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In Game 5 of the Hoover Hoops MLK Classic, St Ignatius found themselves in an early hole. But patience & clutch shooting pulled the Wildcats by the host Hoover Vikings in a come from behind 49-42 victory.
The Hoover Vikings made 6 of their first 9 shots from the field as they took an early 13-5 lead after 1 quarter. Mason Bille used his 6 foot 6 frame to muscle his way inside twice & Wesley Collins hit a 3 pointer as the host school was thinking upset. Mike Lamirand & Damon Friery scored the first 2 field goals for the Wildcats to keep their team close in the early stages.
In the second quarter St. Ignatius came back as Ace Buckner hit 2 shots from beyond the 3-point arc to draw the Wildcats to within 13-11. Later in the second Bradyn Szczepaniak worked his way inside twice to score from down low as well as Carter Jackson & Matt Ellis as St. Ignatius surged ahead to take a 22-18 lead. Hoover’s Zack Broucher hit a 3 of his won just before the end of the half as the Wildcats took a razor thin 22-21 lead to halftime.
Early in the third Damon Friery connected twice from 3-point range as the Wildcats took a 28-21 lead. But Hoover’s Mason Bille once again created space inside twice, one of which he converted on an old-fashioned 3-point play as the Vikings drew to within 28-26. But Jackson, Ellis & Tristan Marshall all made key shots for St. Ignatius in the late stages of the third as the Wildcats held a 34-28 lead after 3 quarters of play.
Early in the fourth St. Ignatius finally extended the lead to double digits as Buckner hit a jump shot & Marshall dunked to make it 38-28. But the Vikings refused to go away as Collins & Bille quickly cut the lead in half from 10 to 5 with 4 minutes left. But Friery, Jackson & Jack Zapolnik hit some key shots in the closing minutes for the Wildcats as they escaped with a hard fought win.
The St. Ignatius Wildcats improved to 8-5 & have little time to celebrate this victory. The Wildcats are back in action Sunday Night as they take on Huntington Prep from West Virginia in the Flyin’ to the Hoop event which is being held at Trent Arena in Kettering Sunday Night.
The North Canton Hoover Vikings are 6-6 & travel to the west side of Youngstown to play Chaney on Tuesday Night. Mason Bille scored 12 points while Wesley Collins added 11 for the Vikings.
