by Pat McGuire ’14
Basketball
Head Coach Sean O’Toole heads into the 2013-2014 with a young, yet motivated team. The Wildcats are coming off a trip to the district final, being defeated by a very athletic Shaker Heights team. Coach O’Toole and the Wildcats will have everything to prove this season. Saint Ignatius loses it best scorer in years in Francisco Santiago as well as a stout backcourt composed of Derek Sloan and Alec Papesch, along with significant role players of Bryan Fischer and Austin Sterpka. And then there’s the ACL of Kyle Berger. Berger, who sustained a torn ACL during the preseason of football, will be incapacitated for the 2013-2014 season.
First, the keys for the Wildcat team must come from the offensive end of the court. Coach O’Toole’s strategy has always been to play stifling defense against their opponents; therefore, the onus to score points is greater than ever. In terms of the front court, Seniors Isiah Barbara and Danny Bova need to create offense for the Wildcats in either of two ways: creating shots for themselves off screens or by feeding the “bigs” in the Saint Ignatius back court. The bulk of the points should come from the Black brothers, Eric and David, as well as Juniors Dre’ Jones and Mikal Outcalt. Last season, Eric started at the power forward position with his twin brother coming off the bench at the same position. Jones and Outcalt ran the show at the JV level last year, creating a formidable “4-5” combination for Coach Larry Arthur.
Offensive rebounding as well as a fast-paced, “run the floor” fast-break offense will be key for the Wildcats’ success this season. In terms of defense, the ‘Cats must keep true to the strategy of Coach Sean O’Toole, which is to clog the lane and force opponents to take outside, low-percentage shots.
The Wildcats will have their work cut out for them as they will face strong teams all the way through the season, including St. Vincent-St. Mary, Glenville, St. Edward (twice), and concluding with perennial contender Villa-Angela St. Joseph.
Wrestling
Coach Mark Sullivan and the WIldcat wrestling team will prepare for the 2013-2014 in the brand new Gibbons Hall as they try to make a run for the playoffs.
Last season’s wrestling squad boasted senior leadership from Tommy Ziegler, a Plain Dealer All-Star Wrestler and Isen Vajusi, alongside stellar Junior Anthony McLaughlin. This Year, Coach Sullivan will be relying on his two captains, Senior Anthony McLaughlin and Sophomore Kyle Vilsack. Mark Sullivan and the Wildcat Wrestling team will see if they can duplicate another strong season that the program has seen in recent years.
Swimming and Diving
Jeff Ridler and the swimming and diving team returns two of the most prolific swimmers Saint Ignatius has seen: Pete Simcox and Nate Christian.
These two seniors were a part of several record breaking relay teams in 2012-2013 and look to continue their winning ways this season. The team as a whole finished second last year only to the swimming powerhouse that is Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Bowling
The Saint ignatius Bowling Team have started pff their season well. They have won their first three events against Villa-Angela Saint Joseph, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Brecksville. The Wildcats’ victories could not be more different. The ‘Cats defeated their opponents by a margin of 1003 pins, 230 pins, and then just 18 pins respectively. The ‘Cats look to continue their winning ways against Olmsted Falls on December 7th.
