Ohio City - Coming off a loss to longtime rival St. Edward last weekend in Father Sullivan Gymnasium, the 8-3 Wildcats went right back to work on Monday in preparation for two more area headliners.
In St. Edward, Saint Ignatius was facing the seven-county area's second-ranked team. On Friday night, the 'Cats will welcome the area's fifth-ranked Garfield Heights Bulldogs (7-3) to Sullivan Gym and on Saturday night the fourth-ranked Ironmen (9-2) from Cleveland Central Catholic will make the short trip to Ohio City to face Saint Ignatius in the storied gymnasium that sits proudly on Lorain Avenue.
Coach Brian Becker's Wildcats, currently ranked ninth in cleveland.com's Top 25 seven-county area poll, experienced another fast-paced, physical encounter with St. Edward and can expect nothing less but the same from Garfield Heights and Central Catholic.
The Varsity Games on Friday and Saturday will tip off at 7 PM and will be preceded by Junior Varsity Games at 5:30. Coach Chris Salata's JV Wildcats will take a 10-1 record into this weekend's action.
If you can't make it out to this weekend's games, the Saint Ignatius Broadcast Network, headed by "The Dean," Matt MacKenzie, will bring them to you live.
Here is a corner's view of Garfield Heights and Cleveland Central Catholic, followed by Coach Becker's weekly outlook.
Garfield Heights: Under the direction of the Bulldogs' Ohio Mr. Basketball, 14-year Head Coach Sonny Johnson, Garfield Heights is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Two of the losses came at the hands of the eighth-ranked Brush High Arcs, 63-60, and the 16th-ranked, Michael Bothwell-led Patriots from Cornerstone Christian Academy, 80-59. Michael celebrated his 18th Birthday by dropping 38 points on the Bulldogs. Ah, those Hoosiers-like Patriots.
Cornerstone Christian paid a visit to Sullivan Gymnasium on December 12th and defeated the Wildcats, 61-51.
It is certainly no secret that Garfield Heights has an array of big-time college recruits, headed by 6-foot-9 post/forward Alonzo Gaffney. Described by Saint Ignatius' outstanding Assistant Coach and Chief Scout Jerry Porath as a big man who runs the floor like a guard, Gaffney is an exceptional shot blocker who can hurt you in transition. He must be boxed out.
An example of Gaffney's endless potential took place in the Bulldogs' victory over currently third-ranked Shaker Heights when Alonzo had a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10, count 'em, 10 blocks.
Another dynamic Bulldog is guard Demetrius "Meechie" Johnson Jr., Sonny's nephew. Meechie is a shooter with deep range and an attacker who draws fouls. Among his 18.4 points per game was a 50-point performance in an 89-83 victory at Benedictine.
While the list of talent is endless out on Turney Road, a few of the other Bulldogs to watch are 6-7 forward Brison Walter, a long and athletic performer who is a strong offensive rebounder, a shot blocker and a young man who does most of his damage at the rim, 6-5 guard Taj Maal Toney, an aggressive defender who has rattled a few rims with authoritative dunks, and 5-11 guard Alex Heath, the "Dawgs'" primary ball handler and a baseline shooter who is averaging right around 18 points per game. Heath scored 23 points in Garfield Heights' 83-76 overtime victory over 10th-ranked St. Vincent-St. Mary.
The last time this old gym rat had the opportunity to cover and report on a Saint Ignatius vs. Garfield Heights game was March 12th, 2016, when the Bulldogs edged the Wildcats, 70-69, in double overtime at the Cleveland State University Regional Final. It was an instant classic that featured five buzzer-beating shots, including two half-court heaves from Wildcats standout Ryan Berger '16, who is currently a mainstay for the Blue Streaks from John Carroll University.
Cleveland Central Catholic: Despite the loss of Alex Heath to Garfield Heights, the Ironmen are doing just fine, Thank You.
Coach Jordan Duke's team earned its fourth-place area ranking with a 76-63 victory over Villa Angela-St. Joseph last weekend in the St. Stan's Social Center, a setting this seasoned reporter called a home away from home many, many Friday nights, including the legendary era of the outstanding Earl Boykins, one of the greatest players in the history of Ohio High School Basketball. That era also included Central Catholic coaching legends Jim Serluco and the late Joe LaBella. I will never forget the kindness and class that the Central Catholic Administration and Athletic Family always displayed and continues to do so.
After the Ironmen defeated the Vikings, Villa Angela- St. Joseph's highly successful Head Coach Babe Kwasniak described Coach Duke as one of the most underrated coaches in the entire area.
When you talk about the current Ironmen, you start with their 6-2 senior guards and twin brothers Delshawn and Dyshawn Jackson.
Delshawn Jackson averages 18 points and five rebounds, and has had three games this season in which he produced more than 25 points. A player who seems to favor the corner 3-pointer, Delshawn will also attack the basket and try to draw contact.
Dyshawn Jackson, who scored 21 points in the victory over Villa Angela-St. Joseph, averages nearly 13 points an outing and brings to his game exceptional quickness, pressure, the ability to run the floor and rebound.
The Jackson duo is supported by 6-3 senior forward Jerry Coleman, a high energy player who has averaged 15 points over the last nine games. A solid defender and rebounder, Coleman had a 20-point night versus Villa Angela-St. Joseph. Coach Porath warned that Coleman plays much bigger than his 6-3 frame.
Among the other Ironmen who have had a significant impact this winter are 5-11 senior guard Anthony Billups, 6-7 senior forward Dwight Love and 6-5 junior forward Taryl Davis.
Billups is a savvy point guard who is averaging five assists a game, Love is an excellent rebounder who has blocked 32 shots, and Davis also does his best work around the rim.
FROM COACH BECKER: "I am sure Garfield is going to come in very hungry after losing three games in a row. Certainly, they will be looking to right the ship against us.
"We go from the frying pan right into the fire, when you go from St. Eds, Garfield and then Central Catholic, whose guards (the Jacksons) are really, really good.
"Certainly Garfield is as advertised. They're big, strong and athletic. I think they have eight or nine guys who have Division I offers. They're the full package. Their guards are really quick and shoot the ball really deep, their big men are agile and they are extremely active on their defensive press.
"If you are lucky to get by their quick, athletic guards, then you're faced with a 6-9 shot blocker in Gaffney, who is going to be a really good Division I player. We're going to have to play a smart game, control the tempo a little bit and make shots. Our shot selection against St. Eds was okay, they just didn't go in the basket. When you shoot under 30 percent like we did, it's hard to win any type of game.
"Good things can happen if we take care of the basketball and if our guard play is as good as their guard play. Our guards have got to take care of the basketball. If we don't, it could be trouble early and often.
"It's actually a good weekend, because the prep is similar. They both (Garfield Heights and Central Catholic) have very good guard play. Central Catholic's guards are a little more physical and hungrier, they don't settle for the three-balls (3-pointers) that the Garfield guards do. But they're (the Ironmen guards) capable of making three-balls. It' an easy prep in that look, we've got to take care of the basketball both nights. (Wildcats guards) Tevin Jackson, Chase Toppin and Jon Barnes have to make good decisions, otherwise we will be in a boat load of trouble.
"We've got to come with our A game both nights and we're up to that challenge."
Coach Becker said the Wildcats will be without their outstanding senior guard Neeko Melendez this weekend. An exceptional shooter and savvy all-around player, Neeko was injured during the St. Edward game. Neeko scored a game-high 24 points against the Eagles, including four 3-pointers.
A young man who has displayed nothing but kindness and respect to this corner, Neeko will still be providing his mature beyond his years leadership for his teammates and coaches this weekend.
We'll see you at St. Vincent-St. Mary's LeBron James Arena tomorrow (Thursday) night at 6 for the Freshmen Game between the Blue Cats and the Fighting Irish, and of course at Father Sullivan Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday. Coach Regan Sweeney's Blue Cats will be looking to improve to 8-2.