Hampton grad Ionadi making most of opportunity at Case Western

Antonio Ionadi found early success last year for the Case Western Reserve basketball team. This year, he is hoping another solid winter extends through the spring.

In early December, Ionadi was thrust into a starting role and made the most of it, averaging 32 minutes in his first two starts, scoring 21.5 points on 52 percent shooting, including a scorching 55 percent from beyond the arc, with 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

It was enough to earn him University Athletic Association Player of the Week honors for the first week of December.

“I think as a sophomore I’m just feeling a little more comfortable,” said Ionadi, who finished a standout career at Hampton with the school record in 3-point shots (239), along with finishing second in total points (1,538).

“I’m not as nervous before the games. Last year, middle of the year, I injured my pinky on my shooting hand. After Christmas, my shot was pretty inconsistent. It just felt good to get that healed up.”

His development has shown coach Todd McGuinness he can trust Ionadi with more responsibility. Entering the new year, he leads the team with 28.1 minutes per game and in 3-point shooting (44 percent).

“I think the biggest thing this year compared to last year is he’s healthier,” McGuinness said. “Last year, he was having a good season at the beginning of the year. He missed a week of practice. ... He couldn’t get back into great shape.”

Able to play either guard position, Ionadi prefers shooting guard. He hes been given more of a chance in that role this year.

“When he’s healthy, he’s really good,” McGuinness said. “He hasn’t had to play point guard as much this year, which benefits him. I think last year we were asking him to handle the ball a lot more as a primary facilitator. Instead of bringing it down and worrying about what’s going on, other guys are finding him. He can get open and make it.”

Ionadi is happy to take whatever role is given to him as long as he is earning more playing time. The Spartans entered 2019 at 7-3. They are made up of all underclassmen, creating a good dynamic where not one individual dominates the stat lines.

“You know everyone, and you feel more comfortable,” said Ionadi, an accounting major. “We’re all sophomores and juniors, so there’s this feeling like, OK, we played together before.”

Added McGuinness: “I think it’s a unique group. There’s no jealousy of who scores. If you look at our box scores, one guy might have 25, and the next night he might have two and someone else has 25. We just have multiple guys that can score.”

Ionadi should be one of them for the next two-and-a-half seasons.

In the summertime, he returns to his hometown and trains with Deer Lakes coach Terrance Parham.

“I’ve worked with Terrance since middle school,” he said. “He’s a great guy and has helped my game out tremendously.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.