CLEVELAND – The tone for the Wildcats’ offense was set from the beginning of the game with Cleveland Heights’ Keyshawn Hall not in their lineup and leaving a gaping hole in the middle and St. Ignatius had the man to exploit it.
“I’ve been waiting for a game like that for Henry,” St. Ignatius coach Cam Joyce said about his senior big-man Henry Raynor.
Raynor’s 26 points and eight rebounds led the Wildcats’ charge as they went on to defeat Cleveland Heights 57-51.
https://t.co/WAfvdRyaoP pic.twitter.com/HcV5oF7RN8
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
“(Raynor) is such a good player. He is so talented at all three levels. The best thing I’ve seen from him was being aggressive around the rim. Sometimes, you see him in games and he hesitates… He went right at those guys and it was great to see.”
Raynor was at the rim from the opening tip by scoring 13 of St. Ignatius’ 17 points in the first quarter.
End of Q1.
St Ignatius 17
Cle. Hts. 16Raynor has 5 rebounds, and 13 PTS.@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/S78n3CLHAA
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
He played with high efficiency from the field, missing only two shots (12-of-14 from the field) and turned the ball over once to go with his team-high 26 points and nine rebounds.
St. Ignatius (9-4) wanted to control the paint and they did with a 27-14 rebounding advantage. 12 of the Wildcats’ rebounds came from the offensive end.
Raynor’s play in the paint made the Tigers key in on him in the middle, leaving shooters in open. The Wildcats made 6-of-17 threes.
Despite Raynor dominating the middle, Cleveland Heights (4-7, 2-3 in Lake Erie League) adjusted and took the lead in the second quarter and led at halftime 29-26.
“We had some turnover,” Joyce said.
“We gave up some offensive rebounds and they feed off of that. They feed off emotion. They feed off the energy. I thought E.J. (Farmer) had some easy [points]… We had some breakdowns and they took advantage of it.”
Tigers have the momentum an a 29-26 lead over St Ignatius with 32 seconds left in the first half.@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/wm4hYfcNCO
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
Farmer, Davon Smith-Johnson, and Jaylen Davis (3 blocks), who came off the bench seized the opportunity. The three were the lone scorers for the Tigers and also played quality defense, allowing nine Wildcats’ points to their 13.
What a block by Davis!@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/8jdO0iEfdi
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
The momentum in the second half shifted towards St. Ignatius and it started with their defense and taking care of the basketball.
Raynor with the steal and score for the Wildcats.@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/2cJ4gRpnte
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
“We lost to Lutheran East and (St. Vincent-St. Mary), when we were in those games, but we had 18-19 turnovers,” Joyce said.
End of Q3
St. Ignatius leads 41-38.@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/uJ2Uvdooz2
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
Tonight, we had 10 turnovers, three in the second half. That shows the growth of handling traps and handling pressure.
End of Q3
St. Ignatius leads 41-38.@SIHSSports @GoHeightsTigers @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/uJ2Uvdooz2
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
The fourth quarter was still close and the Wildcats iced Cleveland Heights with their efficiency from the free-throw line as they made 4-of-5 shots to keep their lead, and showing their growth.
The Wildcats’ second-leading scorer was Jon Effertz with 12 points. Farmer (18 points) and Smith-Johnson (13 points) of Cleveland Heights also finished in double digits.
Here is the official scorebook for St. Ignatius’ 57-51 win over Cleveland Heights. pic.twitter.com/gK88PDAUuV
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) January 21, 2021
Both teams will play on the road for their next game as St. Ignatius will take on Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Saturday, Jan. 23 and Cleveland Heights will face Warrensville Heights on Friday, Jan. 22.
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