BEREA, Ohio — A pair of Division I college commits are back to lead defending OHSAA Division I state boys basketball champion St. Ignatius.
Question is, how will the Wildcats look beyond senior guard Quinn Woidke (Kent State commit) and 6-foot-10 forward Damon Friery (Dayton)?
They are figuring that out in November, as coach Cam Joyce works in more minutes for returning guard Kali Johnson with a slew of first-year varsity contributors.
“Outside of those three, it’s a new group,” Joyce said. “A very talented group, but the after effects of the state championship is they’re going to be dealing with a lot of guys who don’t have experience.”
Woidke’s college recruitment took off last year around this time after he returned from a shoulder injury, while Friery size and shooting make him a prospect with a high ceiling to match his frame. The Wildcats’ 66-56 victory in March against Centerville marked their first state crown in 23 years. Joyce, who needs just four wins to reach 100 for his career, is looking to be the first repeat champion in Division I since Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller did it in 2018 and ‘19.
Check out the Wildcats from their four-team scrimmage Thursday at Berea-Midpark on the cleveland.com preseason boys basketball tour with the video above. Below is a quick snapshot of the team:
St. Ignatius Wildcats
2023-24 finish: 26-3, Division I state champion
Coach: Cam Joyce (sixth season)
Returning starters: Quinn Woidke (6-1, sr., G), Damon Friery (6-10, sr., F)
In the rotation: Kali Johnson (6-2, sr., G), Jimmy Thomas (6-1, sr., G), Pearce Gibbs (6-2, sr., G), Kyle Niehaus (6-4, sr., G/F), Conor Mangan (6-6, sr., F), Alex Mack (6-3, jr., G/F), R.J. Jones (6-5, jr., F), Sami Dari (6-2, so., G), Steph Bohanon (5-11, so., G)
2024-25 alignment: Division I, independent
Schedule
Nov. 30 at Warresnville Heights, Dec. 7 vs. Westerville North, Dec. 10 at Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Dec. 13 vs. TBD at Gonzaga DC Classic, Dec. 14 vs. TBD at Gonzaga DC Classic, Dec. 15 vs. TBD at Gonzaga DC Classic, Dec. 21 vs. Akron Garfield, Dec. 22 vs. Reynoldsburg at Capital University, Dec. 29 at Canton McKinley, Dec. 31 vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary
Jan. 3 at St. Edward, Jan. 5 vs. Olentangy Orange at Tri-C, Jan. 11 vs. Buchtel, Jan. 16 vs. Centerville, Jan. 19 vs. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller at Flyin’ to the Hoop, Jan. 22 at Lutheran East, Jan. 24 at Walsh Jesuit, Jan. 31 vs. Lutheran West
Feb. 4 vs. Richmond Heights, Feb. 7 vs. St. Edward, Feb. 14 at Louisville, Feb. 21 at Avon
In case you missed it
⦁ The OHSAA has expanded to seven divisions: What’s changed?
⦁ Early preseason state rankings for all seven divisions
⦁ Ohio State commit Dorian Jones closing in on next level before last ride at Richmond Heights
⦁ OSU commit Marcus Johnson isn’t stopping after Nike Elite 100 camp
⦁ T.J. Crumble taking on new role in familiar setting at Lutheran East
⦁ Is freshman Dylan Zeigler just heating up?
⦁ Cornerstone Christian’s Quinn ‘Turtle’ Kwasniak zeroing in on more OHSAA records
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on X (@mgoul), Threads (@mgoul) or email ([email protected]).