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Cutting Down the Nets: Sweet 16 schedule set as the first weekend of the NCAA tournament closes

The 68-team tournament field has gotten smaller after a first weekend of madness in the Big Dance. From surprises like #15-seed Florida Gulf Coast winning their first two tournament games in school history in their first ever appearance to #13-seed La Salle making it into the Sweet 16 after playing in a “First Four” play-in game last week just to make it into the 64-team tournament field.

We saw that the mid-major conference (non power) teams are closing in on the powerhouses of years past. The level of competition has increased extremely well, which makes for even more storylines. No team is safe, and Thursday and Friday night will be full of thrills with the fourth round of the tournament. On Saturday and Easter Sunday, the Elite Eight games will be played, by the way.

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Wildcat Volleyball has the experience to go far in 2013

by Carter Spearry ‘16

Spring is here and the Saint Ignatius volleyball team is ready for another impressive season.  Last year the team made it all the way to the elite eight in the State Tournament, but is hungry this year for more.  Head Coach Casey Marcello is in his sixth year at Saint Ignatius and has set his sights on getting his team to the final four in the state tournament.  With a team full of experience, he knows that there is nothing that they can’t handle.

The depth of this years’ team is incredible.  With eleven seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore, court experience is something they have in their favor.  Coach Marcello said, “With so many seniors playing at such a high level of volleyball and one of the tallest teams in the state, this team is going to be very special.”  He credits the substitutes for pushing the starters so hard during practice.  Having a competitive atmosphere at practice is a big deal, and prepares the team to push themselves to the limit, similar to a game scenario.

With great depth comes great players, and there are a few impact players that stick out when they’re on the court.  Senior setter Ian McKenna resembles the quarterback of the team.  With it being his third year on varsity, he knows his teammates well and is the motor of the offense.  One of McKenna’s best weapons is senior outside hitter Jeff Granger.  Jeff has played on the national level on many occasions and is one of the top outside hitters in the state.  The big man on the court is senior middle hitter Mike Robertson.  He has a huge presence on the court, being one of the best blockers on the team. His chemistry with McKenna can lead to exciting surprise plays when the opposition is least expecting it.

When asked about the strengths of the team, Coach Marcello responded saying “We can block anyone in the state.  With a solid front row, we are a forced to be reckoned with when hitting and blocking the ball.”  He also said that the team has four players that have played for Junior Nationals, and with plenty of other players playing club volleyball around the city of Cleveland, the extra reps can carry this team.  With so many starters playing at the national level, they know what it takes to compete against some of the best teams in the nation.

With great depth and even better experience, this team has the ability to make a run to remember.

 

Games to watch
Saint Ignatius Invitational Tournament @ Sullivan Gym- Saturday, April 6th, 9am-3pm
St. Edward @ Sullivan Gym- Friday, April 19th, 7:00 pm
SENIOR NIGHT Andrews Osborne @ Sullivan Gym- Thursday, May 9th, 6:00 pm

Staying balanced and finding consistency are what Wildcat Baseball aims for in 2013

By John Fanta ‘13

A tough schedule will challenge the Wildcats this spring, as Coach Brad Ganor could not be more excited for Opening Day on April 1st. The Wildcats come off of a regional semifinal loss to Westlake last season. Saint Ignatius has the leaders in Dan Rowbottom and Conor Hennessey, and the athleticism in plenty of juniors.

The Wildcats did go through a switch from aluminum to wooden bats last season. From the players’ feedback, they will use the OHSAA legal aluminum sticks this spring.

When talking to Coach Ganor (170-59 at Saint Ignatius) about what he was excited about for the 2013 season, he said, “I want to see the sun out when April 1st comes around on Opening Day against Youngstown Boardman. This team has so much potential, and April 1st could not come soon enough. I keep saying this too people, but this team reminds me of the one in 2009.” Coach Ganor is referring to a team that made a run all the way to the State Final Four. The Wildcats are filled with quite a bit of leadership and depth for the spring. It all starts with the first two captains for the ‘Cats, who were named last spring at the 2012 banquet.

Brad Ganor enters his ninth season at Saint Ignatius. He has a record of 170-59, and has led the 'Cats to three state final four appearances ('07, '08, '09).
Brad Ganor enters his ninth season at Saint Ignatius. He has a record of 170-59, and has led the ‘Cats to three state final four appearances (’07, ’08, ’09).

Conor Hennessey, the Saint Ignatius Offensive Player of the Year in 2012, will hit lead off again in 2013. With a .352 average, six doubles and two triples last spring, Hennessey shows his quickness as a receiver on the football field on the base paths as well. The senior center fielder is quite aggressive, as he says, “Standing near the top of the plate is what I love to do. I really like the look of our team. Can’t wait.”

Second baseman Dan Rowbottom, who is recruited by Illinois, hit .313 with nine doubles, three triples, and the Wildcats’ only home run (with the wooden bats) in 2012. Dan was a Sun News All-Star in 2012, and looks to keep on surging in 2013 before he heads off to Illinois. “This team gets me really excited because we have such a special chemistry. I am very pumped to get everything going.”

The Wildcats’ third captain, Kyle Pluta, talked about the pitching staff and what he most anticipates this spring. “This is a very competitive staff. There is such a great attitude, as I feel like any one of us can perform when called upon. Knowing your role is so important,” Pluta said.

The staff is led by lefty ace Tom Rolle, who will be heading to Ashland University next year. Kyle Pluta will be a starter this spring for the ‘Cats as well. Full of heat, senior Matt Lynch will tow the rubber, along with lefty Nick Margevicius, who was excellent at the JV level last year.

The staff’s depth is showed through the extra contributors, as junior (Miami of Ohio recruit) Nick Longo will close. Two other juniors who will add to the staff are Shane Skuhrovec and Nick Fabian. “Everybody must know their role and stay focused. As I said to the guys, ‘When your name is called, be ready.’ That’s what needs to happen. These guys pitched significant innings and the JV players got to play at nice venues to experience what being a varsity player would be like,” said Coach.

Another headline for the spring is the shortstop position, as senior captain Tyler Finkler will move there from third base to take over the middle infield with Dan Rowbottom. Finkler has a skillful glove and a strong bat in Finkler, who is right-handed.

“I am comfortable with us defensively. Our line-up, from top to bottom, is loaded. That’s where my job isn’t easy, as decisions come tough for where to put everybody. I love our outfield. They are excellently quick,” said Ganor. Nick Fabian, Conor Hennessey, Nick Longo, Kyle Daugenti, and Shane Skuhrovec will fill out the outfield.

Another big question this year is the catcher position. Getting a big opportunity is junior left-hander Pat Gulick. Gulick has a strong bat and is pumped for the spring. “I’m loving this opportunity,” said Gulick. Seniors Kevin Hagen and Jagger Bruck will be the other two catchers for the ‘Cats.

At first base, Joe Khoury will potentially start, but Bennett Kinzel is right behind him also. Cole Nieto will start at third base for the Wildcats.

Looking at the Schedule- The Wildcats begin during Saint Ignatius High School’s Easter break. On April 1st, the ‘Cats open up at Youngstown Boardman. After playing at Amherst Steele on April 3rd, the ‘Cats travel to Columbus Chillicothe for a doubleheader with Bishop Watterson and Grove City. The following day, they play a doubleheader at Dublin. On April 10th, the Wildcats open up at their new home field, Classic Park (home of the Lake County Captains), to play Nordonia. On April 26, the Wildcats meet Avon Lake at Progressive Field under the lights (First pitch: 8 pm). Freshman, JV, and Varsity match-ups between Saint Ignatius and St. Edward take place on May 11 at the Wildcats’ other home place, Baldwin Wallace. The Ohio Jesuit Tournament is May 4-5 at Classic Park, featuring Saint Ignatius, Walsh Jesuit, Saint Xavier, and Toledo Saint John.

After falling in the Regional Semifinals last year, the sky is the limit for the Wildcats. Get ready for one exciting spring.

The official home of Saint Ignatius Baseball and all Saint Ignatius spring sports is the Saint Ignatius Broadcasting Network. Weather permitting, the SIBN has coverage of over 20 games during the regular season and we will carry each playoff game.

I’ll be on the play-by-play call with a cast of thousands this spring. Go to Ignatius.edu/sibn for our complete schedule.

2013 Varsity Baseball Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time Results Record 
April 1 Youngstown Boardman Youngstown Boardman 4:30 PM
April 3 Amherst Amherst HS 4:30 PM
April 5 Bishop Watterson Chillicothe 1:00 PM
April 5 Grove City Chillicothe 5:00 PM
April 6 Dublin Jerome Dublin Jerome 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM
April 9 Massillon Jackson Massillon Jackson 4:30 PM
April 10 Nordonia Classic Park 4:30 PM
April 11 Archbishop Hoban Archbishop Hoban 4:30 PM
April 13 Canfield Bob Cene Park 11:00 AM
April 15 Saint Vincent-Saint Mary Patterson Park 4:30 PM
April 16 Westlake Westlake HS 7:00 PM
April 18 Twinsburg Baldwin Wallace  4:30 PM 
April 20 Mansfield Madison Madison HS 11:00 AM
April 20 Midview Madison HS 1:30 PM
April 23 Willoughby South Classic Park 4:30 PM 
April 24 St. Edward Classic Park 4:30 PM
April 26 Avon Lake Progressive Field 8:00 PM
April 27 Strongsville Strongsville HS 10:00 AM
April 27 Avon Strongsville HS 12:30 PM
May 1 Kenston Classic Park 4:30 PM
May 4 OJT Walsh Jesuit Classic Park 10:00 AM
May 4 OJT St. Xavier  Classic Park  5:00 PM 
May 5 OJT St. John Jesuit  Classic Park  TBD 
May 8 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin NDCL 4:30 PM
May 9  Cuyahoga Falls Water Works Park 4:30 PM
May 10 Lakewood Lakewood HS  7:00 PM
May 11 St. Edward  Baldwin Wallace 4:30 PM 

Cutting Down the Nets: Sleeper teams arise on Friday while higher seeds survive and advance; round of 32 ready to go

There’s always madness in the tournament, it’s just whether we so-called “analysts” can call them out. Yes, Joe Lunardi of ESPN gets the tournament field together and passes it to the Dick Vitale’s of the world, but even they can only do so much. The unpredictability of the madness is why the TV ratings are at a high and why four networks combine to carry every game (costs $ 11.8 million per game).

History was made on Friday for one school. Florida Gulf Coast was a school with an enrollment of 11,291 students located in Fort Myers. It’s a school that specializes in engineering, environmental studies, and investigation concentration. When you type in “What does Florida Gulf Coast stand for?” on google now, let’s just say that the academics were kicked down the websites at the top.

 

#15-seed Florida Gulf Coast Win First Tournament Game in School History as Eagles Shock #2-seed Georgetown, 78-68

It was the seventh time in the history of the tournament that a #15 beat a #2. In their first ever tournament, the FGCU Eagles shocked the country with a massive victory. Senior guard Sherwood Brown (6’4, 200 lbs) scored 24 points while sophomore guard Bernard Thompson (6’3, 166 lbs) put up 23 points. Markel Starks scored 23 points for Georgetown, but the Hoyas just did not have an answer for Florida Gulf Coast defensively. Otto Porter, the Big East Player of the Year, scored 13 points, but was 5/17 from the field and really struggled. The run of belief started at the end of half, where Florida Gulf Coast went on a 13-4 run to take a 24-22 lead at the break. It was the fourth time this season that Georgetown had allowed more than a point per possession, as FGCU scored 78 points on 76 possessions. We all watched a possible Cinderella get her slipper fit. Florida Gulf Coast plays seventh-seed San Diego State on Sunday, who beat tenth-seed Oklahoma, 70-55, on Friday.

Brackets were busted as the Eagles advance. How did this happen? There’s a certain level of room that a team has to leave for a sleeper to arise. Georgetown has not reached past the Round of 32 since 2007, so the Eagles saw that coming in. They cause match-up issues though, as their speed is quite amazing. Their height is special too, as they were tight with Georgetown in a rebounding battle that frankly, the Hoyas should have won. What a game, and what a way for a school to that was only eligible for the second year to make the tournament, to make themselves known to the nation. This is why we love the madness.

 

Friday Scores

Midwest- #2 Duke 73, #15 Albany 61 – Duke plays #7 Creighton Sunday

West- #12 Ole Miss 57, #5 Wisconsin 46 – Ole Miss plays #13 La Salle Sunday

East- #9 Temple 76, #8 NC State 72 – Temple plays #1 Indiana Sunday

East- #2 Miami 78, #15 Pacific 49 – Miami plays #7-seed Illinois Sunday

Midwest- #7 Creighton 67, #10 Cincinnati 63 – Creighton plays #2-seed Duke Sunday

West- #13 La Salle 63, #4 Kansas State 61 – La Salle plays #12-seed Ole Miss Sunday

East- #1 Indiana 83, #16 James Madison 62 – Indiana plays #9-seed Temple Sunday

East- #7 Illinois 57, #10 Colorado 49 – Illinois plays #2-seed Miami Sunday

South- #15 Florida Gulf Coast 78, #2 Georgetown 68 – Florida Gulf Coast plays #7-seed San Diego State Sunday

West- #2 Ohio State 95, #15 Iona – Ohio State plays Iowa State Sunday

#8 North Carolina 78, #9 Villanova 71 – North Carolina plays #1-seed Kansas Sunday

South- #3 Florida 79, #14 Northwestern State 47 – Florida plays #11-seed Minnesota Sunday

South- #7 San Diego State 70, #10 Oklahoma 55 – San Diego State plays #15-seed Florida Gulf Coast Sunday

West- #10 Iowa State 76, #7 Notre Dame 58 – Iowa State plays #2-seed Ohio State Sunday

South- #1 Kansas 64, #16 Western Kentucky 57 – Kansas plays #8-seed North Carolina

South- #11 Minnesota 83, #6 UCLA 63 – Minnesota plays #3-seed Florida

 

Saturday Scores

Michigan the first to reach the Sweet 16

Midwest: #4 Michigan 78, #5 Virginia Commonwealth 53 – Mitch McGary scored 21 points and racked down 14 rebounds to lead the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 contest with the winner of Kansas/North Carolina next week. It was Shaka Smart’s worst loss in his head coaching career for VCU. The Rams’ defense had no answer for Trey Burke and company, who roll into the next round. No magic for VCU this year.

 

Saturday Predictions

Check my twitter @JohnFanta13

Today’s Picks: Michigan St. over Memphis, Louisville over Colorado St., Arizona over Harvard, St. Louis over Oregon, Marquette over Butler, Gonzaga over Wichita St., Syracuse over California.

 

 

Saint Ignatius Rugby roars through Strongsville 60-0 in first ever home game

by John Fanta ‘13

Coach Dan Arbeznik wore a big smile as he watched his Wildcat Rugby program achieve their first home victory. The snow poured on to Wasmer Field on a brisk night, but the ‘Cats weren’t bothered by that. The Wildcats, who went in 1-1 after topping Southeastern (36-5) and falling to Cathedral (17-0) in the first weekend of the season out in Indiana.

Strongsville came out stunned by the Wildcats’ hitting, as Frank Rolf got the scoring going early. It was 7-0 in favor of Saint Ignatius after Ryan Linker’s conversion. Senior Mark Morek dished a pass to Ryan Linker for another Saint Ignatius try (like a touchdown, worth 5 points). Frank Rolf went on to put in his second try of the night (4th on the season). At half, Saint Ignatius led 34-0. In the second half, Cody Gulasey, strong sophomore Michael Mathews, senior Irishman Pat Carney, and rumbling John Lawler all put in tries. Michael Mathews was phenomenal. “It was a memorable night. I have been waiting for this for a long time and we were extremely excited for tonight,” said Coach Dan Arbeznik.

The Wildcats face a big showdown with the #6-ranked team in the country, Westerville North. Saint Ignatius meets Westerville at 7:30 pm (JV at 6 pm). Senior captain Ian McDonald said it, “We need to make a statement Saturday. It’s time for Saint Ignatius Rugby to begin showing teams what we are made of this year.”

16 Games on Tap for Thursday to Start the Madness in the NCAA Tournament

The “First Four” play-in games are now finished at the University of Dayton, but this tournament hasn’t even started to go near the level that it can get to at its ceiling. 16 games fill one of my favorite days in sports tomorrow, as the 64-team tournament field. Will you be in a great mood or will you be tearing up your bracket tomorrow night? To follow me for every single NCAA tournament game update, go to twitter and click on @JohnFanta13 when you find me. I’ll be keeping track of the Big Dance.

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Zupan/Manning win election; Read president elect Zupan’s statement

Michael Zupan submitted the following statement after winning the election for 2013-2014 student body president. 

 

My Dear Classmates,

The race has finally come to a close, and I want to thank everyone that voted. Thank you all for giving your input towards our school’s government. I also want to thank Paul and Joe for running and making it such a close race. For all of you who didn’t vote, I encourage you still to vote in the upcoming Class Elections. Many of you will have friends running. Support them and help them try to make the office they seek.

Now that the elections are over, Carlos is still El Presidente for a while. I won’t take over office until well after spring break. And it won’t really be until next year, when Senate is in full swing again, that Owen and I will really take over and start to integrate our plans into life around school. Please keep in mind, and this goes for everyone, we are always open to suggestions, ideas, and criticisms, assuming they’re not completely absurd. We are always looking for new ideas and also, new faces. Don’t be afraid to throw your name into the mix for class positions, or to bring ideas to your class officers as well.

So, my friends, a sincere thank you is in order from Owen and me. Thank you all for choosing us to represent you next year. We give you our word that we will try our best to bring you guys what you want, when you want it. Thanks all, and Go Cats.

-King Zupan II ( “K”-Z)

In One Ear, Out the Other: In Full Swing

Greetings my loyal followers. I’d like to apologize for this little hiatus, but as you hopefully have figured out, everyday is a struggle. I wake up after much to little sleep (I get about 5 hours a night), snag a bagel or some fruit, and drive to school in a comatose state of consciousness. The daily grind only continues as I go from class to class. Not to say that my teachers aren’t thebomb.com, but I’m a second semester senior and that means senioritis is in full swing. Four years at Ignatius is the best amount of time. I like here, and I’ll be sad to see it in my rear view mirror for the last time as a student. That being said, it’s time to go onto bigger things. The idea of going off to college is an exciting one. Already having been accepted in several of the nations best most amazingly prestigious universities, makes high school seem so yesterday. New people, surrounds, and classes are enough to make me crave getting away from W.25th and Lorain. I guess the melancholy of severing a tie like this is real.

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Students cast their ballots for next year’s leaders

The first round of Student Senate elections are underway. On Monday morning, students from the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes gathered together in the Sullivan gymnasium employing the seldom used “extended homeroom” schedule to hear the testimonials of four juniors running with their partners for the offices of student body president and vice president, respectively.

Following this opportunity for voters to hear the candidates’ speeches, students flocked to the voting booth on stage in Rade to make their initial decisions during lunch periods. Each student was allowed to vote for two tickets. Candidates were Paul Haddad and Joseph Mazhuvanchery, John Napoli and Richard Benninger, Russell Ellis and Peter Simcox, and Michael Zupan and Owen Manning. After 9th period, following ballot countings by current senate leaders, it was announced that the Haddad/Mazhuvanchery and Zupan/Manning tickets would progress into the final round of voting. This will be the final slate election and decides which juniors will be inaugurated this spring as student body president and vice president.

Once the slate election is decided, the campaigning process for sophomore, junior, and senior class president, vice president, and senators will begin. Fellow students will once again have the opportunity to choose which leaders they will have represent them in the 2013-2014 school year. Potential senate members will be attending information sessions and gathering signatures from other students throughout the week. After this round elections, which will follow a similar primary/final pattern, the slate, along with Mr. Kelley and Mr. Popelka, will review cabinet member applications and select positions, and the upcoming year’s student senate will be all accounted for.

All school mass celebrates the first Jesuit Pope

Today the school participated in a mass to celebrate the official selection of the new pope, Pope Francis. The incense was strong, the mood was set, and Fr. Murphy, S.J. delivered a moving homily on the new generations of popes throughout his life and what they teach us. It was even streamed live to the internet on the SIBN.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the new pope is the fact that he is a Jesuit. Although he doesn’t have direct ties to our school, this strikes a chord with our student body. One student commented “I think it’s unique that the new pope is Jesuit and seems almost as if he was related to our school.” Another said, “It is very exciting having a South American, Jesuit pope because it really sets him apart from others.”

This mass set the stage for what looks to be a great papacy.

 

Photos by Jack Cotton ’14

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About The Eye

The Eye is the student-led publication of Saint Ignatius High School.

Editors-in-Chief: Kelly Coleman '23, Young Kim '23 & Aidan Oliss '23