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Winter Sports Update: Three Teams Begin Postseason Journeys; Two Squads at Home

By Joe Ginley '12, 02/15/19, 11:45AM EST

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Get caught up with all 5 Wildcats teams heading into a busy weekend.

February has surpassed its midpoint, and the postseason is gearing up for three Saint Ignatius winter sports squads. For the other two teams, the regular season's end is in sight.

A busy weekend awaits the Wildcats. Here's an update for all 5 Wildcats squads before an action-packed few days.

BOWLING

In tournament play: Yes
Tournament level: Sectionals
Day and time: Saturday, 9 am
Location: Wickliffe Lanes

The Alley Cats begin the postseason on Saturday. The team has experienced a few weeks off. The Wildcats' final match of the regular season was canceled due to poor weather conditions, and the team did not qualify for the Greater Cleveland Interscholastic Bowling League (GCIBL) playoffs. 

The Wildcats will be looking to earn a spot in the District Tournament in Saturday's Sectional Tournament. The young Alley Cats squad has experienced up's and down's this season, in part due to a learning curve on oil patterns. 

Senior Vinny Doran will look to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Anthony, who qualified for Districts last year. Anthony missed States by just 20 pins, but is enjoying a great start to his bowling and academic careers at Notre Dame College. 

HOCKEY

In tournament play: Yes
Tournament level: Districts
Day and time: Saturday, 12 pm
Location: John M. Coyne Recreation Center in Brooklyn

Just like the Alley Cats, the Saint Ignatius prep hockey team starts its postseason journey on Saturday. The Ice Cats will host Brecksville-Broadview Heights in a noon contest at Brooklyn in the opening round of the District Tournament (aka the Brooklyn State Qualifying Bracket on OHSAA.org).  

The Wildcats are heavily favored in Saturday's contest against the No. 19 seeded Bees. In the first round in 2017, the Ice Cats handed Brecksville-Broadview Heights an 11-0 defeat. 

Should the Wildcats win, the men of Pat O'Rourke '90 will advance to the District Quarterfinal on Tuesday at Brooklyn at 5:30 pm vs. the winner of No. 11 Midview/No. 18 Westlake. 

SWIMMING & DIVING

In tournament play: Yes
Tournament level: Districts
Day and time: Saturday, all day
Location: Bowling Green State University 

The Wildcats have already set to work in qualifying for States, as Will Claus qualified as a diver on Tuesday. Claus finished as District Champion, clinching a spot in Columbus. Noah Keim missed the cut, unfortunately, placing ninth.

The Wildcats' 20 swimmers will try to punch tickets to the State Meet next week with great efforts on Saturday. The team qualified all 20 swimmers for the District Meet in historic fashion at last week's Sectional Meet. Head Coach Mike Lehto expressed that he's as excited as he's ever been for a District Meet. 

Fans can follow along to Saturday's meet via SwimMeet.com or via our Twitter account @SIHSSports

BASKETBALL

In tournament play: No
Tournament start date: March 2
Weekend opponent: Erie Cathedral Prep
Day and time: Friday, 7 pm
Location: Sullivan Gym

The Wildcats have been on a roll as of late. The Basketball Cats have bottled seven straight wins over quality opponents such as VASJ, Benedictine, and St. Edward. 

The men of Brian Becker '77 look to keep the good times rolling on Friday, as the club hosts Erie Cathedral Prep at 7 pm. The Wildcats own a 12-5 all-time advantage over the Ramblers, dating back to the 1929-30 season. The Wildcats beat Prep on the road last year, 62-54. The Wildcats' first home game vs. Prep resulted in a 52-35 win in Carroll Gym in the 1947-48. The two storied programs last met at Saint Ignatius in the 2011-12 season, a 50-47 win for the Wildcats. 

Also happening this weekend is the much-anticipated Sullivan Showdown. The annual freshmen basketball tournament will draw hundreds of fans to Sullivan Gym from Saturday through Monday in an 8-team tournament with 3 games for each team. 

WRESTLING

In tournament play: No
Tournament start date: February 23
Weekend opponent: Strongsville 
Day and time: Saturday, 6 pm
Location: Sullivan Gym

The Mat Cats will host a special Senior and Alumni Night on Saturday evening in Sullivan Gym.

Before the match, the Wildcats will celebrate the accomplishments of eight seniors: DJ Huff, Tommy Gill, Patrick McGraw, Zach Morgan, Matthew Whipkey, Caden Campolieti, Seamus Cooney, and Seamus McCarthy.

Following the regular season finale, the Wildcats will host a post-match reception for alumni and their families along with current wrestlers and their families. The night is sure to be a festive one for the Mat Cats, a celebration of a wonderful season and program. 

The postseason starts on February 23 with the Sectional Tournament.