By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit February 2016

North Olmsted, Ohio - Led by their fabulous senior foursome of Captain Gianni Schaefer, Ralph Deadwyler, Cedric Crawford and Austin Venczel, young leaders who exemplify Saint Ignatius' motto of "Men for Others," the Alley Cats made a gallant charge in the Baker Games portion of Sunday's Sectional Tournament before finishing in fourth place, just 14 pins shy of the third and final qualifying spot for next weekend's OHSAA District at Roseland Lanes in Bedford.

In a sport that Schaefer described as unforgiving, Coach Jim Viets' gifted and team-first Keglers had too many splits in the early going, points they just couldn't entirely make up despite the strong showing in the Baker Games.

Qualifying out of Buckeye Lanes were Elyria, St. Edward and North Olmsted. North Olmsted's final total was 3,534 and the Alley Cats were right behind with a total of 3,520. Saint Ignatius had a Bakers Games total of 1,079

Also earning a spot at next Sunday's District Tournament were the three highest individual competitors from non-qualifying teams - Scott McKee from the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (a 578 series), Brandon Jacinto from Lorain High School  (a 560 series) and McKee's teammate Colin Kuchenmeister (a 552 series).

"It's just so cool because we had four seniors, myself and the three others, who went from freshman year all the way to senior year," Schaefer said. "We grew together and as team we were put together well. Today we fell short, but throughout the season we were strong. We took trophies and everything in our league. You throw a good ball and it end's up a split, it's tough right now."

Despite losing four exceptional seniors, Coach Viets is confident he will have a solid nucleus to work with next season, including members of this season's talented Junior Varsity Team.

"Because of different substitutions we only had one guy bowl a 510  (a three-game total) today and that was Anthony Doran," Coach Viets said. "Our high game was probably Cedric (Crawford) at 185."

Coach Viets also pointed out that Saint Ignatius had seven splits in its first two fames.

"When we go into these tournaments, spares are critical," Coach Viets said. "You can't give away any spares. You win with spares. Every pin adds up."

Coach Viets said his program has a lot of talent, that he could have put anyone of his eight Wildcats out there competing on Sunday. "It was a fun season and a good ride," he said. "But 14 pins, it hurts."

Ralph Deadwyler, who was recently honored as Saint Ignatius' Student Athlete of the Week, said he and his teammates will always be "brothers" and men for others, and that is what he will take from this season and the past four years, a special and permanent bond.

And now, it is up to the next senior group to lead, either by word or action, the team known around the halls of Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School as The Alley Cats.