St. Ignatius basketball 2022 - 2023

We defend well. We toughed it out.

Offense…we‘re not real good at doing the right things late in a tight, important game, are we?
 
Defense was good. If not for the guy who had half their points, wouldn't have been close even with terrible execution on other side of court.

But, the offense had me puzzled. I dont see any actual strategy. It simply seems like crash the rim, throw up wild shot or kick outside, rinse repeat
 
Also, Szczepaniak's injury in 2nd quarter (out for balance of the game) hurt. He's the one that gets loose balls, makes baskets in the crowd and provides steady leadership. His loss also affected substitutions during last 3rd and early 4th quarter when the Cats lost their 5 pt lead
 
LAMIRAND was the player of the game for Ignatius in the second half --in relief od Szcepaniak - a steal on the inbounds for a bucket in the half court,,a block on what would have been a poster dunk.. and a breakaway layup.
 
EDITING MY POST FROM EARLIER IN THE SEASON -
- Ok — can we all finally agree that Cam Joyce is not a very good game day coach ? That he is inexperienced and perhaps over his head ? He is a great recruiter It seems. Garnering transfers and assembling a very talented roster — likely the deepest roster in the state. His offense is atrocious — all one n one - little ball movement— lending itself to very selfish play by his team. Turnovers at the rate SIHS produces them at this stage of the season, with that talent is COACHING. Shot selection ? Awful. You play with no sense of urgency and with no energy in the regional final ? He has 5 or 6 coaches on the bench and what adjustments are made ? None that I saw. But the lack of any sort of team work, chemistry and approach will continue to haunt them.

Agree with the above poster -- coaching staff needs an overhaul.. does not seem assistants are helping. The talent and depth on this team is likely better than most any team I can recall at Igantius in decades. But in the end, basketball is a team game - ask the Brooklyn Nets.
 
I don't know enough to comment on basketball schemes. From a novice POV, it looks like a pickup game when the Cats are on offense.

GH played very good defense, so that was a factor as well.
 
PDC said:
I don't know enough to comment on basketball schemes. From a novice POV, it looks like a pickup game when the Cats are on offense.

GH played very good defense, so that was a factor as well.
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GH plays defense at a very high level (as can Ignatius). Not surprised at how low that score was.
 
PDC said:
I don't know enough to comment on basketball schemes. From a novice POV, it looks like a pickup game when the Cats are on offense.

GH played very good defense, so that was a factor as well.
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Exactly, looks like neighborhood basketball when I played growing up
 
For what it's worth, let me compare the arc of Cam's career to that of his father's. When Dru started at STVM he won a state title with LeBron, but who wouldn't have!?! If you look at the Irish teams after LeBron and company graduated there were a number of years where they had championship caliber talent but didn't bring home the title. There was similar talk that Coach Dru wasn't the best game coach, and, quite honestly, from my uniformed opinion, there was some truth to those criticisms. After some years, he beefed up his assistant coach staff and brought in coaches (especially Mike Meneer) who not only helped the program, but also helped him become a much better coach. My thought is that Cam Joyce should follow this blueprint. I will say that I have no idea of the makeup of the Ignatius assistant coaching staff, but it sounds like they could certainly use an experienced assistant who would help clean up some of the issues I see mentioned on this thread. And also someone from whom Cam can learn to become a better coach. In my mind, assistants should be more than just complementary; they should fill in those areas where the coach is not as proficient. Everyone has room to learn and room to grow. With the talent that Cam is drawing into the program, if he brings in a veteran assistant to help him improve as a bench coach, then the sky is the limit for this program.
 
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Agree with all the above posts.
there is talent, skills, size and depth on the Wildcat roster. There's a lot of experience coming back (4 starters, 9 of the first 12 that get playing time in essentially every game - there were 13 that played last night])
However, when it comes to the regionals and final 4 games, the opponent is pretty good too.
The Wildcats can defend, but they can't score. In the last 3 years, they've scored in their final tournament game (all losses): 42, 33, 37. That just doesn't cut it. The post-mortem for the last several years is that an organized offensive system and strategy is needed, but that has yet to occur
 
A coach...

A guy who sees a basketball team as a recipe...steak, baked potato, broccoli, a good roll, red wine. A chef who doesn't appreciate how to put together a good meal might serve chicken, pork, salmon, hamburger and turkey.

I see a team currently with a lot of athletic ability. I'm not entirely convinced that the basketball skills even exist at a high level...and, if they do, no one is engaging in very much "meal planning".
 
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I see more good than bad with Joyce’s tenure so far but obviously also the same shortcomings as everyone else. An experienced offensive-minded assistant would work wonders here.
 
catholic98 said:
EDITING MY POST FROM EARLIER IN THE SEASON -
- Ok — can we all finally agree that Cam Joyce is not a very good game day coach ? That he is inexperienced and perhaps over his head ? He is a great recruiter It seems. Garnering transfers and assembling a very talented roster — likely the deepest roster in the state.
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Could not agree more. Joyce is using Iggies to get to the next stop. He has the best talent in the greater Cleveland area hands down! Two years with all that talent and has underachieved. As soon as a title is won, he will be on his way. IF he can win one.
 
mailman112 said:
Could not agree more. Joyce is using Iggies to get to the next stop. He has the best talent in the greater Cleveland area hands down! Two years with all that talent and has underachieved. As soon as a title is won, he will be on his way. IF he can win one.
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As the gentleman above said well (cat alum), a basketball TEAM requires more than just raw talent. Perhaps start with basic clock management.. like drawing up some end of game sets. They had 25 + games to figure that out. And, unlike the venerable coach kyle, the ignatius coach has no other responsibilities at the school other than coach basketball.. 'cmon man!
 
I apologize for my ignorance, but, when did the school start to allow anyone to be a head coach without teaching etc? Racking my brain from my years in the 90s and I can't think of a single head coach that was not also a teacher
 
Wildcat97 said:
I apologize for my ignorance, but, when did the school start to allow anyone to be a head coach without teaching etc? Racking my brain from my years in the 90s and I can't think of a single head coach that was not also a teacher
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Sean O’Toole

Sean had some titles and responsibilities (?) within the athletic department. I don’t believe he was a teacher. Also, we have many sports these days…20? 25? The head coaches couldn’t all possibly be teachers.
 
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CatAlum said:
Sean O’Toole

Sean had some titles and responsibilities (?) within the athletic department. I don’t believe he was a teacher. Also, we have many sports these days…20? 25? The head coaches couldn’t all possibly be teachers.
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O’Toole was not a teacher, but Ganor was already coaching without teaching prior to that. Same with Mark Sullivan and Wrestling.
 
As i recall otoole was assistant ad.. i believe bball coach is a full time paid position ( could be incorrect and am happy to be corrected by some one more in the know).
 
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