Disappointing end for the season but overall, the Ignatius basketball program took a big step forward in a number of ways. Despite losing, tonight was a good experience for the underclassmen. Coach Joyce has installed a strong defense work ethic amongst the players in the program. Improvement of the offensive part of the game is the obvious ‘next step’. Turnovers have been a cause for the offensive challenges much of the season. That has to be addressed going into next season. The Cats need additional, accurate 3-point shooters to supplement Effertz.
Most (8) of the varsity players shall be returning for next year - Effertz, Yarian, Green, Little (‘24), Jackson (‘24), Szczepaniak (’23), Fletcher, Ruddy. However, Raynor, Yontek and Garcia’s size will be missed. There are some really good freshmen (’24) + sophomore talent coming up from the 19-2 JV team that had both size (and still growing) + athleticism. Coming to mind are 6-5 Marshall, 6-5 Maruca, 6-5 Starck, 6-3 Goodman, 6-4 Springer (‘24), Webster, Martin (‘24), Curry (‘24), Ellis (‘24) + some others. It’ll be interesting to see the composition of the varsity squad next season.
The future is much brighter for the Wildcat basketball program to compete at the elite level of Ohio HS basketball.