SAINT IGNATIUS' VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM IS NOW FIFTH IN STO'S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS INSIDER TOP 10 AND THE MEMORABLE SHOT BY "CISCO" GETS SOME AIR TIME.

'CATS MOVE UP ONE SPOT TO EIGHTH IN THE PLAIN DEALER POLL.

BY EDDIE DWYER

Although we posted an update on Liam Geither's injury on Sunday afternoon (see two stories below), we have some further good news concerning the Wildcats' outstanding senior hockey forward.

Saint Ignatius assistant coach Joe Geither, Liam's dad, said today that Liam is okay and there is no tendon damage from the cut the 'Cats' all-time single-season goals scorer (51 this winter) suffered during Saturday night's 3-1 victory over Shaker Heights. Liam also has 42 assists this season for a total of 93 points.

Wildcats head coach Pat O'Rourke '90 said Liam should be back for the first Baron Cup game, at least to test the leg out. The Baron Cup runs Feb. 8-12 at the John M. Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn.

In taking a quick glance at this weekend's sports schedule, Coach O'Rourke's team will bring its remarkable 32-0 record into The Pond on Friday evening for the regular-season finale against University School. The puck is scheduled to drop at 4:50 p.m. The 'Cats are looking to put the seal on another Red North Division championship.

While the only numbers the Ice 'Cats are focused on involve the Red North Division, the Baron Cup and the OHSAA state tournament, they are four wins away from surpassing the OHSAA single-season record for victories, which is held by Gilmour Academy.

Coach Sean O'Toole's varsity basketball team, fresh off its outstanding victory over previously undefeated Pickerington High School Central (see story below), is at Sullivan Gym for two games this weekend - versus Glenville on Friday night and Perrysburg on Saturday night. If I was a betting man, I would wager that it will snow on Saturday. The Perrysburg-Saint Ignatius matchup has been wiped out by Mother Nature for the past three seasons. The corner will preview both hoops games later this week.

*And speaking of Wildcats basketball, Francisco Santiago's game-winning jumper against Pickerington Central was selected by STO's High School Sports Insider as its No. 1 Play of the Week and the HSSI ranked the 'Cats fifth this week in its Top 10. Saint Ignatius moved up one spot to eighth in The Plain Dealer's seven-county Top 25 poll.

Saturday's schedule also features a big match for the "Alley Cats," as the Saint Ignatius keglers will knock 'em down against the St. Edward Eagles at Cloverleaf Lanes.