Getting the first win of the season is always important, and after starting 0-2, the Wildcats were hungry for victory. They got just that over Erie (PA) McDowell.
In the first quarter, Saint Ignatius started off hot, and then went cold, allowing the Trojans to pull to a 13-10 lead. Then, led by the point guard play of Devin Jackson, the Wildcats went on a 6-0 run, and finished the quarter with a Dom DiNunzio three ball, narrowing the gap to just one, 20-19.
Then in the second quarter, the Wildcats really turned on the engines. Saint Ignatius took the lead for good when Jackson fed Austen Yarian on a breakaway to make it 26-25 Wildcats. And then with 5:53 to play, Jon Barnes added the lead with a pair of clutch free throws, part of a breakout game off the bench.
Saint Ignatius extended its lead to eight when Matt Davet went to the line to shoot two free throws with 2:59 left to play in the half. The Wildcats would have a comfortable 44-32 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Wildcats played phenomenal basketball. McDowell was able to hang in the game for much of the third quarter behind the scrappy, tough play of Bailey Lewis, who finished the game with just 3 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds, but made an impact for the Trojans in trying to keep them in the game.
The Wildcats began to pull away late in the third quarter, though, when Jon Barnes connected from deep to push the lead to 11 for the Wildcats, 56-45, with 1:45 left in the third quarter.The Wildcats finished the quarter with 62-47 lead. Matt Davet had 20 points after three.
From there on out, it was all Saint Ignatius. A Matt Davet scoop and lay in made it 66-49 Wildcats, and then an outlet pass from Michael Spear to Davet made it 70-49 Saint Ignatius, and it was home free for the Wildcats.
McDowell just was unable to hang in with the Wildcats' speed and guard Saint Ignatius height with Austen Yarian and Matt Davet. And with win number one under their belt, Coach Brian Becker '77 is pleased with where the Wildcats are headed.
“I thought the Wildcats played a better basketball defensively today. Realistically, we could be 3-0, but we just didn’t defend the dribble drive in the first two games," Becker said. "All three of our opponents so far are quality opponents. So we’re making strides. What people have to remember is that we’re a young team with some inexperienced players that are playing some significant minutes for us. So early on we’re going to have some growing pains. It will be nice to get back into Sullivan Gymnasium where we can have a decent crowd and some excited students.”
Coach Becker on his bench: “Neeko Melendez has been very consistent for us in all three games. Jon Barnes I thought played an exceptional role for us today. His energy, his rebounding, finished a couple of shots, hit a big three. These two kids are new to Varsity basketball, so they’re going to take some time. But they did a pretty solid job. I loved DiNunzio’s hustle and defense, as well. He’s relentless on the glass, he sets good screens. Josh Ozanne ran the floor well today, as well. It’s going to be a learning curve for all of these guys, and the quicker they pick it up, the better they’re going to be.”
In the 2nd quarter, with 2:36 remaining, Josh Ozanne and Luke Wiskes ran into each other and exited the game, but according to Coach Becker, head coach of the 2001 State Champion Basketball team, they both will be fine.
“Wiskes is good to go, there is nothing wrong with him. Wiskes came over to provide some support to Ozanne, and the official thought he was bent over and dizzy, but that wasn’t the case. Josh took a bang to the head and saw some stars. With a hit to the head, you want to go on the side of caution. So we’ll wait to see what happens with him, but Wiskes is good to go on Monday.”
Matt Davet once again led the way for the Wildcats with 30 points, his second 30 point performance of the season. The big man went 12 for 17 from the field, 5 for 6 from the line. Michael Spear was once again hitting the deep ball with 3 three’s, going 4 for 9 from the field and finishing with 14 points. Jon Barnes also hit double digits with 11 points. Austen Yarian finished with 9 points for the Wildcats.
Saint Ignatius shot 47% from the field, and 69% from the free throw line, which is an area in which the Wildcats are slowly improving. They hit 7 three’s, and turned the ball over 8 times, which did not affect them in the end.
The phenomenal point guard Devin Jackson led the way in the assists category with 5.
For Erie (PA) McDowell, Bryan Williams and Alex Morgan led the way with 11 points, but the Trojans turned the ball over 16 times, which was the difference maker in the end.
NEXT UP: The Wildcats return to Sullivan Gymnasium for the first time this season on Friday night, when they welcome the Colonels from Erie (PA) Strong Vincent. It’s a doubleheader with the 1-0 Junior Varsity Wildcats tipping off at 5:30, and the Varsity action immediately following.
The Saint Ignatius Broadcast Network will have coverage of both games, with Brendan DeVenney ‘17 and Matt MacKenzie ‘18 on the call for the Varsity Wildcats’ home opener.