SULLIVAN GYM – Being the last one in Sullivan Gym after a loss is quite a different feeling than after a victory. As the cleaning crew folds up the bleachers and parents and players funnel out the doors at what seems to be a quicker pace than usual, all energy is gone. This time energy was sucked out of Sullivan Gym by Cornerstone Christian, for the first time in 25 home games. Up until last night the Wildcats had not a lost a game in Sullivan Gym since the retirement of the late Jim Skerl’s #34.
Although the Wildcats were not yet completely healthy with Chase Toppin sitting out for the week nursing an ankle injury, the return of Jon Barnes undoubtedly contributed talent needed to compete with some of the top ranked teams on the tough Ignatius schedule.
Cornerstone Christian had started off their season with three straight losses. Two of those being to top ranked Cleveland Heights, who the Wildcats will take on Thursday night, and Ignatius rival Saint Edwards. Cornerstone may be div. IV but they sure know what they are doing. Cornerstone took home the div. IV state championship in 2016. Led by Senior Michael Bothwell, the Furman recruit put up 29 points in their victory over the Wildcats.
Dom Dinunzio started off red hot scoring the first 9 points of the ballgame. Dom led the team with 13 points at halftime but was unable to keep his scoring up in the second half and finished the game with 13 points.
Barnes made his return and was no shy of making impact in his season debut with 6 points in first half. Barnes showed his athletic ability on defense while finishing the game with a team high 17 points. Barnes will be a force that the Wildcats will need to use Thursday vs. Cleveland Heights.
The Wildcats were up by 3 with a 28-25 advantage at halftime. The Wildcats allowed up a season high 20 points in the first quarter but turned things around in the second quarter only allowing 5 Patriot points. The second quarter gave the Wildcats the opportunity to get back into the game.
Shooting struggles continued from the first half onto the second. Wildcats were not able to get anything going from the three point line other than Dinunzio’s early three in the opening minutes of the game and two others from Melendez. Melendez, who had led the team scoring in first two games, was not able to find anything for the Cats finishing with just 6 points. The Wildcats finished 3 for 20 from the three point line.
Following Dom Dinunzio’s early 13 points in the first half he was unable to get the ball at all in the second half.
Following the game Dom spoke to the offensive struggles the Wildcats faced, “We have to get the ball down low. It opens up the floor and gives better opportunities for our guards. Has to change for Thursday.”
The wildcats trailed by 9 points with 4 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Tevin Jackson was able to nab to steals late in the game but was unable to produce any points. Neek Melendez’s second 3 pointer of the game with 4 minutes left and a bucket from Ozanne cut the Patriots lead to 6 with a minute and a half left in the game. The Wildcats gave themselves several opportunities in closing minutes of game but were unable to capitalize and fell to Cornerstone for first loss of the season.
“We need to wash it out of our heads,” Luke Wiskes said following the game, “We cannot let it affect us come Thursday.”
The Wildcats will have to make a quick turn around with only one day of practice before playing top ranked Cleveland Heights. Thursday’s game was already going to be a challenging one but now it becomes even more challenging as it becomes a bounce back game for the Cats. The Wildcats will have to clear their mind of last nights loss and avoid letting the struggles join them in Cleveland Heights tomorrow night.
Cleveland Heights has started their season off nicely at 3-0 with wins over VASJ and GTA Prep from Canada. The #16 ranked team in Cleveland.com rankings is led by football star Tyreke Smith who will most definitely be a physical presence all over the court. Last time the Wildcats were in the newly renovated Cleveland Heights Gym was for their season opener victory over John Hay.
Tomorrow night’s tip-off is set for 7:30 following the JV game at 6.
