As the calendar turns to 2017, the Saint Ignatius winter sports season is beginning to intensify.
The first weekend of the new year will bring new challenges for the Wildcats, as four of Saint Ignatius' five winter sports squads will be in action in the coming days.
Here's a preview of what's ahead for the Wildcats this weekend.
Basketball
The men of Brian Becker '77 fought through a grueling schedule to start the season, facing some of the best teams in Northeast Ohio in the first eight games of the season.
By all accounts, the Wildcats emerged looking rosy with a 5-3 record. The Basketball Cats claimed victories over squads such as Northland, Warren Harding, and St. Vincent-St. Mary.
This weekend, the Wildcats will face two more solid foes – Canton GlenOak and University School.
The GlenOak Golden Eagles will visit Sullivan Gym on Friday evening, with the JV contest beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity matchup starting at 7 p.m.
A stout backcourt anchors a 3-5 Golden Eagles squad. Seniors Trajen Wood and Cross Wood, who both stand at 6'0", lead the scoring attack. The duo combined for 32 points in a win over Max Hayes on December 22, and led the scoring in a 57-49 loss to Canton Central Catholic on December 30.
The University School Preppers will host the Wildcats on Saturday night, with the JV game starting at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity contest beginning at 7 p.m.
The Preppers enter the game with a 3-3 record, fresh off a loss to Cornerstone Christian on Wednesday. Led by head coach Sean McDonnell, the Preppers have defeated Western Reserve Academy, Eastlake North, and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy thus far this season.
Wrestling
On Saturday, the Mat Cats will occupy the mats at Sullivan Gym for the first time in 2017. The Varsity Gold wrestling squad will host the Archbishop Hoban Knights and Padua Bruins at 2 p.m.
The Mat Cats last competed on December 30, taking part in the Brecksville Holiday Tournament. The Wildcats finished a solid 15th out of 48 teams. Karen Russell captured second at 182 pounds, while Aidan Gill took eighth at 220 pounds.
Saturday's contest will be the second split-mat home meet of the season for the Wildcats. Here is the round-by-round schedule:
Round 1:
Mat 1 - Saint Ignatius 106-145 vs. Hoban 106-145
Mat 2 - Saint Ignatius 152-285 vs. Padua 152-285
Round 2:
Mat 1 - Saint Ignatius 106-145 vs. Padua 106-145
Mat 2 - Padua 152-285 vs. Hoban 152-285
Round 3:
Mat 1 - Saint Ignatius 152-285 vs. Hoban 152-285
Mat 2 - Padua 106-145 vs. Hoban 106-145
Hockey
The Saint Ignatius hockey squad returns to the ice after some time off for the holidays. The Varsity Blue squad will host University School on Saturday at John M. Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn.
The Ice Cats stand at 12-4, last playing on December 22, defeating Walsh Jesuit, 3-2.
Saturday's game will be a rematch of the 2016 OHSAA Division I Ice Hockey Championship and the last three Cleveland Cup championships. The Wildcats have emerged victorious in the last eight matchups, including the state title game.
As of today, the Wildcats (4-0-0) and Preppers (2-0-0) are the last two undefeated Great Lakes Hockey League teams. The Preppers, 13-6-1 overall, must first defeat Walsh Jesuit on Friday to stay undefeated in league play.
Wildcats' forward Connor Koehnke leads the GLHL with 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists), but U.S. senior forward J.D. Clemens sits close behind with 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists). Goalkeeper Jackson Polish also represents a tough challenge for the Ice Cats. The senior has 53 saves against just 3 goals allowed in his 2 GLHL starts.
Puck drop on Saturday will be at 4:45 p.m.
Stats courtesy of Harrington Sports Media and the Great Lakes Hockey League.
Bowling
The Alley Cats restart Greater Cleveland Interscholastic Bowling League (GCIBL) play on Saturday, facing the Benedictine Bengals at Buckeye Lanes at 9 a.m.
The Saint Ignatius bowling squad returns to league play after participating in two tournaments over Christmas break. The Alley Cats snagged second at the Jingle Bell Bowl on December 18 and third at the Edward Zitnik Memorial Classic on December 28.
Saint Ignatius kegler Nick Frank drew Student-Athlete of the Week honors this week. The senior averaged a 220 at the Edward Zitnik Memorial Classic, throwing several key strikes to help the Wildcats advance to the second round and eventually finish third.
Best of luck to all four Wildcats teams in action this weekend.