senior post/forward Derek Sloan will receive one of the at-large selections for the North-South Game.

Again, congratulations to ''Cisco" and his family and to Coach O'Toole and the entire Wildcats basketball program.

****And as we projected this afternoon, Saint Ignatius (19-3) finished No. 1 in the final Plain Dealer Top 25 seven-county basketball poll for 2012-13. The 'Cats, who ended their regular season on a 10-game winning streak, can now add The PD's top ranking to their Division I seventh-place ranking in the state by the Associated Press.

Rounding out The PD's final top five were 2. Shaker Heights (16-6), 3. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (18-4), 4. St. Edward (17-5) and 5. Mentor (17-5).

Just a reminder that on Wednesday the corner will post its preview on the Wildcats' first-round game in the demanding Solon sectional/district. Coach O'Toole's 'Cats, who are seeded No. 1 at Solon, will take their first step on the tournament trail Friday in a sectional-final match up versus the winner of Tuesday's semifinal between Lincoln-West and Cleveland John F. Kennedy. The tip off at Solon on Friday will be 6 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS: It was a winter all of Saint Ignatius' basketball programs can be proud of, as the freshmen Blue and Gold teams, the junior varsity team and the varsity Wildcats combined for a record of 74-11.

Coach O'Toole, who is in his fifth season at his alma mater, enters postseason play with an overall record at Saint Ignatius of 85-29.

AND A LITTLE PIGSKIN TO CHEW ON: Highly respected football scout John McCallister of the McCallister Scouting Report, a man who knows Ohio football like the back of his hand, said Saint Ignatius All-Ohio junior Kyle Berger and gifted junior Dameon Willis Jr. have the potential to become the top outside linebacker combination in the state this coming season.

And from this corner's point of view, Saint Ignatius junior John Gibbons could emerge as one of the top senior middle linebackers in the area. John, who delivers pad-rattling hits, has some of the same attributes that former Wildcat great John Kerr '02 brought to the gridiron.

Berger, whose focus right now is on helping the Wildcats' varsity basketball team fulfill its ultimate goal, made a visit to the University of Michigan on Sunday. Michigan is on the long list of major college football programs who have offered Berger. Kyle said he enjoyed his visit with the Wolverines and was able to spend some time with former Wildcat All-Ohio selection and current Michigan standout linebacker Jake Ryan. Jake is from the Class of 2010.

****For a look at Tuesday night's District Semifinal hockey game between Saint Ignatius and Rocky River, see the corner's story that was posted this afternoon.