Moeller High School 2007-08 Baseball Articles

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\ " Division Idistrict baseball final: St. Xavier 6, Turpin 2

Victory earns Bombers· third strike at Moeller. l I

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By Jeff Wallner

Enquirer contributor

Not until the final out was recorded in Saturday's district final victory over Turpin did St. Xavier begin to ponder its next opponent.

Once the district championship was ·secured, however, the smiles on the Bombers' faces said it all.

For the second consecutive season, St. Xwill meet Greater Catholic League rival Moeller in the regional semifinals.

"We have to come with our best stUff against Moeller," said Bombers left-bander Rich Oilier. "Ifs big. If we're on our game, I think we'll be fine. Ifd be great to finally beat them after the two losses.

They put it to us this season."

On Saturday morning at Midland Field, Oilier improved to 6-0, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and· six strikeouts in five

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innings as St. X defeated Turpin ban ski said. 'They ·hit some 6-2. ground balls that we didn't make Third baseman Billy Rumpke the play on. St. X played good went 2-for-4, and Michael Basil enough defense to beat us. Our ef-. contributed a two-run triple to the fort was there. I'm real proud of wall in right-cent~r field to help · our team." spark a five-run second inning.

Shortstop Nate Fudala went 3Tyler Hollstegge pitched two for-4 with a run scored, and John innings in relief of Oilier, allowing Kelly added a two-run bases-loadjust one hit and striking out three. ed single to drive home the Spar"I didn't have my best stuff to- tans' only runs off Oilier. day at all," said Oilier. "My The Bombers (21-6) move on to .changeupwas decent, but my fast- face Moeller (22-6) in the regional ball was slow. I had to work with semifinals at 5 p.m. Thursday at what I had.· But we got it done. the University of Cincinnati's When you're pitching with a lead, Marge Schott Stadium. you have so much more con:fi'They are traditional winners," dence." . said St. X head coach Bill Slinger Spartans left-bander Ryan Mar- of Moeller. 'They have excellent tin, who allowed just two .earned ·pitching depth. There are a lot of runs, suffered his first loss. tough outs in their linetip. Ifs goTurpin committed six errors, ing to be a battle." · th esecond'mnmg. · St. Xan dM oe11erme ttwice durthreem "We hit the ball every bit as ing the regular season, with the hard as they did," coach.Rob Lu- Crusaders winning both games.

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The Bombers defeated Moeller in last year's regional semifinals.

"We're excited to get a third chance against them," said Basil.

"We've just got to play better than · we have against them previously. I · ; thinkwe'reabetterteamnowthan we were when we played them before."

Following their district final victory over Springboro on Friday, Moeller's players anticipated arematch with the Bombers.

"Anytime you face a GCL South team in the tournament, ifs al- , ways a big deal," Crusaders pitcher Greg Williams said. "We know ifs going to be a battle. If they're on that day, they can be a great team. Ifs a big game."

Turpi•------ 000 020 SLXavier---·-'-· oso 001

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WP-OIIier(6-0),lP-Martin(7·1).Leaders:TFudala3-4, R:Seiben2-4;Kellyt-3,2RBI.X-Rumpke2-4,R;Basir.

1-1. 3B, 2 RBI, R, sB; Berning 1-2, RBI, R, SB; Lewis t-2, RBI, R, sB. Records: r- 22-7, x- 21·6.

The. Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller's Pat Curtin singles to center field in the first inning Thur~day against St. Xavier in the Division I regional semifinal~. The Crusaders rolled to a 9-5 victory.

Moeller: Holds off St. X /

From Page C1

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Pat Curtin got th~ fina'rout, as he .'stranded two St. X I'll111iers. • .

The Crusaders (24"6}. will face Lakota East (1&-11) in the regional final at 2 p.m. today at UC The winner goes to the state tournament .Jiext~week, with' Moeller seeking its' first state appearance since whining the 2004 title. :, . Moeller took a 6-0 l~ad with a six-run third inning against St. X ace Richie Ollier (6-1), as the Crusaders were led py two-run singles from Brent Suter and Brent Cisper. Cisper had three hits and three RBI ovefall ..

The Crusaders had 13 hits and held on as St. Xavier had 13 hits of itsown. ' · .

Moeller coach Tun Held said team is finding its stride again at tournament time. . · "St.. X is the' best.hitting team "We've faced, and I didnJthink this

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"St. X is the best hitting team we've faced, and I didn't think this game would ever end. " __

MoeHer coach Tn Held

S-'3o-b8 game would ever end," Held said.

"Our kids are just really playing with confidence right now."

Moeller swept its two Greater Catholic League South regularseason meetings with St. Xavier, 6-4 and.12-7.

"I don't think they had better hitting than us, but they had more pitching deptll," St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. "I really compliment our kids on n'ever saying die, but (Williams) is one of the best the GCL has to offer."

Williams, signed with Marshall

forllext season, is also considered a prospect for the Major League Baseball draft June 5-6. Williams struck opt six Thursday.

"I thought he threw the ball as well as he has all Y,ear," Moeller senior catcher J.R Reynolds said.

'They're just a good hitting team, but Greg had enough to get the job done."

Reynolds also had two hits and two RBI. Moeller waS the preseason No.1 team in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and St. X was ranked No. 4. At the close of the regular season, Moeller and St. X were ranked Nos. 3-4, respectively, in the poll behind Lakota West (still alive in the tournament) and Elder (eliminated). · St. Xavier-- 000 Moe!~-- 006

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WP- Williams (6·2, 6 K's). LP- 0111er (6·1). Leaders: Basil 2'3; Lamping 2B; Rother 3·4, 2B, 2 RBI; Hollstegge 34,2 RBI; Anley RBI; M- Reynolds 2·4, 2 RBI; Sunderman 2-2; Suter 24, 3B, 2 RBI; Clsper 34, 2B, 3 RBI; Morrison 2·3, RBI; Rieman RBI. Records: SX 21·B, M 24·6.

West gets~ coach a. :homecoming· I

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By Frank DiRenna Enquirer contributor

DUBLIN- When the l..akolta West baseball teiun opposes Gahanna Lincoln today in a Division I regional final game, Firebirds coach Bill Dreisbach probably will look acrpss the field and see some fainiliar faces.

Dreisbach is a 1988 gradua1e of Gahanna but vows once the game begins, it will be business as usual. : .. West took cate of· ousiness ! . Thursday as it cruised to a 13:-2, five-inning win against Newark in a regional semifinal at Dublin Coffman High School.

Gahanna reached the regional final after holding. off Hilliard Darby 9-8 in the first semifinal Thursday. , · West and Gahanna met Apri119, with the Firebiids cruismgto·anll~wininthefirstgame

of a· doubleheader. West was comfQrtably in front in the second game, but the .contest was canceled due to. inclement weather. · "It's going to be fun;" Dreisbach said of facing Gahamia.

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Division Ibaseball "We've played each other every YE!ar for the past 10 years. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Gahanna. It's where I'm from, born and raised. Coach (Mike).

Shade was my coach in high .school. It's goiiig to be a good time, but don't confuse where l grew up with my desire to win."

Against Newark, West broke · open a close game, scoring six runs in the third inning to build a 7-llead. The Firebirds sealed the win with five runs in the fifth.

West batted around in both uprisings.

Southpaw Nathan Smith was the beneficiary of the onslaught as he went the distance in the abbreviated game. He allowed four . hits, struck out one and walked one. Smith retired the final eight batters he faced.

"I don't think Nathan had his beststufftoday, butthemarkofa good pitcher is when you don't have your best stuff you still find a way to get it done, and he did that to~ay," Dreisbach said.

West took control in the third.

The Firebirds sent 10 batters to the plate, using RBI singles from Bryan Beaver, Craig Gauden and Jacob May and doubles from Rob Shaw and Jimmy Brenneman against losing pitcher Michael Boichan.

"When we kind of broke it open a little bit, it certainly gave us the upper hand, but Newark battled and hats off to them," Dreisbach said.

'They've been playing very gbod\ baseball and I just feel fortunate that we're moving on."

West added a run in the fourth and five in the fifth.

"I like the way we swung the bats today," Dreisbach said.

Shaw said the team looked forward to trying for a second consecutive state title.

"Our first goal was to win· GMCs and we did that, and then it was to win the city for the first time, and we did tha~," Shaw said. "... Ournextgoalisregional,and then we go on to state."

Lakota West-·---· 106 15 -13 13 4

Newarl<---·---- 101 00 -2

WP: Smith (10-0, 4 hits). LP: Bolchan (7·2). Leaders: LW • Beaver 2 !Bs, 2B, 2 RBI; Shaw 2B, IB, 3 runs; Brenneman 2B, IB; N ·Nutter 2B, IB, RBI; Keck 2B, RBI. Records: LW 25·1, N 16·14.

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Moeller edges ·Elder 3-1. · By Mark Schmelzer Enqui~er contributor

First-year Moeller baseball _ coach Tun Held admits his Cru-,.saders might have lost a game ~.,such as Wednesday's with Elder , ·.earlier in the season. · In fact, they did. Elder rolled to •an 8-0 win over Moeller on April6 , at the University of Cincinnati. ~ The Crusaders proved , -Wednesday how far they've come .• since that ·loss, in which they... , -were held hitless until two outs in .• the last inning; In the rematch, Moeller 'capitalized· on its few , scoring opportunities and limited )the Panthers to an unearne·d, last,~inning run in a 3-1 Greater Catho. ·lie League South Division win at ~-the Btue Ash Sports Center's _,Crosley Field. . , : "We were very young," -Held ~ sa!d of the first game. "We knew. ,.. early in the year that our hitting ' ._,would be open to question."

Senior left fielder Ross Oltorik ' had three hits and left-banders Brent Suter· and Ian Hundley . combined on the' near-shutout as ,:Moeller (18-5, 11·2),- the No. 3 ·learn in the Enquirer Division I ·coaches' poll and the fourth-rank:ed team in the Associated Press -.Division I state coaches' poll, leapfrogged over Elder (15-3, 9-2) • ·into -first place in the GCL SOuth. n The teams conclude league ; ,play Friday. Mpeller is scheduled · . to play at La Salle, while Elder _.t;anked second· in the Enquirer .poll and sixth in the state- travels . to St. Xavier to finish an April 7 .:game that was called due to darkness with the score 1-1 before _playing their regularly scheduled ..game. . ·, · Wednesday, senior Elderright:hander Mike Nastold pitched a complete game, but saw the Cru..saders capitalize on one mental . mistake and a physical error for two runs in the third inning.

- "Elder's a good teain," Oltorik -.,said. 'They usually don't have . those kinds of things happen to -..them." , Elder coach Mark Thompson . talked to his team and left the · ·:ballpark without comment. ·:'Moeller ..................... 000 000 I -I 8 I x -3 8 2 · .Eide\......................... 002 100 . WP - Suter (2-0); lP - Nastold (3-1). Leaders: E · Groene 3-4, 28; Emst 2-3, Wood 2-3, 28. M- Reynolds 2-4, 3·3, 28; Oltonk 3-3, 28. Recor!ls: E 15-3 (9-2 Greater Catholic League South Division); M.18-5 (11-2 GCL South).

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March 26, 2008

Loveland Herald

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,New head coach ready to t~ke Moeller baseball to the ne~t' level

By Mark Chalifoux · While it is undoubtedly difrilchalifoux@communitypress.com ficult to follow a coach like Cameron, Bonnan said he was For the first season in 40 "totally confident" in Held and )rears, the Moeller baseball said he's_ taken complete ownteam will take the field with a ership of the program. · new coach.

A varsity assistant coach Longtime coach Mike for six years under Cameron, Cameron retired after last sea- Held said kee'ping Moeller's son and one of his assistants, tradition alive is. important to Tim Held, was tabbed to him replace him.

"Just seeing all the names "Mike was one of the in record books of great playfounding figures of our. ers that have been ·here, they school," said Moeller athletic are going to wonder if I can director Barry Bonnan. keep the Moeller baseball tra"He was just a legacy of his dition alive and· continue to own, he was very speciaL grow it," Held said.

Mike brought tradition and Growing the program is one stability and a consistency of Held's goals as he tries to year after year." · model the baseball program off

of the successful basketball ·dent, said he ·learned a lot from program at Moeller. his time coaching with "I want to take it to a Cameron; especially when it national level where people are comes to practice organization talking ~bout it and I want us and how to treat the players. to get to the point where we Held, 35, said it's his goal can be ranked top 10 national- to be with the Moeller program ly," Held said. for a long time, but that he Cameron feels confident might not make it to 40 y,ears that Held can take the program like Cameron. to the next level. He said Held "My joke is that in Catholic "knows the job inside and out" · education I can never retire, so and that he had the ability to I might still be here," Held bring out the best of the play- laughed. ers.

"I hope I'm bouncing "I think he's ready for the· around after 30 years the way job and I think he's going to he was after 40." build on the tradition and legacy we have here," Cameron said.

Held, a Montgomery resi-

MARK CHAUFOUX/STAFF

Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said. . MARK CHAUFOUX/STAFF he's already heard good things about Tim Held from ·other coaches, parents and Moeller head coach Tim Held is taking over the program from longtime coach Mike cameron. _. ·• players.

· MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF j

Tim Held said former coach Mike Ganieron was a"tremendous" influence on him.

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Moeller mighty·

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1st season

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New c,o'ach making a winning debut

By Mark Schmetzer Enquirer col1tributor

· In at least one 'vay, Tim Held reminds some people of Sparky An. derson.

"Sparky Who," as Anderson was

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Held, in his first season as Moeller's baseball coach, has guided t&e

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um in. Columbus. . The first-year Cru~aders coach, who spent 11 seasons as an assistant.under Mike Cameron, chuckles at the comparison. · "I don't know about 'that,"· he said.

'Tim's done an unbelievable job," said Cameron, who retired last year after a 39-year career. He said he's seenlO orll of Moeller's games, including all of the Crusaders' tournament games. . 'They :find a way to win,'.' Camer· domg · · the Ji'ttle on· sru'd . "I· t 's JUSt thmgs. They're very aggressive on the bases, and they take advantage ofwhatever opponents give them. If . the other team makes an error, they capitalize on it."

SinceAnderson'sfirstRedsteam went on to lose the 1970 World Selies to Baltimore, Held probably would prefer a compruison to Lou Piniella, who had a couple of years of managerial experience under his belt before guiding the Reds to the 1990 World ~eries championship in his .first season iti Cincinnati.

TheMoeller·St. Ignatius winner is scheduled to face the winner of Thursday's 7 p.m. gan1e between defending state champion Lakota West (26-1), which is ranked No .. l in Division I in both the Enquirer area coaches' poll and the state poll, 'and Lakewood St. Edward (23-tl-1)

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. The·Enquirerf'Cara Owsley

s.~nlor center fielder Jimmy Brenneman· is one of only three returnees from West;s starting eight

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, last season;. He's patting .456.with a team-high48 runs and has a 1.000 fieldi.ng p,ercentage. 1!

Reloadedr·· West neali · · r peat o state tttlef ·

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· ing. average in center field aAd made a spectacular diving catCh Lakota Westistryingtobecome the thatsnuffedaGahannallncolnrhlfirst Clncinnati-'area school torelyinthesixthinningintheregioqal peat as an Ohio baseball state :final. Brenneman slammed iJito

By Tom Groeschen champion since Elder won three the wall after making the catch:' tgroeschen@enquirer.com straight titles from 1958-60. Local '"He just produces like crazy," state baseball title repeaters: · Dreisbach said. "That catch he Lakota West this weekend made the other day, that will for.iovcotilddosomethingthatnoCincin- . 11 Elderl955 "56 • Class A* erbeknownatl.akotaWestasThe nati-area high school baseball 11. Elder 1958-60, Class AA * · Catch. If he doesn't catchi~ atleast team has accomplished in nearly 'From 1928-56, Class Awas the big'school two runs score and we're down.1350 years. . class. From 1957-70, Class AA was the 11 going into the seventh."

The Fireb'rrds, rated No. 1:Ona- the big-school class. From 1971-90, Class AAA was Brenneman sru'd it's all part of big-school class. Since 1991, Division 1 has tionally by USA Today, stand two beenthe big·school division.' · the job. ' games from their second consec-. NOTE: Elder{1955,56, 58'60) and ''We just want to win," Brerineutive Ohio Division I state baseball canton GlenOak (95-96) are the man said. "We always seem to :find championshijJ.TI1elastCincinnafi. only sdllools to repeat as biga way. This team has such corrfi. area school to win' at leasttwo con- school state baseball champions. dence now, we expect to will every · secutive state baseball titles was game."

Elder, which won three straight Othe~ team leaders include from 1958-60. aridjunior Nathan.Smith (11-0, 2.15 Beaver, who tops the club in bat"Our goal at the beginning of ERA). Beaver pitched West's 4-0 ling (.484) .and RBI (37); and Gauthe season was to make soine his- · state championship victory over den, hitting .432 with 26 RBI. tory, and we're almost there," said Mentor last. year, and Smith has . Gauden also servesas the pitchCraig Gauden, ·a Lakota West se- emerged as teainace this season. ing closer and has a-3-0 record, nior third baseman/pitcher. ''We West coach Bill Dreisbach lost eight saves.and a 3.00 ERA. Senior believe the pressure is on the other some big stars from '07, including Tyler Vaske has become theN o. 2 teams, not us." all-~tate shortstop Brad Gschwind startingpitcherbehindSmith,with Lakota West (26-1), ranked· and ace pitcher Collin Taylor. But a 5-0 record and 2.84 ERA No. 1in the state coaches' poll, will he said this year's team carrjed the Several newcomers to the Fireface unranked Lakewood St. Ed- momentum from last season. birds' lineup also have produced ward (23-6-1) in the state semifinals ''With the core guys that tame consistently, including Rob ,Shaw Thursday at7 p.m. at CooperStadi- back and the JV guys that have (.430 batting average); Jaco~ May um in Columbus. The winner ad- stepped up and had big ~ars, (.370), Nick Murtland (.339) ru1d vances to Saturday's 1p.m. state:fi- we've had great results," Dreis~ Ricky Finley (.338). ~~ -iil Uiit'state'champioriship~game"' ~ naLagainst·th~ other semifinal bach-said~~ - ·. - ~ --c:- ~ .-~ ·- ThemostreeentOhioschool to at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cooper Stadiwinner;· No~ 7-ranked Moeller Westis 36-1 dating to May2007, repeat as the big-schoOl chaJnpion urn.

(25-6) or No. 2-ranked Cleveland losingtoonlyColerainthisseason. was Canton GlenOak in 1995-96.

Moeller (25-6), which finished St. Ignatius (27-5).

The Firebirds have mounted se,.. Ohio's most recent baseball reNo.3 in the EnquiretpollandNo. 7 . Lakota West returned only era! late rallies to win games, in- peater at any level is Newark Cathin the state poll, takes a seven-game .three regulars from last year's eluding a five-run seventh inning olic in Division N from 2002-04. winning streak into the game starting eight Gaud en, senior cen- to beat Gahanna lincoln 16-11 in a "It would be quite an honor. to against ~t. Ignatius (27-5), the ter :fielder Jimmy Brenneman and regional final last weekend. repea~ but we're really not looking state's second-ranked team. . juniorinfielder/pitcher BryanBeaThe catalyst often is Brenne- past the St. Edwlll"d game;" Dreis"We've been getting good pitch· ver.But West's team batting aver- man, the leadoff hitter. bach said. "I am extremely proud ing;which we knew we would all agehasgoneup33pointsfromlast Bre1meman is second on the ofthisteamforgettingbacktothe year, and our hitters have stepped season- from .337 to .370. team in hitting (.456) ru1d leads the state tournament They haVe han-. up," Held said. "As I've been .telling West's returning pitchers ·in- club in runs (4$), home runs (six) · died the target on their backs very people all year, we had to replace all elude junior Beaver (4-1 this year) and steals (29). He has al.OOOfield- well this year." eight position players, and everY game we play, our hjtters are getting more experience." .' · .Cameron, who didn't reach the . ' state semifinals for the Jirst time un, til his 'fourth season as Moeller's . coach, sees many resemblances betw~n this year's team and his 1972 terun that won the first of Moeller's four state baseball championships.

"I even told the kids· that this year," Cameron said. "Our '07 team :finished No. 1iii the state and went 27-4. We had a great year. Legitimately, we had agreat shotat winning state. We had a senior-dorrii-. nated team. A lot of juniors didn't get to play. a whole lot, except for some pitch~rs. · . 'The'71teamwasthesameway.

That team had a lot of juniors who didn't get a chance to play. That '1'2 team kind dfhad a chip on its shoulder. They got no respect. TI1ey · were picked to :finish last in the league. 1 didn't even know .how good they'd be, and we ended'up winning the school's first state championship."

Senior left-hander · Greg Wil- · Iiams (6-2) will start Thursday for Moeller, Held said. He is one of 15 seniors on the Crusaders'. roster looking at their last chance at a winning a state title. . ''We're really ~xcited aboutthis chru1ce in front of us, but we're ·humbled at the same time at the experience coming up," senior pitcher /outfielder Ross Oltorik said. ''We know we have to stick together. We know this is a once-in-a-life.. time experience."

Division a· state baseball tournament At Cooper Stadium, Columbus Thursday's S!lmlflrials • Moeller (25'6} v:s. Cleveland: st. Ignatius (27-5), 4 p.m. · .

Lakewood St. Edward (23-6,1) >is.

Lakota West (26-1), 7 p.m ..

Saturday's championship

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Semifinal winners, 1 p.m;

·Baseball feat rare for local teams

Repeat winners

ARS :OF THE YEAR tota West

SElECTED BY ENQUIRER REPORTER TOM GROESCHEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AREA COACHES

Trevor lothrop, Sycamore- .· The senior was All-Greater Miami Conference; He led the GMC in hitting (.533) and doubles (12) and tied for the home run lead (eight); He also had 31 RBI.

1te semifin·anst, 17 state title team s D-1 state coach of the year.

John Ren~, Milford

sil, St. Xavier·

James Pierson, Western Hills

r was second team all-state and Allholic League South. He hit .473 with 25 RBI and 14 steals. He was 2-0 as a pitcher.

The senior was Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference player of the year. He batted · .525 with two homers, 37 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

utin, Turpin

J.J. Ems, Western Brown

or was named ffrst team all-state and 1t Valley Conference Cardinal player of was 7-1 with an 0.94 ERA (91 K's gs). He also hit .361 with 28 RBI.

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~alter, La Salle or was All-Greater Catholic League was 5-1 with a 0.91 ERA, with 36 n 46 innings. His WHIP (walks/hits/ ~hed) was 0.98.

neman, Elder ior was All-Greater Catholic League batted .402 and led Elder in runs :33) and stolen bases (17), with a 3Se percentage.

1pking, Mason or was All-Greater Miami Conference.

3with six home runs, 28 RBI and n bases .. AS a pitcher, he was 2-0. ·

lenn, Colerain ior was All-Greater Miami Conference.

2-3 record, he was regarded as one of top pitchers (2.41 ERA, 48 K's in 32

~e,

Colerain

or was named All-Greater Miami Con-· ~was 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA C)nd batted two home runs and 17 RBI.

~CH in

OF THE YEAR

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) the Division Ill state ond state championn four.years. Badin ns II-IV coaches' poll ral champion.

The seriior was Fort Ancie~t Valley Confer-· ence Buckeye player of the year. He batted .424 and led Milford in home runs (four), RBI (28) and steals (17). · ·

The senior was· Southern Buckeye Confer~ ·_encej American player of the year. He batted .485 with seven doubles, two home runs and 28RBI.

Matt Marksberry, Glen Este The junior was All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye. He was 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA, with 56 strikeouts in 46% innings.

Matt Ma~loy, Oak Hills The junior was AU-Greater Miami Conference. He tied for the GMC home run lead (eight) and was fifth in RBI (32), while hitting .346. He. also stole six bases.

Marcus Davis, Princeton The sophomore was All-Greater Miami Conference. He leq Princeton in hitting (.417), runs (35), hits·(40), doubles (10) and tied for the stolen base lead (13).

DIV. I HONORABLE MENTION

Amelia: Spencer Cox, Garrett H~unshell, Brandon Dietrich, Zach Zieman; Anderson: .Josh Jeffery, Daniel Rod, Ethan Amold, Austin Rexrqat; Colerain: Nick Priessman, Chns Hundley, Andrew McPheter.;; Edge.wood: Josh Crout. Justin Elder. Kile Sigmon, Cole Ewen, Seth Martin; Elder: Drew Ernst. Zac Asman. Nick Gramke, Johnny Groene, Mike Nastold, Mitchell Reilly; Glen Este: Randy Jones, Tyler Snoke, Brandon Fuller, Andrew Keller; Hamilton: Austin LeMaster, Andrew Ruecking; Harrison: Marcus Kuykendall, Colton Gibson, Tyler Lane; Hughes: BJ. Lowery; Kings: Cramer DeU1y, John Shumar, Josh W1ttes, Mike Cantrell, Zac Murphy; Lakota East: Brad Blyberg, Evin Dusold, Jeff Nilsen; Lakota West: Craig Gauden, Rob Shaw, Ricky Rnley; la Salle: Terrell Jones, Elliot Hebeler, Josh Hugentobler, Blake Lehmann, Jake Meister, Reid Rizzo; Lebanon: Josh.AIIen, Cameron Colbert.

Bo Gray, Bert Wray; Loveland: Adam Engel, Lucas Keller.Biehl, Josh Lay, Brian Smith; Mason: Destul Huff, Grant Lewis, Josh Stolz; Milford: Kyle Amos, Robby Nesteroff, Ryan Troehler, Jesse Johnson, Matt Olson; Moeller: Brent Suter, J.R. Reynolds, Robby Sunderman; Mount Healthy: Tony Weber, Sam Clements, Andrew Nichols; Northwest: Mitch Morgan, Cory Cook, Brad Dearinger; Oak Hills: Joel Bender, Kyle Bluestein; Jake Procto~ Princeton: Dorian West, Spencer Ware, Randy Weinel, BJ. Willis; St. Xavier. Tim lssler, Craig Rother. Bil~ Rumpke, Pat Berning, Jordan Rnley; Tala wanda: Josh Hogg, John Lynch, Todd Weiser, Noah Zipko; Turpin: Nate Fudala, Robbie Lubanski, Pat Polaneczky, Charlie Seibert; Walnut Hills: Anthony Howard, John Custer, Cameron Sloan; Western Brown: Dalton Carson, Enc Jamison; Western Hills: Jordan Walker, Zach NoJman; Winton Woods: Antoine Sawyer, Bnan Tolliver; Withrow: Marcus Watson

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Cameron Malone; Madeira The junior was Ail-Cincinnati Hi.lls League. He batted .485 with five doubles, five homers and 29 RBI and had a .557 on-base percentage.

Garrett Edwards, Reading The junior was Division IV second team all-state. He batted .378 with eight doubles, thr~e homers, 37 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

;sa, McNicholas

Corey Woodward, Reading

Jr wa~ All-Greater Catholic League batted .424'with seven doubles, a 26 RBI and a .477on-base per-

The junior was Division IV honorable mention all-state and CHL co-player of the year. He was 6-0 with a 1.17 ERA (69 K's, -48 IP). He also hit .435 with three homers. '

der Horst, Seven Hills

Division IV first team all-state mi Valley Conference Scarlet He hit NO homers, 21 RBI. and 28 stolen

~ The junior was Southern Buckeye Conference National player of the year. He hit .436 wth seven doubles, 24 RB_l and 11 stolen bases.

nbert, CHCA

Kris Hecktor, Batavia

1r was Division Ill second team all~iami Valley Conference Scarlet 1e year.·He was 6-0 with a 1.52 ;o hit .470. ·

The jurrior was All-Southern Buckeye 'Conference National. He hit .464 with nine doubles, three triples and 22 RBI. He also was 3-1 with a 2.4 7 ERA.

rowne, CHCA

Thomas Gibson, Goshen

1r was All-Miami Valley Conference hit .462 with three homers and 34 itcher he was 2c1 with a 2.10 ERA,

The sophomore was All-Southern Buckeye Cpnference American. He hit 556 with 13doubles; two triples, a homer and 26 RBI. He also was 2-1 as a pitcher.

1

If was

J.D. little, Batavia

1phier, C_in. Christian 1r was Division IV second team aiiAiami Valley Conference Gray player . He hit .500 with two homers, 38 . stolen bases.

aird, Mariemont or was Cincinnati Hills league co1e year. He batted .469 with fourtri~1 and eight steals. He also was 2-0 39 ERA.

~rkamp, Mariemont . )f was All-Cincinnati Hills league. He 9 and led the area with six triples.

RBI, 11stolen bases and a.528 ~rcentage. -

Aiken: Alex Willlams;·Badln: Nate Hubbard, Nate Jackson, Tony Cassano, Josh Gonya, E.ic Garbus, Garrett Seger, Scott Staannann: Batavia: Ryan Beard, Matt Beltman, Ryan Anstaett; Bethel Tate: Austin Newman; Blanchester: Donald Rhinehimer, AJ. Wiley; Cincinnati Chrls:.ttan: 'Bnan Kirschbaum, Chris Gartner, Steve Perry, Matt.Fieenor; Cincinnati Country Day: Alex Dfetz, Max Dietz, Tony North. Dustin Armstrong;·CHCA: David Myers, Kevin Relds, Matt Williams; C!ork Montessori: Will Simpson, Luke Howell, Bryan Berry, Jesse CoiWn; Clermont Northeastern:: Zach Hall, Graham Nash; Deer Park:,Ethan Carey; Jon Siefert; East Clinton: Dirk Eckle; Fayetteville: U Barnett; Fenwick: Jeff Benhase, Craig Geribeaux, Derek Graham, Tyler Zaintel; F1nneyt01vn: Dante Powell, Jimmy Sammons, Chris Brown, Allen Viox; Goshen: Kyle Daultom; Indian Hill: Brtan Bascom, Danny Gill, Ryan .Murphy; Little Miami: Ryan Christophel, Kyle Cli:ook, Clay Cleaver, Mil<e Secnnst; Lo,okland: Taylor Ell'rs, Joey Peak, Tyler Perkins, Cons Rnley; • Madeira: Nate Miller, Mike Tincher, Kyle Voisard; Mariemont: Swan Simons, Riley Flicknem Billy Masur, Bo Zimmerman; McNicholas: Brandon fleffeman, Steve Rice, Paul Uhl, Matt Davidsson, ..Craig Hyson, Andy Jostworth, Jake Powers; Middletown Madison: Mike Roe; . · New Miami: Nathan Carberry, Jal<e Davis, Casey Chestnut; New Richmond: Jake Wilsonn, ~ndy P\~e<; North College IIIII: 1\yle Black, Donan Rollins, Brian Johnson, Ryan Moeller, NoJWood: Tyler Roots, Tyler Sickinger. Jeff Tyree; Purcell Marian: Marl< Pitocco, Corly S(lch'= Reading: Tyler Bessey,lyler Hilz, Chris Basler; Ripley: Ryan fultz; Roger Bacon: Ke,in Burt\ihart, Josh Melzer, Josh Ungerbuehlet, ~mlrew frock; Ross: Derek Bischoff, Randy Bulach, Chns, . _ Gaston Travis Gamble Da,id Miller; St. Bernard: Ryan Jones, Scott Bruce; Seven H\lls:K\yle Ne~. J~rdan Burgess, Kenji Tal<ahaShi;Shroder: Christ1an Dicks, Jason Spaulding; Summitt .

Country Day: Henry Meininger, ZaclrBarkalow; Taft: Melvin Stewart, Marcus Thompson; Ta.a1\"" Bryan Ellesberry, Michael Presnell; Williamsburg: Ryan Penny, Shannon Smith, lsa.ac Maraham; Wilmington: Brandon Arehart, Joey Schulte, Spencer Smith; Wyoming: Evan Aleshrre, Doran Drachman, Kendall Kadish, Patrick Lippert, T.C. O'Neal _

AS

Northeast Suburban Life March 26, 2008

NORTHEAST 'SUBURBAN LIFE

ion

New head coach ready .to take Moeller baseball to the next level

By Mark Chalifoux mchalifoux@communitypress.com.

"/want to take (the baseball program) to a national/eve/ where people are talking aboutit and 1 For the first season in 40 years, the Moeller baseball team will take want us o get to the point where we the field with a new coach.

Longtime coach Mike Cameron can be ranked top 10 nationally. t.

II

retired after' last season and one of his assistants, 11m Held, was tabbed to replace him.

"Mike was one of the founding figures of our school," said Moeller athletic director Barry Borman.

"He was just a legacy of his own, he was very special. Mike brought tradition and stability and a consistency year after year."

While it is undoubtedly difficult to follow a coach like Cameron, Borman said he was "totally confident" in

Tim Held

New Moeller baseball coach Held and said he's taken complete . ownership of the program.

A varsitY assistant coach for six years under Cameron, Held said keeping Moeller's tradition alive is important to him.

"Just seeing all the names in record books of great players that have been here, they are going to wonder if I can keep the Moeller

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Moelleriathletic director Barry Borman said he's already heard good things about Tim Held from other coaches, parents and players. ·

baseball tradition alive and continue to grow it," Held said.

Growing the program is one of Held's goals as he tries to model the baseball program off of the successful basketball program at Moeller. · "I want to take it to a national level where people are talking about it and I want us to get to the point where we can be · ranked top 10 nationally," Held said.

Cameron feels confident that Held can take the program to the next level. He said Held "knows the job inside and out" and that he had the · ability to bring out the best of the players.

"I think he's ready for the job and I think he's going to build on the tradition and legacy we have here,"

MARK vnl"oLICLIUN:

Moeller head coach Tim Held is taking over the program from longtime coach Mike Cameron.

Cameron said.

Held, a Montgomery resident, said he learned a lot from his time coaching with Cameron, especially when it comes to ·practice organization and how to treat the players.

Held, 35, said it's his goal to be with the Moeller program for a long time, but that he might not make it to 40 years like Cameron.

"My joke is that in Catholic education I can. never retire, so I might still be here," Held laughed.

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF "I hope I'm bouncing around after Tim Held said former coach Mike Cameron was a 30 years the way he was after 40." "tremendous" influence on him .

..

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sports •

prev1ew:

Moeller baseball/

By Mark Chalifoux mchalifoLtx@communitypress. com

BRIEFLY E.H. Greene student Smith named to gymnastics squad E. H. Greene fifth grader Victoria Smith has been named to the 2008 Trampoline and Tumbling JumpStart. National Team, earning the right to train at the JumpStart National Team Training Camp in Sacramento, Calif.

The squad consists of 30 trampolinists and .29 ~umblers from the United States, · rangmg mages 7 to 12.

Smith, who trains with the Queen City Trampoline & Tumbling Team, has been recognized as being ,at the top of trampoline and tumbling for her age group in the country.

Moeller Baseball Head coach: Tim Held Key players:Greg Williams (Sr. - LHP), Ross Oltorik (Sr. RHP/DHIOF), Brent Suter (Sr. LHP /OF I 1 B), Pat ·Curtin (Sr. LHP/lB), JR Reynolds (Sr. - C), Brett Cisper (Jr. - RHP/SS) What people .can expect from Moeller this season: Great pitching. "We will have a very deep pitching staff," Held said. "We should have a solid offense as well."

Moeller's biggest challenge: Replacing all eight defensive positions from the 2007 season. "We are -filling them with very good players, however, they are lacking varsity experience," Held said.

"We will have a great defense even after having to replace all eight positions.

Big games: Two games each against Elder, St. Xavier and La Salle. The Crusaders also play Louisville St. Xavier and Brentwood Academy (Tem~l.) on April 5 in Louisville. Moeller will play Loveland, Mason and Oak Hills as well.

HE ENQUIRER

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2008

BASEBAL~

C:id

Season opens without· Cameron~ rormer Moeller coach enjoYing life . iway from the diamond after 40 years·

the bat in florida High· school insider 'The newly mowed grass, the· sun, seeing baseball do~ here ... it's really something," Cameron should be smooth since most of · said. "Nancy and I are very humCameron's coaching staff is also ike Cameron retwned grees right now." bled and honored that so many peo- back. my call the other day, Cameron and wife Nancy ple would do this for us.''

"Coach Cams let me have a say from Disney World. are. in the midst of a florida . When he gets home, Cameron in a lot of things, so it's not like we1l Before that, Cameron vacation, paid for by apprecia- said he wlll take in a Moeller game be changmg alot," Held said. · :>ent five glorious days W<ttchtive Moeller baseball alumni, or two. He also hopes to see some The talent Qlise is still strong. Selg Cincinnati Reds spring parents, faculty and friends. former Moeller players at various nior right-handed pitcher/DH Ross T1 Cameron retU:ed as Moel- college games. · · · Oltorik and senior left-bander Greg ~gin Sarasota.

As Cincinnati begins its om ler coach last June, after 39 Cameron and his wife have three Williams give Moeller two strong rst prep baseball season Groeschen · seasons as head coach. His · grown children and six grandchil- pitching arms. Oltorik is headed to ithout Cameron in 40 years; record was 767-303, leaving. dren..

Ohio State on a combined baseball/ )U might agree the former him No. 1 all-time in Ohio "It was time," Cameron said of football agreement, while Williams [oeller coach earned this little trip. Division I coaching wins: his coaching retirement. "Mentally is headed to Marshall. · ·"I've never- been down here " MORE BASEBAll: Reigning Divi. Cameron's teams won Ohio big- · and physically I was drained. I'm ameron saicl. ''We're at the Epcot school state titles in 1972, '89, '93 sure I11 miss it, but at this pointit · sion I state champion Lakota West enter right now." and 2004. He coached eight future was important to sperid more time lost several standouts to graduation, Cameron is 63, but the first time major league players, including Ken · with my family." · · notably shortStop Brad Gschwind .Disney always makes one feel Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and Buddy . BACI( HOME: Cameron's replace-· and No.1 pitcher Collin Taylor. ~younger.

Bell. Cameron visited with Griffey ment, Tun Held, was a Moeller asCoach Bill Dreisbach does re"Have you ever been here?"

Jr. in Sarasota last week. Cameron sistant the past 11 years. · tuin several quality players, led by ameron said. "It's great It's 82 de- reveled in the springtime crack of Held, 35, said the transition CF Jimmy Brenneman and right-

M

bander Brad Beaver. Beaver was on the mound for West's state title game victory last season.

• Elder senior right-hander Mike Nastold, the area's top prospect and a Louisville recruit, is recovering from a broken left leg (ankle area) suffered last fall.

Nastold was playing football on a senior retreat when injured, Elder coach Mark Thompson said. · "He's throwing off the mound now," Thompson said. "He1l be a little bit behind. He proballly won't make his first start until late the first week or the second week of the season." · Nastold as a sophomore was 8-0 with an 0~30 ERA As a junior, he was 7-4 with a 1.20 ERA The past two years, he has 168 strikeouts in

123 innings.

"He's the most .talen~d player I've ever coached," said.Thompson, Elder's coach for 19 years.

• The area's top-rated senior players are Nastold, Oltorik and Princeton outfielder Dorian West· That is according to pgcrosscheck- · er.com, a division of the Perfect· Game USA scouting service.

Perfect Game, headquartered it}' Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is also allied , withESPN. · SPRING DATES: Practice offician; started March 10 for spring sports ~ but most teams have been indoors ~ every day, with ~ce~sive snow an~ rain this month. ·R ''Weve been outside one day," 1~ Moeller's Held said, about 10 da~i: jnto practice. "I don't know if we1l :. get out for our scrimmages. We're still allle to get a lot done indoors}:1: The season starts March 31 for.-c. baseball, softball and boys' tenni~~1 The first track mee~ are permitted.· SatUrday (March 29). :r;

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.c;;,. -~ . l

.~

Moeller • ·se·n1or

makes his mark

By Mark Chalifoux

mchalifoux@communitypress.com KENWOOD - The Moeller baseball team has put together a strong season and senior catcher J.R. Reynolds · has been a big part of it. . · "He's very important," Moeller · head coach Tim Held said. "With the · pitching staff we have, handling those guys and keeping them calm · in big situations and making sure they are on the same page with him when they are attacking each hitter, he's played a major role."

Reynolds father, Terry, is the director of player development for · the Cincinnati Reds, so Reynolds has been around baseball his whole life.

"He's been around the major league parks and knows how guys ~go about their business and he's a· l student of the game," Held said. "He · works very hard at it, he works at his catching and works at his hitting." . · Reynolds said his ultimate goal is to play in those major league parks and to work in baseball management . after his playing days are over. He's : heading to Ohio University next year . to play baseba,ll and study sports management.

1 .• "I love the campus," Reynolds said. "I've been there a couple days 1 and it ·seems like a ,fu-st -class p·ro~ gram. Coach (Joe) Carbone was an old school coach, laid-back, but gets ' the job done." . . t As strong as Reynolds is on the · field, he's also been a strong asset for : the Crusaders in the leadership department. As one of the team captains this season, ReynoldS has done a very good job of knowing when to get the guys in line, Held said.

"It's an important role, you have to come out every day and get down . ..__ '----!---- ___ .l ' - - - __ , _ ___ ..l_., c __ ~

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Moeller senior J.R. Reynoltls has been astrong catcher for the Crusaders.

everyone," Reynolds said. "''m not one of those guys who gets in your face, I'm pretty· laid back. 1 lead by example and try to stick with that."

Reynolds moved to the area before his freshman year of high school from California and said the team camaraderie at Moeller is one of the things he likes most about the program. ._ "We get along pretty well, it's a blast to go up to the cages everyday and just talk with everyone 'and hit with everyone and the coaches and everything," Reynolds said. "We've been together for four years, won the GCL four times, and it's been a lot of fun. I love hanging out with the guys."

In his downtime, Reynolds said he loves fishing, pool and hanging out with friends. He also loves going back to California.

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF "The laid-back atmosphere, the Moeller senior J.R. Reynolds said the tradition and weathe~. the sun; it's not bad out ~~arad_eri_~ are the two things he loves most about

June 4, <2008

LOVELt\ND

Loveland Herald

A11

ERALD

Moeller se-nior makes his mark

By Mark Chalifoux

mchalifoux@communitypress.com KENWOOD - The Moeller baseball team ha.S put together a strong season and senior catcher J.R. Reynolds has been abig part cifit. " .

"He's very important," Moeller head coach Tim Held said. "With the pitching staff we have, handling those guys and keeping them calm in big situations and making sure they are on the same page with hin1 when they are attacking each hitter, he's played a major role."

Reynolds father, Terry, is the director of player development for the Cincinnati Reds, so Reynolds has been around baseball his whole life.

"He's been aroun.d the major league parks and knows how guys go about their business and he's a student of the game," Held said. "He works very hard at it, he works at his catching and works at his hitting."

Reynolds said his ultimate goal is to play in those major league parks and to work in baseball management after his playing days are over. He's heading to Ohio University next year to play baseball and study sports management :'lloveo .th~mpUS,''-·ReYrl0ldssaid. "I've been there a couple days and it seems like a first class program.

Coach (Joe) Carbone was an old school coach, laid-back, but gets· the job done."

As strong as Reynolds is on the field, he's also been a strong asset for the ~rusaders in the leadership department. AB one of th~ team captains this season, Reynolds has done a very good job of knowing when to get the guys in line, Held said.

"It's an important role, you have to come out every day and get clown to business and be a role model for everyone," Reynolds said. "I'm not one of those guys who gets in your face, I'm pretty laid back. I lead by example and try to stick with that."

Reynolds moved to the area before his freshman year of high school from

r

t.

s

By Mark Chalifoux

mchalifoux@communitypress.com

The St. Xavier Bombers have had a strong season and one of their top players has been Loveland resident Andy Lamping. , Lamping, a three-year starter at catcher for the Bombers, was a firstteam All-Greater Catholic League selection and was voted by his teammates as the .

Most Valuable Moeller Player this ·season. "l;1e's been a . ousts MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF ·:Jmportant ~oell!!f-2e,~igr);!L~1Q.91g~~aidjhe~tradi!ion.a[!d.=cJ30 . . camaradene are the two thmgs he loves most about St. Xavier's Jhe baseball program. season came to . baseball coach Bill Slinger said.

California and said the team cama- an end ~ay 29 "He knows the raderie at Moeller is one of the things. In t~e DIVISion I game. well, he's he likes most about the program. · regJonal finals.

"We get along pretty well, it's a• TheBombers got a strong arm, blast to go up to the cages everyday ~~ \00 ~~e~e;1 his hitting has and just talk with everyone and hit 7- ' lnJs - improved and he the with everyone and the coaches and · Moeller then handles very · everything," Reynolds said. "We've defeated Lakota pitchers well. There's a been together for four years, won th.e East 9-6 in the lot of respect GCL four times, and it's been a lot of regina! finals. around the city fun. I love hanging out with the The 24-6 for him." guys."

Crusadrers Lamping said In his downtime, Reynolds said he, advance to the he's not a great loves fishing, pool and hanging out state semifinals natural talent, with friends. He also loves going back at 4 p.m. but that his sucto California.

Thursday, June cess was the "The laid-back atmosphere, the 5, at Cooper product of a little weather, the sun, it's not bad out Stadium in talent and a lot of there," he said. · Columbus.

For complete hard work. He regional also said his coverage, Visit family .had a cincinnati. com. considerable · influence on his baseball career.

"I have two older brothers who played baseball and I was always watching their games and playing in St. Xavier senior catcher Andy Lamping is also aforce at the plate tor the Bombers. the. front yard with them," Lamping , said. "My parents were always there year. to support me and my dad and I . Lamping said playing coll:giate always go up every week and hiLa base~all ;vas always a goal o[his, b~t few times a week." he didn t know how attamable it .

Slinger called Lamping a "work- would be. Earning first-te~m AD:-GCL horse" and praised his outstanding was another goaL Lampmg satd he work ethic and his leadership ability. was honored by the acc_olade, but "Outstanding kid, outstanding that. what. really. matters iS how St. student. We're going to miss him a Xavier fimshes m the tournament. bunch," Slinger said. Lamping will be Regar~less of the ~ombers success, playing Division I college baseball Lampmg leaves behmd a clear model next year for Columbia. for.~~ccess. , "I think it's a great package of I m a hard wo!ker. I m not some.what I'm looking for in college," he one whose, a btg. 6-r,oot-3, ,230said. "Really strong academics, a pound guy, he smd.. If you work great environment right in New York h~rd a.n,d h~ve a passion for so~e­ MARC EMRAUSTAFF MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF City and a Division r baseball team thi_ng, tt s gomg t~ pay off and you re St. Xavier catcher Andy Lamping during the sectional· that just won the Ivy League .this gomg to do well.

Moeller senior J.R. Reynolds has been a strong catcher for the Crusaders. finals at Oak Hill High School May 21:

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ClO SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2008

HIGH SCHOOLS

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Be sure to gr

Baseball: Division I .

•

i.

State champion West retooling after losses But coach says he still has talent

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@ehquirer.com

Bill Dreisbach saw much of his 2007 Division I state baseball championship team graduate, but the Lakota West coach believes 2008 also could be special.

"We have a lot of holes to fill, but the cupboard is not bare," Dreisbach said. "We have some good young talent that will get an opportunity this year." .

West lost 11 seniors from a 2&-5 team. The F'.trebirds won the first state baseball championship in the · Lakota districfs 48-year history.

West is ranked No. 2iri this year's preseason Enquirer Division I area • coaches' poll, with Moeller No. 1.

The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor ~· Moeller is rated No. 27 nationally ~.

by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Moeller's (left to right) Greg Williams, Ross Oltorik and Brent Suter, who all will play in college, are • and No. 29by bothBaseballAmerica three reasons the Crusaders got the nod at No. 1 by area coaches. ··

and Rivals.com.

A glance at the coaches' area Top 10, with the season starting Monday: 1. Moeller: Tun Held is the new coach. Held was an assistant the past 11 years under Mike Cameron, who retired after 39 seasons. Moeller could have the area's top 1-2 pitching tandem in senior UIP Greg Williams and senior RHP Ross Oltorik. Williams (signed with Marshall) was 8-0 with an 0.15 ERA last year. Oltorik, also a football quarterback, is headed to Ohio State on a combined baseball/football agreement Senior UIP/OF/lB Brent Suter (Harvard) and senior catcher J.R Reynolds (Ohio U.) also return. "We won't be changing a lot," Held said.

2. Lakota West Junior right-hander Bryan Beaver (7-1, 2.16 ERA) will be this year's pitching ace.As a sophomore, Beaver threw. a four-hitter in the F'.trebirds' 4-0 state title win over Mentor. He also plays second base (.320 batting average). Senior CF jimmy Brenneman (.406 BA, 22 SB) and senior 3B Craig Gauden (.269) .also are returning starters. Junior UIP Nate Smith (~1, 2.52 ERA) and junior OF Ricky Fmiey are among those to watch.

3. Elder: Senior RHP Mike Nastold (Louisville) is the area's top player, rated the No.165 seniornationally

by scouting service Perfect Game Preseason poll group of pitchers since the ·1990s.

USA Nastold was 7-4 last season Among them are junior UIP Kyle with a 120 ERA Nastold is recover~ Team Points Raleigh (3-0]ast year), senior RHP. ing from a broken left leg suffered 1. Moeller (7) · 167 Ray Sauer and sophomore UIP Joel last fall, but he should be available g~~~~S.IT(7,)11!1111!i •&t§l Bender. Top returning hitters inthe first or second week of play. Oth- 3. Elder (2) 145 elude senior OF Jake Proctor (.424), er key returnees for coach Mark :!f§.~'1JE(2)1111 !llliiJit:f~ senior infielder Jeff Muse (.406), seThompson include senior SS Eric 5. Princeton 82 nior OF Kyle Bluestein (.363) andjuUnneman (.359), senior OF/PDrew ~!ll~ nior C Matt Malloy (.385). · Ernst (.400) and senior P/infielder 7. Oak Hills 51 8. La Salle: Senior shortstop TerMitchell Reilly. ~lle'I. .L I lll[$ rell 'TJ." Jones (Cincinnati) has 4. _st. Xavier: Coa0 Bi!l S~er ~:-~='!.,":Mt~'t~~~.? been one of the area's elite players has SIX starters returning, mcluding 10~,G~!]Jstex<tm4t~kUI:t27 the past few seasons. He bit .500 last senior 3B/OF Billy Rumpke (Co. yearwith33RBiand16steals.Senior lumbia, .329 BA last year). Junior . Others: Fairfield 25 • Mason ~ 3 • Laoutfielder Matt Brown hit .410 last OF/3B Michael Basil (.355) is rated kota East ~ 2 • Lov~land 11• Milford 10• season, Senior pitcher Aaron Walter the No. 218prospect nationally in his Wes~em Hills 8, ~mgs 6, Sycamore 5, (179 ERA) figures to lead the staff. class by Perfect Game USA Senior Ha~son 5, Amelia 4, Anderson 3, 9. Colerain: New coach Scott BarAndy Lamping (.364) returns for a Turpm 3. ber, 29, is a South Carolina native , · third year as starting catcher, and se- - - - - - - - - - - who pitched in the Arizona Dianior SS Tun Issler .(.359) also re- tion mark. mondbacks system from 200().()4. turns.SeniorCraigRotherandjunior 6. Hamilton: The Big Blue have The Cardinals' top players include Tyler Hollstegge should lead the won at least 20 games in 17 consec- senior P/infielder Casey Henn pitching staff. · utive seasons. 'Thafs always a goal, (Wright State), who hit .396lastyear 5. Princeton: Senior outfielders to win 20," said Dan Bowling, enter- and senior SS/P Alex Vice (.319 BA, Dorian West (.417) and BJ. Willis ing his 26th year as Hamilton coach. 2-1 with 0.00 ERA in 17 IPlastyear). (.372) both have signed with the Uni- Returnees include senior SS Randy 10. Glen Este: Trojans coach Mike versity of Cincinnati. Senior infielder Mayes (.304), junior OF Andrew Hatfield, entering his second season, Randy Weinel is headed to Ohio Do- Ruecking (.321) and senior OF Bran-· has some standout returnees in outmillican. Coach Rocky Hubbard has don Whaley (.250). Senior RHP Eric fielders Andrew Keller (.373) and two outstanding sophomores in Cook and junior RHP Michael Wd- . Andrew Hord (.351). Outfielder shortstop/pitcher Spencer Ware kins lead the pitching staff.

Randy Jones, UIP Matt Marksberry andoutfielder/pitcherMarcusDavis 7. Oak Hills: Coach Chuck Lau- andRHPBrandonFullerareamong (.392). The ~itching staff is the ques- mann said he has his strongest other top players.

Coaches Showcase tournament

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~ t •ti

Elder's Ernst oh so, close to a no-hitter:

., " . . tj

bly painful. . ·c :·; I

By Keith Herrell If./! fM 110 "I knew I wanted it, and when~Enquirer contributor U"If :J I gave up that hit it was· disaP.:: '; Who would have thought that pointing," he said in the dugoU:t-v an8-0baseballgamewouldhave as his left elbow was being::~ ' so much drama? wrapped in ice (the n'bcage' · Firs~ Elder pitcher Drew wouldhavetowaitforattention)'.~i • Ernst stood one strike away "But it was still a big win for the-, from a no-hitter before losing it. team." · :' when Moeller center fielder How well did things go for:: Brent Suter grounded a single · Ernst? · '~ into left field on a 1-2 pitch. Then, "I was getting my changeup::· Ross Oltorik lined a shot into over the plate, down in the·_~ Ernsfsribcagethatthegutsyse- zone," he said. "I was getting:: nior picked up and fired to first · first-pitch strikes with my curve-. ' base, ending the game, before ball, and changing speeds on my~: falling to the ground in pain. fastball." ;.~: The Elder fans at the Univer-_ That about covered it, agreed•, sity of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Tim Held, in his first season at;; Stadium stood hushed fqr a long Moeller's helm after taking over~? moment, waiting to exhale until from longtime head coach Mik~ ·· Emstwasabletogetupandwalk Cameron.· _ · ~ .:; around. Only then could they "He threw a great game/'':· properly celebrate the Panthers' Held said of Ernst "He kept our'; shutout victory over the. top- kids off balance with the :first--t ranked team in the Enquirer's pitch curveball." _~; preseason coaches' poll.

Moelier--_ _ 000 000 o -0 t ·z:~~ Elder, No. 3 in the poll behind Elder ·-·-·--- 001 601 x -a 11 'II i Moeller and Lakota West, 2-3, wP-Emsi(1-0).LP--ononK(0-1).Hittingleaders:E-Emst ·• 2B; Reilly 2-3, 2 RBI; Unneman 3 RBI. Records:•'• hooked up_with the Crusaders in Moeller 2-2 (1-1 GCL); Elder 2-1 (2-0 GCL). '' ·'' the marquee game of the CoachSt. Xavier 10, La Salle 8 _ Th~' ; es Showcase.toumament, which Bombers, No. 4 in the coaches·..; concluded With two games Sun- poll, withstood sonie anxious~ day ~moon. And~~ Panth~rs . moments to nail down the victQ-·.: won 1_11 styl:. ~ombmmg an !ill- ry after enjoying a 10-1lead en··p~essive hitting . performance tering the sixth inning: Junior·; With Ernst's one-hit gem. ' starter Tyler Hollstegge, who• - The 5-foot-10 left-bander pitched into-the sixth inning anf' fa~e? 22 batters, one ov~r the was 2-for-3 with a double at the .. illllllillum, and thrE::w 84 pitche~. plate for St X, got the victory. ' .: · He was no slouch at the plate, e1· ·ther, going 2-for-3 with a double St.xavier--060 La Sail•--- 010 oos 2 -a 10 s 400_ x -1o 12 4 tO Open Elder'S Six-run fourth inWP-Hollstegge (1-Q). LP-Ross (0-1). Hitting leader.;: 1

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And, all things COnSidered,

lmiino- thP no-hittf>r wasn't terri-

LA: Ketterman 1-1, 3-run HR: Meister 2-2; Hugentobler 1-3, 2B.' SX: Rother 2-2, 2B; Hollstegge 2-3, 2B; lssler 2-3; Basil 2-3, Rumpke 1-3, 2B. Records: La Salle 2:2 .

(0-2 GCL); St. Xa~er 1-1 (1-1 GCL).

Hiih schools ~

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BASEBALL: Moeller 6, ·St..1 Xavier 4: Down 3-1 entering

the bottom of the fourth in-, · ning, host Moeller score~ · five runs to put the team up· for good on a two-Out, three-J · ~· run double by senior centen · fielder Brent Suter.· ti ~ ''It being the first game o(I the. season and seeing live· ~ ' pitches hurt us a. little in the( ~I beginning; · but going ~ · through the lineup a couple. of times and settling dowfi.l was the key, as well as timelY.i base' hits,"· Moeller coacq,:· Tim Held said.· • v It. was the first game a~r " head coach for Held, who,j . succeeds legendary Moeller1 . coach Mike Cameron. " .. :..,.· Moeller is ranked No. 1 itrt the Enquirer Division I area, · coaches' poll, while St X is.

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Moeller junior steps into key role kf/l(p lp8

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By Mark Chalifoux I' mchalifoux@communitypress.com

Brett Cisper has been playing baseball since he has in the first grade, but didn't start taking it seriously until he saw his older brother, · Jason, win a state championship with Moeller in 2006.

"It was all for fun until 1 saw that and saw what he could do and it helped me realize my own potential," Cisper said.

"Seeing him win state made me want one of my own."

If the Crusaders do win state this ' year, Cisper, a Loveland resident, will have to play a key role.

The junior shortstop is in his first season on varsity and is one of the more talented players for Moeller this season.

MARK CHAIFOUXISIAFF "He's playing shortstop and he's Moeller's !Brett Cisper is expected to be acatalyst for batting leadoff or second in the order. the offense and an anchor on defense.

He's been thrown right into the fire to be a catalyst on offense and an team isn't going to follow your examanchor on the defense," said Tim ple," Osper said. "ln baseball, if my team needs Held, Moeller's head baseball coach.

"You wouldn't know it's his first someone to step up and say some- . season on varsity, he has the right thilng I'll do it and in a situation when demeanor and you'd think he's been we need a hit, I'd like to think I would come through for them." around for awhile."

Cisper also said his brother is a big Cisper said one of the keys to his influence on him and that he learmed success is his leadership ability, Much of that comes from his foot- a lot watching him lead on the field.

His ultimate g0al is to play in colball career,· which ended after his sophomore season at Moeller, as a lege play professionally.

"I think he can definitely be a quarterback.

"You're the guy in charge of the J)ivision l major college prospect," offense and the guy everyone looks Held said.

"He just needs to continue to work to, if you aren't a good leader your on his footwork in the field and tD keep getting better. He has a lot of God-given talent and he's a hard worker."

Cisper is also a hard worker in the classroom as he's been a permanent fixture on the honor roll at Moeller.

"My dad always motivates me, there's a little cash benefit if l get straight As, but it's more personal motivation because if baseball doesn't work out I'd like to rely on academics to get me in somewhere nice," Cis;per said.

For now, though, his eyes are ·On making Held's frrst season as the head coach at Moeller a memorabie one by winning a state title.

"We get to start building a new legacy at Moeller, which is always cool,·· Cisper said. '"It would be really cool. to win MARK CHALIFOUXISTAFF Moeller's Brett Cisper has a strong arm for a state in his first year and get him off on the right foot." shortstop, according to head coach Tim Held.

Football camp

Soccer camps

The Ultimate Preps Football Camp and Showcase will take place 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Summit Country Day, 2161 Grandin Road, Madisonville.

This, for athletes in grades 8-12, will be an opportunity for players to test, get their names out early in the recruiting process and increase exposure with college scouts of all levels.

Cost is $70. Registration required.

Call 713-305-9894.

The 2008 Ohio South Soccer Unlimited Soccer Camps Will be June 2-Aug. 15 . Camps, which wilD be held at area elementary and high schools including Summit Country Day, Bethel-Tate, New Richmond, Anderson, Terrace Park, St. Ursula Villa, Deer Park, Madeira and l11dian Hill, are for athletes ages 5 to 18.

Fees range from $75 to $119. For a schedule of camps, contact Jack Herma.Jils 232-7916, jhermans@fuse.net or visit www.osysa.comf11outhcamps.

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THE ENQUIRER

qigb school baseball

Moeller edges Elder 3-1

By Marf/c(/e~~ E_nquirer contributor

First-year Moeller baseball coach Tim Held admits his Crusaders might have lost a game such as Wednesday's with Elder. earlier in the season. : In fact, they did. Elder rolled to db. 8-0 win over Moeller on April6 at the University of Cincinnati. " The Crusaders proved Wednesday how far they've come Since that loss, in which they were held hitless until two outs in 1:\ie last inning. In the rematch, Moellet: capitalized on its few scoring opportunities and limited the Panthers to an unearned, lastinningrun in a3-1 Greater Catholic League South Division win at the Blue Ash Sports Center's G{rosley Field. . ., '!We were very ·young," Held· shld of the first game. ''We knew tarly in the year that our hitting ' 'would be open to question." . ,f. Senior left fielder Ross Oltorik qad three hits and left-handers Brent Suter and Ian Hundley combined on the near-shutout as Moeller (18-5, 11-2), the No. 3 team in the Enquirer Division I ooaches' poll and the fourth-ranked team in the Associated Press :Qivision I state coaches' poll, leapfrogged over Elder (15-3, 9-2) into first place in the GCL South. ; The teams conclude league play Friday. Moeller is scheduled to play at La Salle, while Elder rimked s~cond in the Enquirer poll and sixth in the state- travels tU St Xavier to finish an April 7 game that was called due to darkness with the score 1-1 before playing their regularly scheduled game.

Wednesday, senior Elder righthander Mike Nastold pitched a complete game, b\lt saw the Crusaders capitalize on one mental qustake -and a physical error for two runs in the third inning. ; "Elder's a good team," Oltorik ~aid. "They usually don't have those kinds of things happen to them." · . Elder. coach Mark Thompson talked to his team and left the ballpark without comment 1

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Moeller ..................... ooo. ooo 1 -1 8 1 Ejder................ ...... .. 002 100 x -3 8 2 WP - Suter (2-0); lP - Nastold (3-1). Leaders: E Groene 3-4, 28; Emst 2-3, Wood 2-3, 28. M- Reynolds 2-4, 3-3, 28; O.~rik 3-3, 28. Records: E 15-3 (9-2 Greater c;'tholic League South Di~sion); M 18-5 (11-2 GCL South).

·modem North American record for i ·the longest winning streak ·of any 1 racehorse with a saddle(!. jockey. 1 _ Got Country Grip tried to claim i ~sole ownership of the record late ' ;.;saturday when he was to run against four other horses in. the ·'$25,000 Mr.l..eWie Memorial Hand.:,icap at Remington Park. ' - The fryear-old gelding was the 2-5 morning-line ·favorite, even ~though he was to carry 130 potinds, ~~the most of any horse in the :field.· :; Before Saturday- night's race, - Got Country Grip had lifetime earn·' .ings of$257,578, tops among paint ~horses. · --

/ High school baseball

Moeller drops_ Curtin .on St. X ~crusaders

reliever :-~Iso goes 5-for-5 ..,yj,g:f~-8 .. '·

By .Tom G{oe~chen

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tgroeschen@enquirer.com

" Moeller senior left-bander Pat

:.,cUrtin had about 22 hours to think

. about which pitch he was going to :throw. ·· • • Moeller beat St Xavier 12-7 Tues. ,day at St. Xavier in the completion of ·a· game suspended Monday by rain, ·J~ut not before some high drama. , .. ' The score was tied 4-4 in the bot- , tom of the fourth inning when rain •Stopped play Monday. .: ·When action resumed Tuesday, o,St. X had runners on second and -third and hard-hitting Bombers catcher Andy Lamping was at the 1 _plate with a 1-2 count f · · ., Cw-tin, in relief of Monday starter -Greg Williams, took the J:illl for the . ,first pitch Tuesday. . He tossed a cmveball that caught . Lamping looking, then got out of the ·.inning on a siJectacular diving catch o_by right .fielder Keith Rieman on top •~ombers hitter Michael Basil. ., • oTheytoldmerightafterthegame .. JM.onday) that I'd be pitching today, . -.so I was thinking all night and all day ; ..aj)outwhatpitch to throw on that.first t jme," Curtin said. "I figured he'd be j.iooking fastball, so I threw the cmve. . ,. ~- .'Then we got a great catch from Keith Rieman." .· ~, ·Moellertheneruptedforfourruns ·inthe top of the fifth, capped by a two. ,hm·single by Curtin to make it 8-4.

Jbat would be all Moeller needed. , ._;_,c;urtin went :.>-for-5 with two RBI Jgr, the game, his second .five-hit -,:game of the year. He also raised his _p~tching record to 3-1 with 3% innings : ,pjtched Tuesday.

•. ;... ,st X coach Bill Slinger said the _strikeout and then the diving catch <Y(er~ big for Moeller. i .. · 'They make that great play, and . :if'!-a big momentum changer," Sling- I .. -€!' said. ~ · ,The Crusaders beat St X 6-4 in ',Po¢ teams' season opener April2. ,·., MoellerisrankedNo.3andGreat· r . -erCatholicLeagueSouthriva!StXis :~- 4 in the Enquirer Division I . _coaches' poll. ~oth entered with two-game los.ing. streaks. Moeller had run off 14 ~~aight wins before dropping two .,..gq.mes in the Beast of the East tour• ,nament over the weekend. ; ~;<This gets everybody off our ..·~cks at school now," Moeller coach :--'l!nn Held said, smiling. ''We always .. ;~t up for St X and all our GCL .-games." '·•· Moeller senior outfielder Brent _: jltjer went 3-for-5 with a home run, a ":triple and four RBI. ._,.:,forSt X, senior .first baseman Jordan Finley was 2-for-4 with a homer . and three RBI. 1 ))We were down on ourselves after l~jng two in a row," Curtin said. ; ;"YV,e're coming together again."

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t .~Mo~;er o04 o42 2 -12 13 ·'Sl.Jfa\ier ................. 200 201 2 -7 9 -)!If' -.QJrtin (3·1, 4 K's). LP- Fruedigger (0·1). Leaders; M ·

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>,,R81:J.-v.;s 3-4, 28. 38. Recilrds: M 17-5 (10.2 GCl-S), SX 13.0 ·:.s~GCL-S) .

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TODAY

"'GA"MES ·C-J at Alter .~Roger Bacon at McNicholas - Ellfer at Moeller '··Badin at Purcell Marian r ;st.~Xavier at La Salle ..t:,en-r'ick at Carroll -,.-~·

~GAMES

THURSDAY

' 'Biidin at C-J

· ~Oafioll at Carlisle

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FRIDAY

, -R,oger Bacon at Badin - ~IW at Fenwic~ ·-Porcell at McN1cholas 'Elder at St. Xavier '• Ga'rroll at C-J •··MoeJier at La Salle

·., :- ,.· ,.,GAMES

SATURDAY

. TIME 4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

5 p.m..

TIME

4:30p.m.

5 p.m.

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4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m .

4:30p.m.

TIME

Moeller at Tallmadge · noon . , C-J atTroy noon ' '1 p.m. 1 Norwood at Purcell Marian Vandalia Butler at Badin 1:30 p.m. I · •.·.C~B[Tiinade-Julienne at Troy 2 p.m. ,Norwood at Purcell Marian 3:30p.m. · Springboro at Badin 4 p.m. ·1La Salle at Colerain 7 p.m . .--:..E:arroll at Greenview -~~ .I ,.Ga.rroll at Urbana · : . El_tler at Best of the West TBA ~ "' · St:'Xavier at Kings TBA. G I

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-='43@TF\ GETTING TO KNOW > GORDY DOOLEY

GE I liNG TO: KNOW

GORDY DOOLEY OF ST~ HENRY HIGH SCHOOL Gordy is an 18-year-old senior at St. Henry District High School who stars in both track and cross country for the Crusaders: Gordy, a University of Louisville recruit, has had a standout high school career to date in both sports. He has won a total of five individual Kentucky state titles and is favored to add to that total later this spring. In track and field competition, Gordy won the

3,200 meter n,m as a sophomore in 2006 and the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs in 2007. In cross country he finished first in 2006 and 2007. He has been named the KTCCCA Kentucky Cross Country Runner of the Year twice. Best track times entering the 2008 spring season: 800 mete~ -1:59.44, 1,600 meter- 4:22.10, 3,200 meter- 9:21.30, 5,000 meter -15:32.00. -Ed Letsinger

[__ ~i~~n_a_me ~ Go~d()_ One word that describes your personality: Competitive I like running because: It's a hard sport that involves a lot of dedication and the feeling of accomplishing something after a hard workout [if!didn't run Iwould play --what "sport: I would go back to the sports that I grew up playing like basketball, soccer, and hockey ··--·My superstitions/pre-run rituals are: To go to Fazolis with the team every Friday night '"-'----------------~--

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[ If I'Ill n~t runningJ_arn most lik!IY_ to l>_e_found: At fe~ect I\Jortt1_~1~pes skiing___ .. __ My favorite distance to run is: The mile because of the speed and strategy of the race, but my body is built for the longer distance races [,_Your top runner all-time is: Lasse Viren · -· --·- --Furthest distance I have ever run is: 14 miles --

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[ia~()~~e Internet sp_ot: ~ytrackxc~()rn• t~e Ke_ntucky__rl.mning webs~e: ___ __ Best book I have ever read: The Harry Potter books [1!orite food~ ~paghet_ti Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden m

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[ Type__ of ll11J5_ic I like is:_<:_()~n~ry,_ r~p, sk~, and rock; it all dep~~_ds on th_e kind of mood thatJ~ in_ .

My favorite band and/or singer: Matchbox 20

[_~y favorit!IJI_!)_V~e: _!he _Bour-_0~_Trilogy movies_____ _ My favorite TV show: Scrubs

l Favori~e_~_ct~r/actress: W~I_Ferrel My favorite place to hang out is: My family's cabin [J~e best j)l~~e_~h~t I ever visit~d is: Rome, Italy My sports hero is: My grandfather because he was a professional football player in the CFL · [ I am most h~pj)y_when: I run a. good race or skilog .. _ The best thing about high schooi is: My friends and teammates [ f>1y favorite class at St~ Henryhas_be_en: _!\natomy__ ___ .. __ ----·-~----- ___ .

Best sports memory is: Being named to the Footlocker All-South Team (Top 24 runners in the South) [ I'm most thankfu_~ f~r: Myfarnil)'. teammates, and my talents Best advice I ever received about running is: Run hard turn left

[ir()fe~sional a,t~~!!_most wa_n~_t_() _meet is:u~cllael jordar1____ , .

My funniest teammate is: Michael Robinson [First word that comes to_rr1i11dab~ut Uni~~~ig of Louis!iU~_<;oaching My parents were right when they told me: That school is more important than athletics

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'\\, FEATURE > TIM HELD .

ITIM HELD TAKES OVER THE REIGNS OF THE MOELLER BASEBALL PROGRAM I

BY MIKE DYER I PHOTOS BY WAYNE LITMER "-'

Held isn't afraid to admit the - record: The Crusaders lost to St.-Xavier · ball program," Borman said. "I will tell obvious. The longtime Moeller · 6-3 in the Division I regional semifinals. you that I have had several coaches in assistant coach says it feels a bit weird Cameron retired after the 2007 sea- the program as well as current parents having the title of head baseball coach son but still remains chairman of the and students comment on the great this spring as the Crusaders conduct school's health and physical education way that Tim has begun managing the preseason workouts. Held, who is in his department. program."

12th year of coaching and teaching at "I was ready for a break from baseball Held spent the past six years as a!l Moeller, succeeds legendary head base- both physically and mentally," Cameron assistant varsity baseball coach after ball coach Mike Cameron this season. said about his decision to retire as base- he coached three years on the freshCameron stepped down last June after ball coach. "I have enjoyed the extra free man level and two years on the junior a 767-303 record in 39 seasons. · time which has allowed me to do many varsity level. He also coached basketball "''mused to deflecting a lot of things of the things I could not do for the on the JV and freshman levels his first to Coach Cams, but now I can't," Held past 40 years because of my coaching five years at Moeller and was a member said. "He has been a tremendous influ- responsibilities. I miss the relationships of the coaching staff for the 1999 state ence in my personal and coaching life. I had with the players and coaches along title team.

The relationships he has developed with with the competition, but I feel good "Tim has a very good working former players and parents is tremen- with my decision." knowledge of the skills and techniques dous and something to look up to. He A 1991 Bryan (Ohio) High School of baseball," Cameron said. "He· has was fair to every player that ever tried graduate, Held played four years of a coaching style that gets these skills out for the team and he did his best baseball at Defiance College and gradu- and techniques across to the players. every day to make the players better." ated in 1996. He was a two-year all- Because of these two factors, the players . Now it's Held's opportunity to apply conference shortstop in college. · will develop to their fullest potential." his mentor's words on and off the baseHeld, 35, lives in Montgomery with Since June 1,. 2007 - the day he ball diamond. his wife, Leslie, and two sons, Drew and was officially named Moeller's baseball

TIM

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I'm used to deflecting a lot of things to Coach Cams, but now I can't," Held said. "He has been a tremendous influence in my p~rsonal and coaching life. The relationships he has developed with former players and parents is tremendous and something to look up to. Q.Q "This preseason is a little different, but a lot of it is the same," Held said.

"Coach Cameron did a· fantastic job of taking everyone's advice and input and working it into the program and every practice. He let all his assistants do the · things that made them the most comfortable. Because of that, I had a lot of say in all the things we had done over the past six years on the varsity level and so most of those things have not changed."

Moeller won the GCL-South title last season and finished with a 27-4

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Alex. Held teaches math at Moeller and said it's been the only teaching' position he has had.

"Tim has a great relationship with his players," Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said. "Tim is an educator first which equips him per:fectly for coaching."

Borman said he also feels different in not having Cameron as the head coach.

But, he thinks Held had adjusted quite well to the· change.

"I have been here 39 years and every spring I would see Mike with the base-

coach - Held said he has enjoyed every minute and can't wait to take to the field. But, he won't forget the lessons Cameron continues to share with him. "(Coach Cameron) still teaches in the building so I see him often and I'm always picking _his brain about some-. thing - picking the team, ordering uniforms, handling pitchers, etc.," Held said. "He has a lot of knowledge that I'm -still trying to get out of him." C

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MIKE NASTOLD < BASEBALL senior Mike Nastold lives by a simple rule: "My dad always tells me, 'Let other people talk about you. You don't have to talk about yourself.'"

In a record-setting career, the 6-foot-4 fire-balling senior right-hander has given people plenty to talk about.

Take Elder head coach Mark Thompson, entering his 19th season, for example.

"He's the most talented pitcher I've coached," Thompson said.

For the rest of Elder's players, opponents, and fans, there seems to always be one word that is heard when talking about Nastold: nasty.

Nasty, as in a fastball that's been clocked at 94 miles per hour to go along with a hard curveball. Nasty, as in a school-record 0.22 ERA his sophomore season, the best single-season effort by an Elder pitcher ever, including anyone from any of Elder's 12 state championship teams.

The word fits him so well, not only is it the name he's universally known by in the Elder dugout, but he also has it tattooed on his back.

The nastiest part, though, is that we still haven't seen Nastold at his best.

Minor setbacks had limited his offseason training prior to his sophomore and junior seasons, and while on a religious retreat this September, just as it seemed Nastold would have a full offseason to prepare for his senior year, bad luck struck once again.

"We were basically playing backyard football," Nastold said. "There were two kids who were holding on to me and I came up to a third guy and I tried to roll off of him and my leg stuck and he fell on top of me and it just snapped."

Nastold had to have seven screws and a metal plate put in just above the ankle to stabilize his broken left leg, limiting him to primarily upper body work this off-season. Although that meant he could not do any hard throwing for much of the winter, Nastold took the injury in stride.

El DER

S.iijt9@~

"It didn't worry me, because I knew man year and that was Aaron Brown, I was going to be dedicated," he said. "I and lie's the best hitter I've coached," had been kind of taking it easy and just . Thompson said. "So we knew he was laid back, and what happened to my leg real special."

Nastold proved that in his recordmade me just work so much harder. I wasn't doing what I should be, so I ¡ setting sophomore season, going 5-0. think it was God just giving me a kick Last year his ERA went up a run to a in the b~tt." still dominating 1.23, but Thompson Elder head coach Mark Thompson noticed his ace pitcher was pressing at saw it another way. times.

"Basically, what Mike was trying to "Here we go again," Thompson said.

"Let's see, before his sophomore year he do last year was throw the ball by everyhad mono, before his junior year he had body," Thompson said. "When you have a little knee problem-it didn't require that kind of an arm and scouts start surgery but we did have to kind of baby coming around, sometimes you start it-and now this year with the ankle.. throwing to the guns and I. think Mike got caught up in that a little bit."

Still, when the Panthers had to have one more out to get them to the state semifinals, Thompson called upon Nastold to get the job done, and it was just a seeing-eye single that prevented Nastold from out-dueling one of the state's top-rated left banders in the next game.

Nastold has signed to play college baseball at Louisville next season, but says he could be lured into professional baseball by the right offer from a team following Major League Baseball's amateur draft in June.

Before then, Nastold would like to lead the Panthers on one last run deep into the state tournament.

Nastold's fastball has been docked as high as 94 mph.

"My sophomore year and junior year, I thought we could have gone farSo every off-season it's been something. ther than we did and our team knows He hasn't really hasn't had a chance to that we could have, we just didn't bring develop as fully as he could in the off- our'/\ game," Nastold said. "That's kind season, so when he does it could be of an emphasis for this year." scary."

Thompson is confident Nastold is Even with the limited time to prepared to lead the way.

"He's really matured, I think, since develop, Nastold's ability was immediyear," Thompson said. "Hopefully last ately evident.

As the Panthers were in the pro- we see the results here, but I'm really cess of winning their most recent state excited about the way he has developed, championship in 2005, Nastold' was not just physically, but emotionally and elevated to the varsity team, something spiritually."

If Thompson is right, Nastold could Thompson noted is quite rare.

"We've only had one other guy that have Elder fans talking for years to we've brought up at the end of his fresh- come. â&#x20AC;˘

I had been kind of taking it easy and just laid back, and what happened to my leg made me just work so much harder. I wasn't doing what I should be, so I think it was God just giving me a kick in the butt. -Mike Nasto/d, on his most recent injury problem. www.hacksports.com

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Spring 2008

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5

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Roundup

Polanecky's home~; spar~ Turpin win~: ~j//)C~-

. , Anderson 10, Indian Hill 1:'':< Senior first baseman Brian.Sallee~~ Pat Polanecky hit a three-run hit his first home run of the seli~ ~

Enqui;r staff r~porls

home run, hi!l third of the season, in the bottom of the fifth inning against Summit to give Turpin a 5-l victory, its 19th of the season.

The senior left fielder added a double and a triple to finish the game ~for-3. · Freshman Eric Martin picked up the-win and improved to 4-2.

Moeller 12, Vandalia Butler 1: Moeller senior pitcher Ross Oltorik threw f~ur scoreless innings to .earn ·the victory. Senior first baseman Patrick Curtin went 4· for-4 with three doubles and five RBI. . · Elder ll, Western HillS 0: Elder · senior pitcher Drew Ernst struck outninetoearnthewin,hisfourth of the season. Ernst ·ruso hit his second home run of the season.

Junior infielder Zac Asman went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Senior catcher Johnny Groene went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBI. Anderson 10, Indian Hill 3:

Junior shortstop John Schaer was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI, and senior left fielder Ethan Arnold was2-for-4 with threeRBifor the Redskins.- .

son and finished 2-for-3 with two~ RBI in the se_cond game of a dou~·;· bleheader. ·;.

OakHills7,Fairfieldl:OakHills·;-

junior pitcher Kyle Raleigh (4-1) ~ earned the victory, allowing on¢·. run on five hits, and also went 2:~ for-5 at the plate with a double. .:~:~ Junior outfielder Jake Proctor~ was 3-for-5 with a double and tW;Q..

RBI. · .:," ..

Softball

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St. Ursula 5, Mt. Notre Dame 0~:~ Megan Flenniken threw her fitst career perfect game. The sopho-. more struck out five batters over: · seven innings to improve to 15-S'.t Junior first baseman Jillirur· Baker hit a three-run home run iii~ the top of the fifth inning foF.~ St. Ursula (15-8). ~:.'

TaYlor 5, Walnut Hills 1: SophOf .· more Kelli Townsley pitched four~ innings, striking out three and· scattering five hits to pick up the , win. ~ .· Junior Ashley Dailey pitched:· the final three innings, ·striking · out six and not allowing a hit. ·. ': Townsley added a double and,. two RBI at the olate.

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Ba~ebalf E/'fQ .sIu,10 8 • Moeller 4, Sycamore 3: Senior pitcher Greg Williams gave up· two runs on six hits in five innings . to help the Crusaders to the victo- . ry in a Division I sectional baseball final at Mason. , In the first inning, senior left fielder Ross Oltorik hit a one-out three run homer to bring in senior JR Reynolds and senior Patrick Curtin to give Moeller a 3-0 lead.

'That early home run helped us settle down and gave us a comfortable lead until we gave up the tWo runs in the fifth" said Moeller coach Tun Held. "It helped us to have the.early momentum so we · ·could olav our ~rame". .

jRoundup

Turpin surprises . Milford· in sectional· St. Xavier,·Moeller advance to finals s!a/o8 Enquirer staff reports the seventh inning to force extra · · There was plenty of drama at the Division I baseball sectional tour. nament at Milford Saturday.

Turpin senior shortstop Nate Fudala drove in the g<rahead run with a single to right field in the eighth inning as the Spartans upset Milford 8-6.

Milford is ranked No.5 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll while Turpin is unranked. · Turpin senior pitcher Ryan Martin threw an eight-inning complete game. Martin had 11 strikeouts and kept his perfect record on ·the ·mound (6-0). . Turpin led 3-0 after the :first inning - but Milford rallied twice from a three-run deficit Turpin senior Robbie Lubanski w~nt 3-for,4 with two doubles and four RBI. Turpin plays Glen Este in a sectional final Monday.

Baseball.

St. Xavier 14, Oak Hills 3 (five in· nings), Division I sectional: St. Xavier had a 5-0 lead after the first inning. Senior Richie Oilier had 10 strikeouts.

Moeller 9, Walnut Hills 2, Division ' I sectional: Senior pitcher Ross 01torik struck out 10 in six innings and was 2-for-4 at the plate.

Glen Este 6, Loveland 3 (eight innings), Division I sectional: Glen Este scored three runs in the top of

innings. Ju:ni.or pitcher Matt Marksbeny threw three scoreless· innings, the sixth, seventh and· eighth, to earn the win. ..

In the eighth, Glen Este fresh- · : man Matt Jones knocked in two runs.

Wyoming 4, Notwood 3, Division .

II sectional: Senior Alex Birdsall had the game-winning hit in the seventh to lift Wyoming (10-16). Ju-. niorT.C. Oneal scored the winning run. · · .Princeton 10, Mason 7, Division I sectional: Princeton jumped to an early 6-0 lead after four innings and held on as Mason scored seven runs in the last three innings.

Softball

Cincinnati Country Day 2, New Mi·" ami 1, Division IV sectional: CCD sophomore Anna Lemen threw ·a complete game with seven strike- . outs.

Batavia 12, Felicity 2 (six innings), Division Ill sectional: Batavia senior pitcher Jamie Bare struck out eight to win her 50th career game. She improved her record to 13-4. ' .

Williamsburg 18, St. Beman! 1 (five innings), Division IV sectional: Williamsburg freshman Rachel Meisberger threw her first career five-inning n<rhitter. Meisberger had eight strikeouts and went. 3for-4. ~· .. •

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Moeller advances to rCgional rmal with 4-0 shutout Div.l disbict baseball

ByJeffWallner 5)2.<-l/08

te~esinthere.Butonceigotactive

dunng wannups, they went away. I was just excited to be out there."

Moeller pitcher Brent Suter had Suter, who will attend Harvard, barelyfive days to consider the mag- responded by allowing just two hits nitude of his scheduled start in Sat- over siX strong six innings as Moe!urday's district final against Spring- ler earned the district championship boro. with a 4-0 win over Springboro on The Crusaders left-bander had Friday at Midland Field. made just three prior starts this sea- • The Crusaders advanced to the son. But with workhorse Greg WJI- regional final, where they'll face the liams having thrown more than 100 winner of today's district. final bepitches in his previous outing, Suter tween St Xavier and Turpin at 5 was pressed into service. p.m. Thursday at the lJniversity of "Coach told me Monday after our Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium. (sectional final) against Sycamore," SeniorPatrickCurtinwent2-for4 said Suter. "All week I was trying to with a RBI, and junior Brett Cisper visualize successful plays and pitch- went 1-for-2 with an RBI and run some but- · scored for Moeller. ' es. There. were definitely....____ Enquirer contributot

University of_Dayton, entered Fri- ~day's game With a 7-0 record. Heallowed just one run on four hits, ·walked five and struck out 10 in suffering his first defeat · Ghysels' off-speed pitches kept Moeller's batters off balance, but the Crusaders' patience at the plate elevated Ghysels' pitch count "Ghysels is a great pitcher," said Held. "We kept that constant pressure on him inning after inning. We finally broke him down. We found a way to grind it out"

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Suter, who walked four and struck out four, went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. He hel4 Springboro hitless through 4~ innings.

"We knew that with his velocity and off-speed pitches that he'd be successful," said Crusaders coach Tun Held. "Being 6-foot-4, he has a different arm-slot that makes him tough to hit His pitches get on them a little faster. We were very confi. dent in Brent" Moellerscoreditsfirstrunwhen Chuck Ghysels walked Cisper with the bases loaded in the fifth , ' Ghysels, who signed With -the --r mru • ng'

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WP- Stier (~).LP- Gh)'sefs (7·1).t.aaders: MReynolds t-3, 24• RBI; 2-3· 2B: Clsper 1•2• R, RBI. 5 R, sa: She!trown 1-3; t.amley 1-3. Records: M22-6, S 25-5.

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Moeller's Ian Hundley (center) is- ~

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The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller's Pat Curtin singles to center field in the first inning Thursday agamst St. Xavier in the Division I regional semifinals. The Crusaders rolled to a 9-5 victory.

Moeller: Holds off St. X From PageCl

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Pat Curtin got the final out; as he stranded two St X runners.

The Crusaders (24-,6) will face Lakota East (18-11) in the regional final at 2 p.m. today at UC. The winner goes to the state tournament next week, with Moeller seeking its first state appearance since winning the 2004 title.

Moe1ler took a 6-0 lead with a' six-run third inning against St. X ace Richie Ollier (6-1), as the Crusaders were led by two-run singles from Brent Suter and Brent Cisper. Cisper had three hits and three RBI overall.

The Crusaders had 13 hits and held on as St. Xavier had 13 hits of its own.

Moeller coach Tim Held said his team is finding its stride again at tournament time.

"St. X is the best hitting team we've faced, and I didn't think this

"St. X is the best hitting team we've faced, and! didn't think this game would ever end. " Moener coach Ton Held

game would ever end," Held said.

"Our kids are just really playing with confidence right now."

Moeller swept its two Greater Catholic League South regularseason meetings with St. Xavier, 6-4 and 12-7. · "I don't think they had better hitting than us, but they had more pitching depth," St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. "I really compliment our kids on never saying die, but (Williams) is one of the best the GCL has to offer."

Williams, signed with Marshall

for next season, is also considered a prospect for the Major League Baseball draft June 5-6. Williams struck out six Thursday.

"I thought he threw the ball as well as he has all year," Moeller 'senior catcher J.R Reynolds said. ·"They're just a good hitting team, :but Greg had enough to get the job done."

Reynolds also had two hits and two RBI. Moeller was the preseason No.1 team in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and St. X was ranked No.4. At the close of the regular season, Moeller and St. X .were ranked Nos. 3-4, respectively, in the poll behind Lakota West (still alive in the tournament) and Elder (eliminated).

St. Xavier-- 000 201 2 -5 13 2 Moeller.••- - - 006 003 -9 13 0 WP- Williams (6-2, 6 K's). lP- Oilier (6-1). Leaders: SXBasil 2-.3; Lamping 2B; Rother 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Hollstegge 3-4, 2 RBI; Finley RBI; M- Reynolds 2-4, 2 RBI; Sunderman 2-2; Suter 2-4, 3B, z·RBI; Clsper 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Momsoo 2-3, RBI; Rieman RBI. Records: SX 21-8, M 24-6.

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Oklahoma State's Belza· on Freshman .All-America·team Kyle Brown

fr I ate_

kbrown@enquirer.com

· College update ·

Oklahoma State's Tom Belza (Moeller) was named to the Louisville Slugger FreshmanAll-Amer~ ica,team. Belza led Oklahoma State-. anq the Big 12 Conference with a .3_8j) batting average, and hit .345 in col)fer~nce pl~y. . . . bunng a. 12-game wrnrung sirbak: late in the season, Belza was one ofthe Cowboys' top hitters, going 23-for-48 with 11 RBI and eight ruris, and ended the season with _a 14--game hitting streak. ·In addition to the Louisville

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Slugger award, Belza was named second-team All-Big 12 and was named the NCAA Stillwater. Re-gional All-Tournament team.

• Furman senior Joey. Rodgers (Wyoming) was named the team's MVP after leading the team with 10 home runs and 24 stolen bases.

Rodgers had a two-run hoine run in the Paladins' win against Appalachian State May 23 in the Southem Conference tournament, before the team was eliminated by the College of Charleston May 24. ~-

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• Louisville freshman Josh Harrison (Oak Hills) finished the season hitting .284 and finished sec· ond on the team with 15 doubles. · • Georgia Tech junior DaJJi.d Duncan (New Richmond) finished With a 7-3 record, and he led the team with 74 strikeouts and9615 in- riings pitched this season. . ~Ouachita Baptist seni?rS Nic~ Williams (St. Xavter) and ]tm Stretcher (Oak Hills), juniors- Drew Wurzelbacher (Badin), Drew Maus (Badin) and Jerry Helferich (Colerain) were members of the Tigers team that lost 6-2 to Mount Olive in the Division II National.

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Championship May 31. Streicher an Earley (Elder) finished the seawent 3-for-4 with a double, and son with a 2-2 record and 3.44 ERA, Maus went 1-for-3 in the title game. striking out 25 batters in 34; innings Streicher led the team with a .425 _ pitched. Earley signed to continue batting average and 18 doubles this playing baseball with Illfuois State season, while Maus hit .310 with17 next season. · doubles. Wurzelbacher .287. Wil• Ashland reached the NCAA Iiams hit .294. · Division II World Series for the • Ohio ·Doqll.nican senior Joe second time in three seasons, and Janusik rrince~on) was_ named won a regional cha_mpionship._ the Amencan Mtdeast Conference Freshmen Andrew Pifer (LovePlayer of the Week on May 12. Ja- hind) and' Caleb Swanson (Mason) nusik went 8-for-17 with a home were members of the team, whose run, four doubles and eight RBI season ended in a 12-5loss to Ouaover four games during the NAIA chita Baptist May -28.

Region championship.

WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELDi Illi_• Uncoln Trail sophomore Bry- nois sophomore Angela Bizzarri .

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(Mason) won the 5,000 meters at~ the NCAA Mideast Regional oO::.

May 30. Bizzarri's time of 16:24.38::: set a facility record at John-McDonnell field and qualified herfor the NCAA Championships '" MEN'S TRACK AND AnD: Cin,., I cinnatijunior ~dy King (St Xavi~_-, ' er) was named to the College, Sport~ IQformatio~ Dire_cto~s of I I Amencan Acaderruc all-Dtstrict IV." tealn. King was UC's top finishe~.:: at the Great Lakes Regional Cham~w pions hip in cross countrY, finish:... ing in 47th place, and competed iii'~ the 5,000 and 10,000 meters iiC ·track. ·

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FN

SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2008 C9

Baseball draft

Osterbrock gets. the call from Twins <

Tops local contingent on Day 2.

E11quirer staff reports

Area draftees

Three more University of CinAlist of players with Greater Cincincinnati players were selected Fri- nati connections selected Friday in th·e day in Major League Baseball's Major League Baseball draft: first-year player draft.

Round 7 (No. 216 overall) to Left-handed pitcher Dan Os- Minnesota: Dan Osterbrock, U. of Cin- · terbrock, a junior from Colerain. cinnati, Jr., LHPiColerain HS High School, was Round u (No. 330) to Chicago taken in the sevWhite Sox: Charlie Leesman, Xavier U., enth round by the Jr., LHP/Eider HS Minnesota Twins Round 13 (No. 401) to Chicago with the 216th Cubs: Tony Campana, U. of Cincinoverall pick. nati, Sr., OF/Springboro HS Osterbrock, who set a school Round 15 (No. 455) to St Louis: record with 2l caScott McGregor, U. of Memphis, J,r., reer victories, was Osterbrock RHP/Lakota East HS 9-2 this season Round 16'(No. 462) to Seattle: with a 3.55 ERA. Jake Shaffer, Northern Kentucky U., Tony Campana, a senior. from Jr., OF · Springboro High School, was takRound 20 (No. 599) to Cincinnati en by the Chicago Cubs in the · Reds:_ Tyler Stovall, Central Michigan 13th r·ound with the 401st overall U., Sr., OF/Moeller HS pick. " Round 29 (No. 869) to Cincinnati Campana hit .338 this spring Reds: Ben Hunter, Wake Forest U., and led the Big East in stolen bas- Sr., RHP/Moeller HS es with 44 in 55 attempts.

Round 31 (No. 923) to Tampa .

And third baseman Mike Spi-, Bay: Greg Williams, Sr., LHP, Moeller na, a junior from Newberry, Fla.,., HS was drafted by the Twins with the Round 38 (No. 1,147) to LA. 1,355th pick in the 45th round. He Dodgers: Tommy Nurre, Miami U., Jr., hit .377 with 21 homers and 79 lB/St Xavier HS · RBI. Round 39 (No. 1,i88) to Arizona: Second b_aseman J_osh Harri- Kyle Godfrey, Wabash Valley JC, Jr., son, from Pnnceton Htgh School, LHP./Gien Este HS ' was taken Thursday in the sixth Round 41 (No. 1,241) to Chicago round _by th_e .Cubs. .

Cubs: Jordan Petraitis, Miami U., Jr., Xavter pttcher C~arlie Lees- ss man was selec~ed m ~e llt!t Round 43 (No. 1,290) to Chicago round by the Chtcago Whtte Sox. . White Sox: Cory Fanis, Boone county Leesman, a 6-fo?t-4 left-bander, -HS, Sr., c ) t0 S ttl . ll?ade 13 s~s thts ~ea~on fo~ Xa- . Round (N vter as a JUmor, fimshmg wtth a . . 43 .0 • 1302 ' ea e.

2-6 record and ·a 5.32 ERA. M1ke Kindel, Spnngb~ro HS, Sr.,. OF He was drafted in the 40th Round 45 (No. 1,355) to Mlnneround out of high school in 2005 sota Twins: Mike Spina, U. of Cincinwhen he led Elder to a 28-1 record nati, Jr., 3B and astate Division I title as.·the . Round 47 (No.1,404) t6 Chicago Ohio Division I Player nf the White Sox: Danny Hayden, Xavier U., Year.

Sr. C/McNicholas HS "'

The Enquirer;Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller starting pitcher Greg Williams shut out St. Ignatius for the first three innings in Thursday's state semifinal.

I

Shot at state championship路 slips from .Moeller's grasp '

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By Frank O(Renna Enquirer contributor

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COLUMBUS - M~eller senior Patrick Curtill" never will forget the friendships he fonned while playing baseball for the perennial powerhouse.

Those close bonds were evident on Thursday following his team's dramatic 7-5loss to Cleveland St Ignatius in a Division I state semifinal game at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.

St. Ignatius will oppose Lakewood St Edward in t;he

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state championship game Saturday.

The Crusaders (25-7) appeared t~ be headed to their first state)inal game in baseball since 2004 after Curtin retired the first two batters he faced in the seventh inning, with his team clinging to a ~ lead.

St Ignatius lo路aded the bas:es, but MOeller again appeared ready to Jock up the win as Kirby Becker lofted a fly ball to shallow left field.

See MOELLER, Page CS

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in state baseball semi the third inning when Brent Suter doubled, .then scored on ~ wild But Moeller senior left fielder pitch and a throwing error.

Ross Oltorik mishandled the St. Ignatius struggled early chance, allowing two runs to score. against Moeller ace Greg Williams . . St. Ignatius added an insurance run but closed to within 4-1 in the fourth when Jesse Franklin scored on an inning and then pulled even with Oltorik wild pitch. three runs in the fifth. Ninth-p1ace Mike Konya earned the win in · batter Alex Johnson belted an RBI relief as he shut out the Crusaders triple, and Frank DeSico and Bryan over the final 2% innings. Right Conway added run-scoring singles. fielder Jesse Franklin's pretty slidCurtin, relieved Williams with ing catch on David Redwine's fly .two outs in the inning and pitched ball in the seventh inning ended the out of the jam .. game. .

A gritty Moeller team reclaimed Curtin was the hard-luck ·losing the lead with a run in the bottom Of pitcherfor Moeller. the inning. Suter singled with two "Ross has been my·best friend outsandlaterscoredonaMattRossince we were young," Curtin said. inski wild pitch.

"He's had my back; I've had his.

The Crusaders maintained that back. It's tough, but I'll keep him lead until the seventh when St. Igup; he'll keep me up." natius pulled off its d~isive rally.

Said Moeller coach Tim Held: "We thought we had it," Curtin "Ross had an outstanding career, said. "Stuff happens. This senior three years on the varsity pitching ·class has worked its tails off to get : and hitting. He is one of the top hit- here, and it's a heartbreaker, espeters career-wise and pitching-wise cially to lose a game that we probin Moeller history, and you don't let ably should have won. We'll rea thing like that overshadow what group; we're a tough senior class an outstanding career he had. and I'm sure everyone will have a "If he doesn't get big hit after big successful career in college." hit, hitting fourth in our lineup from Held, in his first year as Moeller his sophomore to his .senior year, coach, was grate:(ulfor the seniors. we're not where we're at." · "I thanked them ... for buying inMoeller jumped out to a 4-0 lead to my philosophy and wanting to be in the third inning against the a part of Moeller baseball and addstate's second-ranked team. ing to their legacy and their tradiCurtin hit an RBI triple in. the tion," he said. . first inning and scored on Oltorik's smg·le, and the Crusaders adde. d a Moeller--St.Jgnati11S--· 000 130 3 -7 9 2 211 (101 0 -5 7 2 run in the second when Curtin was WP-Konya (3 K's).lP. Ctirtln (3-2). Leaders: Sl· Conway 2 ·_hit by a pitc.h with th.e baSeS loaded.. lBs, RBI; Johnson 3B, RBI; Mackert2B, RBI. M·Suter 2B, lB, ~ 2 runs; Curtin 3B, RBI; Rieman 2B Records: 5128-B, M 25-7. , Moeller scored 1ts fourth run IIi 1

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From Page Cl

Crusaders rewrite '07 headline Top St. X in '08 regional

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller pitcher Greg Williams held aloft the newspaper article, then ripped it apart as Crusaders fans cheered from the grandstands.

Williams, after Moeller beat St Xavier 9-5 in a Division I regional semifinal baseball game Thursday at UC's Marge Schott Stadium, ceremonially shredded a copy of an Enquirer story from last May that detailed the Crusaders' loss to St X in the 2007 regional semis, when Moeller had been ranked No.1 in the state.

"We brought the paper from last year, so we could make sure it didn't happen again," Williams said.

-.¡ Williams, a senior left-

The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller's Greg Williams improved to 6-2 on the season in Thursday's victory.

bander and Moeller ace, went 6% innings Thursday to raise his record to 6-2.

See MOELLER, Page C4

C8 SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2008

HIGH I ~

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Insider

Nastold, Willi~ms

top local prospects It didn't gain much notice last June, but some of us certainly noticed.

In 2007, for the first time in. memory, there were no Greater C4lcinnati high school seniors selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.

This year, Moeller pitcher Greg Williams and Elder pitcher Mike Nastold eire considered by most scouts the top local senior prospects. Williams . (signed with,Marshall) and Nastold (Louisville) may be late-round candidates for this year's draft June 5-6, but each seems more likely to optfor college. · } The feeling among coaches Tom and scouts is that Q-oesc:hen Cincinnati is still a solid baseball town, but it may be taking ion· ger for some players to develop.

Tom Keefe, who scouts Greater Cincinnati for the Los Angeles Dodgers, said it has been a particularly banner year for area college teams. Those . teams feature many Greater Cincinnati high school products. "In my 15 years of scouting, this is the best local colle-, giate season I can remember," Keefe said.

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University of Cincinnati set a school record for wins, Xavier ·tied for its league title, Mount· St. Joseph and Thomas More both· won league titles,' and Northern Kentt)cky University won its conference tournament. .What· of our current higb school players? Cincinnati still wins state titles with regularity, most recently Lakota West as 2007 Division I state champion.

Yet, the area has not had a player drafted in the MLB first round since 1990, when Moeller product Adam Hyzdu went to the San Francisco Giants. · "I think it runs in.cycles," said Ken Gray, coach at Mason since 1975. "We've had plenty of good players, but unless they're offered the big money right · away, you see more guys going to college now."

This year, former New Richmond pitcher David Dwiean (Georgia Tech) is a probable high-round pick. Several other collegians with local ties are rated highly, including Jason· · Christian (Loveland/D. of Michigan), Eric Surkamp (Moeller/North Carolina State), Charlie Leesman (Elder/Xavier U.) , Josh Harrison (Princeton/D. of Cincinnati), .

Jeremy Hamilton (Princeton/ Wright State U.), Tony Campana (Spririgboro/U. of Cincin- . nati) and Dan Osterbrock (Colerain/D. of Cincinnati).

In the grand scheme, some believe one-sport specialization has wounded baseball not only in Cincinnati but around the nation. Kids who used to dream of being Willie Mays are now wearing LeBron James jersey~ or Tom Brady T~shirts ..

"For several reasons, the amount of athletes involved in baseball is not as extensive as it was in the past," Keefe. said. · Figures from MLB.com and the online Wikipedia encyclopedia show that, at the start of the ·2008 season, 22.1 percent of rnajor league baseball players were foreign-hom. · . Compare that to 1997, when 19 percent of MLB players were foreign-hom. Compare that to 1970, when only 10 percent of · MLB players were foreign- 1 born. Call it the globalization of baseball, but oldtimers call it something else. They lament the age of video games, with American kids parked in the basement playing Halo 3 instead of outside. playing baseball. .

Then you see a Kevin Youki' lis (Sycamore) with the Boston

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Rded So)x,wt '~thJ~nthsenCLel wi1san(AndIn.- ·1·· erson e eve dians, a Joe Smith. (Atrielia) with the New York Mets. All went to college instead of straight to the pros, and look at · ·· them now.

"I've been to see games in Florida and California," Ma-· · son's Gray said. "Top to bot~ tom, the quality of baseball in Southwest Ohio is still as good as anyplace in the country."

The players are still here, after all. We just might not know them all yet. ·

BASEBALL ALL-STARS .

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DIV. I PLAYER QF TRE YEAR.

· DIV. I COACH OF THE YEAR.

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Colt Cattani, Lakota East

Bill Dreisbach, Lakota West

. The senior was named first team allstate and was Greater Miami Conference playerofthe year~ He hit .475 with eight doubles, four triples, four home runs, 39 RBI and 13 steals.

· His team (26-2) was a state semifinalist, after losing much of the 2007 state title team to graduation. Dreisbach was D-1 state coach of the year and GMC 'coach of the year.

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DIVISION I FIRST TEAM Jimmy Brenneman, lakota West

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SELECTED BY ENQUIRER REPORTER TOM GROESCHEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AREA COACHES

Trevor Lothrop,. Sycamore The senior was All-Greater Miami Conference. He led the GMC in hitting (.?33) and doubles (12) and tied for the home run lead (eight). He also had 31 RBI.

John Renz, Milford The senior was Fort Ancient Valley Confer- · ence Buckeye player of the year. He batted .424 and led Milford in home runs (four), RBI (28) and steals (17).

Mike Basil, St. Xavier.

·James Pierson, Western Hills

The junior was se.cond team all-state and AllGreater Catholic League South. He hit .4 73 with six homers, 25 RBI and 14 steals. He was·2-0 (1.62 ERA) as a pitcher.

The senjor was Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference player of the year. He batteQ .525 with two liomers, 37 RBI and 19 stolen\ bases.

Bryan Beaver, Lakota West

Ryan Martin, Turpin

· The junior was named second .team allstate and All-Greater. Miami Conference. He hit .485 with one homer, 38 RBI and 10 steals and was 4-1 as a pitcher.

J.J. Ellis, Western Brown

The senior was named first team all-state and Fort Ancient Valley Conference Carctinal player of the year. He was 7-1 with an 0.94·ERA (91 K's in 60 innings). He also hit .361 with 28 RBI.

The senior was Southern Buckeye Conference; American player of the year. He batted .485 with seven doubles, two home rur:1s and 28 RBI.

Nathan Smith, lakota West

Aaron Walter, La Salle

The senior was named first team all-state . and All-Greater Miami Conference. He hit . .44 7 with six homers, 25 RBI and 30 stolen bases. . ·

The junior was named second team all- . · state and All-Greater Miami Conference.· He · was·ll-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 52 strikeouts (63 IP). He also hit .313.

The senior was All-Greater CatHolic League South. He was 5-1 with 0.91 ERA, With 36 strikeouts in 46 innings. His WHIP (walks/hits/ innings pi~ched) was 0.98.·

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Patrick Curtin, Moeller ·

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Eric ·Linneman, Elder

" The senior was Greater Catholic League .South player of the year. He batted .435 with a homer, 29 RBI and 18 steals. He also was 3-2 with 2.65 ERA and two saves. ·

The senior was All-Greater Catholic league South. He batted .402 and led Elder in runs (23), hits (33) and ~olen bases (17), with a. .484 on-base percentage. ' .

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~:Greg Williams, Moeller The senior was named honorable mention all-$te and All-Greater Catholic League South. He was 6-2 ·with a 2.49 ERA, two . saves and 63 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Bryan Apking, Mason The senior was All-Greater Miami Conference.

He htt .376 with six home runs, 28 RBI and eight stolen bases. f_l.s a pitcher, he was 2-0.

\~Ross Oftorik, Moeller

Casey' Henn, Colerain

The senior was Ali-Greater Catholic League South. He hit .368 with three home runs and 27 RBI. He also was 6-1 with a 2.36 ERA, with 55 strikeouts in 36 innings. ·

The senior was All-Greater Miami Conference._ Despite a 2-3 record, he was. regarded as one of the area's top pitchers (2.41 ERA, 48 K's in 32 innings).

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. )~ndy Lamping, St. Xavier ;•

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The senior was named first team all-state and All-Greater Catholic League South. He hit .384 with four home runs, 23 RBI and 12 stolen bases.

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· Alex Vice, Colerain The senior was named All-Greater Miami Con- .

• fererice. He was 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA and batted ·.380 with two home runs and 17 RBI.

Matt Marksbenj, Glen.Este · The junior was All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye. He was 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA, ,with 56. strikeouts in 46% innings.

Matt Malloy, Oak Hills· The junior was All-Greater Miami Conference. He tied for the GMC home run lead (eight) and was fifth in RBI (32), while hitttng .346. He also stole six bases.

Marcus Davis, Princeton The. sophomore was All-Greater Miami Conference. He led Princeton in hitting (.417), runs (35), hits (40), doubles (10) and ·tied for the stolen base lead (13),

DIV.I HONORABLE MENTION Amelia: Spene2r Cox, Garrett Hounshell, Brandon Dietrich, Zach Zieman; Anderson: Josh Jeffery, Daniel Rod, Ethan Arnold, Austlry Rexroat; COlerain: Nick Priessman, Chris Hundley•. Andrew McPheters; Edge\1E!Od: Josh Crout Justin Elder, Kyle Sigmon, Cole Ewen, Seth Martm; Elder. Drew Ernst, Zac Asman, NiCk Gramke, Johnny Groene, Mike Nastold, Mitchell Reilly; Glen Este: Randy Jones, Tyler Snoke. Brandon Fuller, Andrew Keller, Hamilton: Austin LeMaster, Andrew Ruecking; Harrison: Marcus KJJykendoll, Colton Gibson, Tyler Lane; Hughes: BJ. lowery: Kings: Cramer Dethy, John Shumar, lost. Wittes, Mike Cantrell, Zac Murphy; Lakota East: Brad Blyberg, Evin Dusold, Jeff Nilsen; Lakota West: Craig Gaud en, Rob Shaw, Ricky Finley; La Salle: Terrell Jones, Elliot Hebeler, Josh Hugentobler, Blake Lehmann, Jake Meister, Reid Rizzo; Lebanon: Josh Allen, Cameron Colbert, Bo Gray, Bert Wra~; loveland: Adam Engel, lucas Keller.Biehi,Josh Lay, Brian Sm~h; Mason: Destul Huff, Grant Lewis Josh Stolz; Milford: Kyle Amos,_ Robby Nesterotf,Jl}'Bn Troehler, Jesse Johnson, Matt Olson;•M~elliii:.Brent SuW;J.R. Reyrlolds, Ro~bySun'llennl!n;'Mount Healthy; Tony Weber, Sam Clerrents, Andrew Nichols; Northwest: Mitch Morgan, Cory Cook, Brad Dearinger, Oak Hilts: Joel Bender Kyle Bluestein, Jake Proctor; Princeton: Dorian West, Spencer Ware, Randy Weinel, BJ. Willis; St. Xavier. Tim lssler, Craig Rother, Billy Rurnpke, Pat Berning, Joroan An ley: Talawanda: Jos~ Hogg, John lynch, Todd Weiser, Noah Zipko; Turpin: Nate Fudala, Robbie lubanski, Pat Pol•neczky, Charlie Seiben; Walnut Hills: Antl10ny Howard, John Custer, Cameron Sloan; Western lllrown: Dalton Carson, Eric Jamison; Western Hills: Jordan Walker, Zach Nonnan; WJntcn Woods: A.1toine Sawyer, Brtan Tolliver; Withrow: Marcus Watson

TRACK ALL-STARS . I ' i ... · .

BOYS,... ATHLETE OF THE YEAR · ndler. Burden, La SaUe

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The junior repeats as Enquirer girls' .track c;1thlete of the year. · She was the top local individual · point scorer at the state meet, any class, with 16 points (sec- · om;! in the Div. II 100 dash at 12.39, second in the 200 dash at 25.20;)

His team was state runner-up in Division I, adding to his long list of ~ · Salle podium finishes in track and cross· country. The list includes a state track title (1994) and two state cross ·· · country titles (2005 and '06). .

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.. COACH.OFTHE YEAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. · Cat ·Humphries, McNicholas · Karl Kauffman, Walnut Hills .

COACH- OF THE YEAR Frank Russo, La SaUe -

-The"senior was state champion . inJhe,discus (187-6) and shot put .

(61-2'12). He set a Cincinnati-area record with a discus throw of 192-4 at the regional meet. · ·

.SELECTED BY ENQUIRER REPORTER TOM GROESCHEN ON . RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AR.EA COAC.HES .

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· Overall, the Walnut Hills girls broke one staterecord and tWo city records this season. His t~am tied for fifth at the Divi- ! sian I ~te meet and won two · state events.

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FIRST TEAM 1

DeVier Posey, La Salle The senior was Division I state champion in the 400 dash (47.41) and finished fourth in the 100 . (10.87) and fourth in the 200 (21.86) ..· - . '.

Rashod McClendon, Lakota West.

The senior was part of the area's · -top state tournament showiQgs in the 400 relay (fifth in D-1, 42.32) and 800 relay (fourth, 1:27.51).

~ch Wills,· Mason _.

The freshman was D-1 state· champ in the 3,200 run (9:15.34) and was on the eighth-piace ~3.200 relay team that had the· area·~ l;lest time at state (7:57:82)~

The senior was part of the area's. top state tournament showings in ~ the 400 relay (fifth in D-1, 42.32) and 800 relay (fourth, 1:27.51).. ·

John Greenlee, St. Xavier ·

David Brown, Lakota WeSt

The junior finished second in the . Division_! state pole-vault (15-0); · · the top finish among'iocal vaulters.

The junior finished sixth in the state 800 run (1:55.54), the area's top time at State. ·He also was part of the D-Ill state champ 3,2q9. relay team'(7:57.99). ·

Kyle Neyer, CHCA .

The Senior was part.of the Divi-. sian Ill state championship 3,200 · relay team (7:57.99).

(Nitk•Willi'ams,,CHCA..,.;,• The senior was part of the Division Ill state championship 3,200 relay team (7:57.99). He also finished third in the D-Ill state 100 · d_ash (11.41).

Bakari Bussey, Lakota West'.

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Kelly Thomas,' Walnut Hills

. Joe .Booker, Winton Woods .

-The senior was part of theDivi- · sian I state seventh-place team in the 1,600 relay, which had the · area's top state tournament time· (3:19.42). .

Amanda Roden, . , Cincinnati Christian : · I

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.. The senior was part of the .

Division I state champion . 3,200 relay team (9:21.44)~

Juan Glover, Winton Woods -

· Jenna H,aton,' St. Ursula· ThP <:Pninr w;~<:

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The freshman had the .top.:., &DO-meter p~rfo~ance ·.i :· (2:17.57) among local girlszat · -~estate meet,'finishing sixth: in Division Ill. .· . " . :

.Fabia- Mcl)onald, Middletown -·

• Kelly Johnston, ,St. Ursula

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, The 'junior had the top 400-: · meter perforrilance (55.51). ; among'loc_ar gins· at the state ; meet, finishing fifth in D-1.

Ashley Liverpool, .Walnut Hills .'

The sophomore was part of the' D-1 state champion sao· ff · relay (1:38.60) and 1,600 re- ·~ lay (3:45.89), which set area and state records, ·respectjvely. ·

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Dayeesha Hollins, Winton Woods

' The senior' was part ofthe · , D-1 state champion 800 relay .

(1;38.60) and 1,600 relay j . ,(3:45.89), which set.area and 'l state records, respectively.

The senior was part of the area's , top state tournament showings in the400·reiay (fifth in Division I, 42.32) and 800 relay (fourth, 1:27.51).

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The' senior had the top 100. meter dash perfonnance. (12.32) among local girls at the state meet, finishing-fifth in r · Division I. She also was on the ' fifth~place 400 relay team · (48;33).

:· ',The senior was part of-the D"l state champion 800 relay · (1:38.60) ahd 1,600 relay .(3:45.89), which set area and ··$tate ~ecords, respectively.

Dwight PhilliPs, Lakota WeSt

;\rlll'l'c:.·tnn c:.tl'!tP tiuJml'lmPnt timP

bierra Riley, , · Middletown .·

·Landi Wilson, . Walnut Hills

·The senior was part of the area's top state tournament $howings in the 400 relay (fifth in Division I, ' 42.32) and 800 relay (fourth, .

1:27.51).

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The sophomore w~s part ofthe Division I sta'te seventh"place team in the 1,600 relay, Which had the

Ti)e senior finished fourth in the Division I state discus..

• (132-5); the·top perfonnance among local girls at the state meet

The sophomore was part of . the D-1 state champion BOO . · relay (1:38.60) and 1,600 relay (3:45.89), which ~t area and -state recards, respectively.·

David Curtin, CHCA D~m

Lindsey Os5iiJI, Mason

Shauniece Steele, Walnut Hills

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1 ' sixth in the Division 1state high · / jump (5-6), the top perfonn- ; · 1 ance among local girls at thel · ·state meet ~ ·

Jalisha Jarmon, . ..Hughes · · ··.

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Fire~~ds,

Crusaders ,fall short In semifinal; West finally runs out of comebacks

By Tom Groesc:hen

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back up here again. The kids handled the target on their · backs very well."

COWMBUS- It was a· Unranked St Edward great run, but Lakota West fi- (24-6) advances to the state tinally ran out of magic. tle game against .archrival The Firebirds, who con- Cleveland St. Ignatius (28-5) jured numerous late-inning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cooper rallies to win games this sea- Stadium. St Ignatius is rankson, couldn't muster another ed No. 2 in the state coaches' and lost 6-3 to Lakewood · poll.

St Edward in a Division I St Ignatius beat Moeller state Semifinal game Thurs- 7-5 in Thursday's first Dividay night at Cooper Sfadium. sion I semifinal game. . Lakota West (26-2) y.ras tryLakota West was ranked ing to become the :first Cincin- No.1 in the state coaches' poll · nati baseball program to re- ·and No. 6 in the USA Today peat as state champion since national ratings.

Elder won three Consecutive St Ed roach Danny Allie big-school titles from 1958-60. said he was coaching with a "I just told the kids how team in Florida that was rated .proud I am of them," West No.1 in the nation in 1991, but coach Bill Dreisbach said, as said that team did not win its his team sat quietly outside its own state title. . dugout "I've' been there, and I "We had a lot of :firsts this knowwhatifslike," Allie said, year," Dreisbach said. "City referring to higher-rated ~poll champs, state poll , Westlosing. champs. I doubt if too many -----people expected us to get See WEST, Page CS tgroeschen@enquirer.com

ConnectWestehester.com To start or join a discussion about this story, get the latest sports · headlines or post your own, go online to connectWestChester.com

The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

MoeUer starting pitcher Greg Williams shut out St. Ignatius for the first three innings in Thursday's st!)te semifinal.

Shot at state· championship slips from Moeller's grasp ~By

Frank DiRenna

Enquirer contributar

COLUMBUS - Moeller senior Patrick Curtin .never will forget the friendships he formed while playing baseball fortheperennialpowerhouse.

Those close bonds were evident on Thursday following his team's dramatic 7-51oss to Cleveland St. Ignatius in a Division I state semifinal game at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.

St Ignatius will oppose Lakewood St Edward in the

state championship game Saturday.

The Crusaders (25-7) ap· peared to be headed to their first state final game in baseball since 2004 after Curtin reotired the first two batters he · faced in the seventh inning, with his team clinging to a 5-4 lead. · St Ignatius loaded the bases, but Moeller again appeared ready to lock up the win as Kirby Becker lofted a fly ball to shallow left field. · See MOELLER, Page CS

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The Enquirer/ Joseph fuqua II

Lakota West's Bryan Beaver celebrates after scoring on a hit by Craig Gauden in the third inning:.

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West: Firebirds fall

6-3 to St. ·Edward From PageCl

Nathan Smith.

Smith broughtan 11-0 season re"You get this far, anythirig can c;ord into the game . · happen in baseball,'' Allie saiQ. In the end, Dreisbach lamented West senior third baseman some missed opportunities early~ Craig Gauden, ·also a starter on the West stranded! five baserunners 2007 state champions, said it hurts over the first three innings. not to repeat At the same time, "I think that came back t<1 haunt Gauden said West can be proud. us," Dreisbach said.

"It's hard to get to the Final Four St. Ed winning. pitcher Kevin two years in a row," Gauden said. lesjak (8-0), a senior left-bander, "We lost 11 seniors from last year, went five innipgs. and nobody in their right mind Stetson Allie, a hard-tlrowing would have given us a chance to get sophomore right-hander and son of back up here. (St. Ed) was just bet- • the coach, finished it off for St. Ed. ter than u;;; tonight" Allie, who started at shortstop West jwnped ahead 1-0. Leadoff and also hit two doubles, came in to man Jimmy Brenneman lined a sin- throw serious heat as a relief pitchgle to cenlter and later scored on an er. The 6-foot-3 Allie struck out five RBI single by Nick Murtland. n two innings to get the save.

After falling behind 2-1, West "I haven't seen a high school kid went back ahead 3-2 in the third in- throw that hard in a long time," ning on a single by Ricky Finley, Dreisbach said.

RBI triple by Bryan Beaver, then ruu Radar guns reportedly had Allie RBI single by Gauden. in the mid-90 mph r.lnge.

St. Ed tied it 3-3 in the third.

Then, the Eagles went up 6-3 ::_~~ost--·-·-:-·::--~ ~~ ~! ~ with three nms in the fifth inning, 1!\'P- Lesja'< (8-Q, 6 K"s); SV- ADie (5 ~'s). lP- Smtih Leaders: LW- Beaver 38, Rti;Mur1lan: RBI; including an RBI double by Brian (11-1). t;auden Rll; LSE- EmbrQgno 2-4; ~Iii• 2-3, 2 ?B; Boland 2-3, 28, RBI; Mafl!Uard 2-2, 2 38 2 RBI. Reoords: l\'1 Boland and RBI triple by Vmce 26-2, LSE2:14-6. .

Marquard, chasing West pitcher

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In state baseball semi From Page Cl

lhe third inning when Brent Suter doubled, then scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

• St. Ignatius struggled early against Moeller ace Greg Williams but closed to Vloithin 4-1 in the fourth inning and then pulled even with three runs in the fifth. Ninth-place batter Alex Johnson belted an RBI triple, and Frank DeSico and Bryan Conway added run-scoring singles.

Curtin relieved Williams with two outs in the inning and pitched out of the jam.

A gritty Moeller team reclaimed the lead with a run in !the bottom of the inning. Suter singled with two outs and later scored on a Matt Rosin ski wild pitch.

The Crusaders maintained that 1ead until the seventh when St.Ignatius pulled off its decisive rally.

"We thought we had it." Curtin said. "Stuff happens. This senior class has worked its tails off to get here, and it's a heartbreaker, espe· dally to lose a game that we probably should have won. We11 regroup; we're a tough seriior class and I'm sure everyone wil have a successful career in college."· Held, in his first year as Moeller coach, was grateful for the seniors.

"I thanked them .... for buying into my philosophy and wanting to be a par1 of Moe!ler baseball and adding to their legacy and their tradi~ tion," he said.

But Moeller senior left fielder Ross OUorik mishandled the chance, allowing two runs to score.

St. Ignatius added an insurance nm when Jesse Franklin scored on an Oltorik wild pitch.

Mike Konya earned the win in relief as he shut out the Crusaders over the final ·2~ innings. Right fielder J~se Franklin's pretty sliding catch on David Redwine's fly ball in the seventh inning ended the . game.

Curtin was the hard-luck losing pitcher for Moeller.

"Ross has been my best fiiend since we were young," Curtin said.

"He's had my bact{; I've had lis back. It's tough, but I'll keep him up; he'll keep me up."

Said Moeller coach Ttm Held: "Ross ha.<l an outstanding career, three years on .the varsity pitching and hitting. He is one of the top hitters career-wise and pitching-wise inMoellerhistory,andyoudon'tlet a thing like that overshadow what an outstanding career he had.

"If he doesn't get big hit after big hit, hitting fourth in our lineup from. his sophomore to his senior year, we're not where we're at." .

Moeller jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fuird inning against the state's second-ranked team.

Curtin hit an RBI triple in the first inning and scored on Oltorik's single, and the Crusaders added a :.!:~.::-..:: ~ ~ ~. ~ ~ run in the second when Curtin was WP-KDI1}'11 (3 K's). lP- CUrtin {3-2). LeadeiS: Sl·- Conway1 .

- hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. ~8~-n~~~!~hn1~~ ~:i:~~!~c~~~R:;,:,-~2~~~5~~: ~ Moeller scored its fourth run in

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Big-school teams se~k 1st aiJ.-area fmal·since '03

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer. com

The best teams don't always get to the state baseball toum&ment, but that is how it turned out for three Cincinnati-area powers this season.

Reigning state· champion lakota West (Division I), preseason Enquirer No.1-ranked Moeller (Division I) and preseason Enquirer small-schopls · favorite Badin (Division III) will play in the state semifinals beginning today at Cooper Stadium ih Columbus.

"Any time you begin a sea-

~on, you hope for great results like this," lakota West coach Bill Dreisbach said. "You never really know until you get the ball rolling." lakota West (261), ranked No. 1 in the Division I state coaches' poll, will face unranked lakewood St Edward (23-6) in a semifinal game at 7 p.m. today. West seeks to become the first local school to win consecutive state baseball titles since Elder won three straight from 1958-60.

Moeller (2~). ranked No.7 in the Division I state coaches' poll, will play No. 2-

State baseball tournament · At Cooper Stadium, Columbus Today's Division I semifinals Moeller (25-6) vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius (27-5), 4 p.m. . Lakewood St. Edward (23-6-1) vs. Lakota West (26-1), 7 p.m.

Friday's Division Ill semifinals . Badin (25-6) vs. Wheelersburg (28-1), 10 a.m.

Canton Central Catholic (28-3) vs. Coldwater (27-4), ·1 p.m.

ranked Cleveland St Ignatius final game ~t 10 am. Friday.

(27-5) in the first semifinal at , Moeller coach Tun Held ·4 p.m. today. this season replaced Mike In Division ill, Badin (2~). Cameron, who retired after 39 ranked No. 13 in the state ·seasons and four state titles. coaches' poll, will face No. 3 Moeller last won a state title in Wheelersburg (29-1) in a semi- 2004 and is making its sixth

state appearance.

"When you look back and realize this is only the sixth time Moeller has been to the final four, ifs pretty special," ·'Held said. · Badin, the Enquirer Divisions II-N. poll champion, is making the program's eighth state appearance, including championships in 1991 and '96.

The Rams last appeared at state in 2005, with a Division II runner-up finish.

"Everybody has been con· tributing," Badin coach Rick . Kunkel said. "Ifs been different guys in different games."

If Badin wins Friday, the Rams will play in the state final at 4 p.m. Saturday against either Coldwater (27-4) or Canton Central Catholic (28-3). .In Division I, a possible Lakota West-Moeller title game would lrappen at 1 p.m. saturday. It could be the first all-Cincinnati area baseball final since 2003, when St. Xavier beat Milford 4-3 for the Division I title.

With a surplus of Division I schools in Cincinnati, one local school annually plays through the Columbus regional. This · year, lakota West was that team.

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The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

Senior center fielder Jimmy Brenneman is one of only three returnees from West's starting eight last season. He's batting -456 with a team-high 48 runs and has a 1.000 fielding perc~ntage.

Reloaded West near repeat of state title Baseball feat rare for local teams

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@e~rquirer.com

Lakota West this weekend coulddosomethingthatnoCincinriati-area high school' baseball team has accomplished in nearly 50 years. . b' ·d d N 10 The FIre ll S, rate 0. nationally by USA Today, stand two games fr9m their second consecutive Ohio Division I state baseball championship. The last Cincinnatiarea school to win at least two con· secutive ·state baseball titles was Elder, which won three straight from 1958-60.

"Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make some history, and we're almost there," said Craig Gauden, a Lakota West senior third baseman/P,tcher. "We believe the pressure is on the other: teams, not us."

Lakota West (26-1), ranked No. 1 in the state coaches' poll, will face unranked Lakewood St ·Edward (23-6-1) in the state semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cooper Stadium in Columbus. The winner· advances to Saturday's 1p.m. state final against .the other semifinal winner, No. 7-ranked Moeller (25-6) or No. 2-ranked Cleveland St Ignatius (27-5).

Lakota West returned only three regulars from last year's starting eight Gauden, senior center :fielder flllwy Brenneman and junior infielder/pitcher Bryan Beaver:. But West's team'batting averagehasgoneup33pointsfromlast season -from .337 to .370.

West's returning pitchers include junior Beaver (4-1 this year)

ing average in center field and made a spectacular diving catch Lakota West is trying to become the that snuffed a Gahanna lincoln ralfirst Cincinnati-area school to rely in the sixth inning in the regional :final. Brenneman slanwed mto peat as an Ohio baseball state the wall after making the catch. champion since Elder won three "He just produces like crazy," straight titles from 1958-60. Local Dreisbach said. 'That catch he state baseball title repeaters: made the other day, that will forev• Elder 1955-56, Class A" erbelmownatLakotaWestasThe • Elder 1958-60, Class AA" Catch. Ifhedoesn'tcatch it, atleast two runs score and we're down 13•from 1928 56, Class A was the big-school class. From 1.957-70, Class AA was the ll going into the seventh." big-school csss. From 1971-90, Class AAA was Brenneman said it's all .part of . the big-school class. Since 1991, Division I has been the bis-school divi~ion. the job.

"We just want to win," BrenneNOTE: Elder (1955-56, 58-60) and man said. "We always seem to :find Canton Glen Oak (95-96) are the • a'way. This team has such confionly schools to repeatas bigdence now, we expect to win every school state baseball champions. game.''

Other team leaders include and junior Natl1an Smith (11-D. 2.15 Beaver, who tops the club in batERA). Beaver pitched West's 4--0 ting (.484) and RBI (37); and Gaustate championship victory over den, hitting .432 with 26 RBI. Mentor last year, and Smith has Gaud en also serves as the pitchemerged as team ace this season. ing closer and has a 3-0 recoi-d, West coach Bill Dreisbach lost eight saves and a 3.00 ERA Senior some big stars from '07, including 1Yler Vaske has become the·No. 2 all-state shortstop Brad Gschwind starting pitcher behind Smith, with and ace pitcher Collin Taylor. But a 5-0 record and 2.94 ERA he said this year's team canied the Several- newcomers to the Firemomentuin from last season. birds' lineup also have produced "\Vith the core guys that came consistently, mcluding Rob Shaw back and the N m,~ys that have (.430 batting average), Jacob May stepped up and had big years, (.370), Nick Murtland (.339) and we've had great results," Dreis- Ricky Fmley (.338). bach said.

The most recent Ohio school to Wesl is 36-1 dating to May 2007, repeat as the big-school ~ampion losing to only Colerain this season. was Canton GlenOak in 1995-96.

The Ftrebirds have mounted sev- Ohio's most recent baseball reeral late rallies to win games, in- peater at any level is Newark Cathcluding a five-run seventh inning olic in Division IV from 2002-04. to beat Gahanna lincoln 16-ll.in a "It would. be quite an honor to · regional :final last weekend. . ·repeat, but we're really not looking ·The dtaiyst often is Brenne- past the St Edward game," Dreisbach said. "I am extremely proud man, the leadoff hitter.

Brenneman is second on the of this team for getting back to the team in hitting (.456) and leads the state tournament They have hanclub in runs (4SJ, home runs-(six)- dled the target on their backs very andsteals (29):He hasalOOOfield· well this year."

Repeat winners

High school baseball '-AJ-og. .

Moeller mighty in Held's 1st season '

·New coach making a winning· debut~ ·

By Mark Schmetzer Enquirer contributor

, In at least one way, Tim Held reminds some people of Sparky Anderson.· "Sparky Who," as Anderson was called in a headline upon his hiring, led the Reds to the National League championship in 1970, his first season as their manager.

Held, in his first season as Moeller's baseball coach, has guided the Crusaders to the. Division I state semifinals, where they're scheduled to meet Cleveland St Ignatius at 4 p.m. Thursday at Cooper Stadium in Columbus. ·.

The first-year Crusaders coach,. who spent 11 seasons as an assist:allt under Mike Cameron, chuckles at the comparison. · "I don't· know about that" he said. · ' 'Tim's done an unbelievable job;" said Cameron, who retired last year after a 39-year career. He said he's seen 10 or 11 of Moeller's games, including all of the Crusaders' tournament games. · 'They find a Way to win," Cameron said. "It's just doing the little things. They're very.aggressive on the bases, and they take advantage of whatever opponents give them. If the other team makes an· error, · they capitalize on it." . SinceAnderson'sfirstRedsteam went on to lose the 1970 World Series to Biutimore, Held probably would prefer a comparison to Lou Piniella, who had a couple of years of managerial experience under his belt before guiding the Reds to the· 1990 World Series championship in his first season in Cincinnati. .

The Moeller-St. Ignatius winner is scheduled to face the winner of Thursday's 7 p.m. ganie between . defending state champion Lakota West (26-1), which is ranked No.1 in Division I in both the Enquirer area coaches' poll and the state poll, and Lakewood St. Edward (23-6-1) in the· state championship game at 1 n.m. Saturdav at CoonPr Stani-

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_Moeuer ~Z!Xi), wntcll tuusned _ No. 3intheEnquirerpolland.No. 7 1 in the state poll, tak.es a seven-game , winning· streak .into the· game against St. lgiJatius (27-5), the state's second·ninked team. . ' · "We've been getting good pitch· ing, which we knew we would all year, and our hitters have stepped up," Held said.'"As I've been telling ' people all year, we had to replace all eight p'osition players, and every . : game we play, our hitters are get- ' ting more experience." . . · Cameron, who didn't reach the state semifinals for the first time un· · til his fourth season as Moeller's ' coach, sees many resemblances between ibis year's team and his 1972 team that won the first of Moeller's four state baseball cham· pion ships.

"I even told the kids that this ; year," Cameron said. "Our '07 team , finished No. 1 in the state and went · 27-4. We had a great year. Legitimately, we 'had a great shot at winning state: We had a senior-dominated team. A lot of juniors didn't get to play a whole lot, except for some pitchers.

'The '71 team was the same way.

That team had a_lot of juniors whp didn't get a chance to play. That '72 team kind of had a chip on its shoulder. They got rio respect. They were picked to finish last in the· league. r didn't even know' how . good they'd be, and we ended up winning the ·school's first state· 'J chan1pionship." j Senior left-bander Greg W!l- ·• Iiams (~2) will start Thursday for j Moeller, Held said. He is one of 15 seniors on the Crusaders' roster looking at their last'chance at a winning a· state title.

"We're really excited about this chance in front of us, but' we're. humbled at the same time at the experience coming up," senior pitcher/outfielder Ross Oltorik said.

'We know we have to stick together. We know this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

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I .o·IVISIOn · · 1state · baseball tournament •

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I

At Cooper Stadium, Columbus Thursday's semifinals Moeller (25-6) vs. Cleveland St Ignatius (?J-5), 4 p.m. 1 • Lakewood St Edward (23-6-1) vs .

• Lakota West (26-1), 7 p.m.

Saturday's championship Sef!lifinal winn~rs. 1 p.m.

Division I baseball regional final

Lakota West ousts Gahanna Lincoln 16-11

By Frank DiRenna Enquirer cont:ibutor

DUBLIN, Ohio- Lakota West baseball coach Bill D-' reisbach realizes his team has played with a huge target on . its back since the season began in March. , The Firebirds cleared a major obstacle Friday as they , turned back Gahanna lincoln 16-ll in a Division I regional'~ final at Dublin Coffman High School. · . .'· The defending state champions advance to the final four .. at Cooper Stadium in Columbus. West (26-1) will open state . tourney play against Lakewood St. Edward (22-6-1) af, 7 p.m. Thursday.

"I feel like we've gone through this whole season with a~. target on ow back,:' said Dreisbach, a 1988 graduate of Gahanna. "We talked about that coming into the season about .. how big .that target is on our back. I think the guys have handled that very well. We've played our game and played . hard, and we've gotten some good results. I hope that we · can keep it going. Columbus is going to be tough like it should be. The tournament is going to be very tough."

If the Frrebirds can repeat, they will realize the road to the title went through Gahanna. · We~tjumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, high- .. lighted by two-run singles from Nick Murtland and Craig .

Gauden. · A scrappy Gahanna team (21-10) quickly bounced back in the bottom of the inning, scoring seven times to take a 7-4 lead. West starting pitcher Tyler Vaske 'failed to record an out and, after facing seven batters, was relieved by Gauden.

The key hit was Joey Tomko's three-run inside-the-park home run to center :field. Tomko raced around the bases after West center fielder Jimmy Brenneman crashed into the fence and fell to the ground. Brenneman would remilln in the game and contribute later to the comeback win.

Gauden, the team's closer, turned in a stellar effort in keeping the Lions at bay for most of the game. .

"I normally only pitch two innings, but today I knew I · would be pitching a lot," Gauden said. "I was trying to get to '. the sixth and seventh inning. I knew I had Bryan (Beaver) , and Nathan (Smith) behind me. It kind of went in reverse today. · . · "I'll do anYthing for this team; I love them to death. , I've been with them every day." ' The Firebirds pulled even at 7-7 with three runs in the second inning. Brenneman led off with a home run· and Gauden helped his cause with· · . his second two-run single. , West jumped in front 10-7 with three · runs.in the third. After blanking Gahan-.., na for four-plus innings, Gauden al-' · lowed four runs in the sixth to force an ll-ll deadlock.

• •.

West took command for good;:· scoring five times in the seventh to · seal a spot in the final four. Murt- ~· land again had a key hit, a bases-. r: loaded, two-out, two-run single to : center. ~ .; Gaud en followed with a tworun double to push the lead to 15-11.

IJikota West··-· 433 010

-16 17 1

GahanBa .......... 700 004 -11 11 2 WP-Smith (1HJ, 4K's).lP~B. Bokor(1·3). Leaders:· LW ~ Gauden2!Bs, 28, 6 RBI: Brenneman 2!Bs, HR: Murtland 2 !Bs, 4 RBI; Gauden: Finley 3B, lB. G Tomko HR, 2B. 3 RBI; Laurent 2B, lB; DeFranco 2 !Bs; Moss IB, 2 RBI. Records: LW 26·1, G21·10.

State boys' tennis

Tournament's start is 'strong for local players

By Jarrod Ulrey Enquirer contributor

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COLUMBUS -Most everyone in attendance from • · the Cincinnati area left the first day of state boys' tennis . ' competition happy. .Of the six local individual players and six doubles . teams c·ompetirig Friday in the first two rounds at Ohio · ' State's Stickney Center, all but two singles players and : two doubles teams moved on to today's semifinals.

I One of the losers was a surprise, as Middletown's i - doubles team of Michael Cole and Patrick Hamning- · the defending Division I state champions- was ousted

by Watterson's team of Philip Diaz and Chris Diaz 6-3, '1 3-6, 6-2 in the second round. · : Turpin's Will Knoll and Sam Wilke will face St. Xavi~ · er's Marc Pretorius and Jonathan Gaffney in one Divi- 1• sion I doubles semifinal. · · The Turpin duo defeated Hudson'sAlexHughes and : Matt McErlean 3-6,7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in their second match ' of the day, coming back after being down a break and : trailing 6-5 in the second by breaking serve to force the I tiebreaker. .· J ."It was probably the biggest match of my life," Wilke } srud. · • Oak Hills' Chris }\eck will face New Albany's Peter~ Kobelt and Lakota West's Wyatt Uppertwill meet Shak- , er Heights' Tommy Marx in Division I singles semi:fi-. f nals.

1 · "It feels good to fin~ll.y make it here as a senior," t Keck said. "I expected to win in the first round, but get- i ting to the semis, I wasn't expecting it." ; In Division II, Indian Hill's Devin McCarthy and t CCD'sJoey Fritz. both advanced to semifinals. ( McCarthy meets Columbus Wellington's Ian Wag-~ ner and Fritz will play Columbus Academy's Will Petrie ~ in semifinals. r· "Last year I lost to Petrie in a quarterfinal, so every: ~; step further I make feels great," Fritz said. ( In Division II doubles, Indian Hill'.s Billy Strunk and t: Omar Salama will face Canton Central Catholic's Jon ;' Esbei: and Colin Bernier, and Seven Hills' Sam Laber ~ and MattTesmond will meet Beachwood's Mark Gold- ~· berg and Grant Aronson in semifinals. c

High school! base~alll Division I regional final 1"!,

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The Enquirer/ Jeff Swinger

· Moeller players converge on Ross Oltorik (center, with arm raised) after he clinched their victory·by pitchi~g a scoreless eighth inning.

A 'state' ·of celebratiori Crusaders return to Final Four 'with 9-6 eight-inning' victory over · Lakota East

By Tom Groeschen .tgroeschen@enquirer. com

The new guy has done pretty well for Moeller.

First-year coach Tun Held and the Crusaders beat unde~~og lakota East 9-6 in eight innings i'riday in a Division I regional baseball final at UC's Marge Schott Stadium.

Moeller advances to the program's first state tournament appearance since 2004, when the Crusaders won the championship.

•

Held this year replaced legendary Moeller coach Mike Cameron, whore; tired after 39 seasons and four state ti: ties (1972, '89, '93, 2004). Moeller also made a state appearance in 2000. · 'The people at Moeller have all been so supportive," Held said after getting the customary postgame water-bucket dousing. 'This is only the sixth time Moeller has gotten to the state finals, and to do· it following Coach Cameron means a lot" . See MOELLER, Page C4

~, lnside/C4 . • Lakota West earns Division I state baseball berth by beating Gahanna Lincoln 16-11.

• Badin advances to the Division Ill state baseball touma. ment with 4-3 win over Heath.

• Four area singles players and four doubles teams move on to boys' tennis state semis.

• Relay error mars Withrow girls' regional track showing.

C4 SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008

HIGH SCHOOLS

Moeller: -~

Returns to state tourney ,

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From PageCl Held was a Moeller assistant coach the p'ast 11 years.

Moeller (25-6) will face Cleveland St. Ignatius (27-5) in the state semifinals at 4 p.m: Thursday at Cooper Stadium in Columbus.

The Crusaders nearly didn't get there, facing a feisty Lakota East team (18-12) that began the season unranked in the Enquirer area coaches' poll. East was making the program's first regional appearance. ''We've got a bunch of tough kids who played their Hearts out," East coach Ray Hamilton said. "It's disappointing to lose, but hopefully this lays the groundwork for·' future teams."

Moeller led 3-1 entering the fifth inning, but East went up 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Colt Cattani gave the Thunderhawks a 4-3lead with a two-run double.

The Crusaders answered with a two-run Brent Suter single to go up 6-5 entering the bottom of the seventh.

East then tied it at 6 on aWes Smith RBI grounder, forcing extra innings.

Moeller's Keith Rieman sent the Crusaders ahead 7-6with an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Robby Sunderman hit a two-run single to make it 9-6. .

"We didn't take them lightly at all," Rieman said. ''We were ready for a bat,c.tle."

Relief pitcher Ross Oltorik ((>-1), who worked two innings, tl1rewa scoreless eighth to nail it down. He and several other Crusaders happily threw their gloves sky-high after the final out.

Moeller was the preseason No. 1 in the Enquirer ·poll, even though the Crusaders had graduated all eight posi- · tion players from 2007. · Oltorik, a senior outfielder/pitcher, said the team bought into Held's coaching style right ·away. .

'1 feel great for him," Oltorik said. 'There was a lot on him. He gets you to play relaxed." _Moeller was ranked No.7 in the latest coaches' state poll. The Crusaders' next opponent, St.Ignatius, is ranked No. 2.

"We knew East would be tough, because in the Elite Eight'everyone is playing their best baseball," Held said. ''We feel very fortunate to get this far."

Moeller--- 110

101

23

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Lakota East-- 100 040 10 -6 7 2 WP - Oltorik (6-1). LP - Nilsen (4-3). Leaders: M Sunde11nan 4-5,2 RBI: Suter3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Clsper2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Grau RBI; Rieman RBI; L£- Riley RBI; cattani 3-4, 3B, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Nilsen 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Smith RBI; OuS<lld 2B. Reconls: M 25-6, L£ 1B-12.

The Enquirer/ Jeff S~inger

Moeller's Brent Suter slides past Lakota East's Brent

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Schmidt for a fourth-in-----------------. ning run. Suter ~ -------was 3-for-4.

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Crusaders: rewrite '07 headline Top St. Xin '08 regional semis 5-Jo ... ns. 路

By Tom Groeschen

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~< ~

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller pitcher Greg WilIiams held aloft the newspaper article, then ripped it apart as Crusaders fans cheered from the grandstands.

Williams, after Moeller beat St Xavier 9-5 in a Division I regional semifinal baseball game Thursday at UC's 'Marge Schott Stadium, ceremonially shredded a copy of an Enquirer story from last May that detailed the Crusaders' loss to St X in the 2007 regional semis, when Moeller had been ranked No. 1in the state.

"We brought the paper from last year, so we could make sure it didn't happen again," Williams said.

Williams, a senior left-

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The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua H

Moeller's Greg Williams improved to 6-2 on the season in Thursday's victory.

bander and Moeller ace, went 6% innings Thursday to raise his record to 6-2.

See MOELLER, Page C4

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' The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller's Pat Curtin singles to center field in the first inning Thursday against St. Xavier in the Division I regional semifinals. The Crusaders rolled to a 9-5 victory.

Moeller: Holds off St. X From PageCl

· Pat Curtin got the final out, as · he stranded two St X runners.

The Crusaders (24-6) will face Lakota East (18-11) in the regional final at 2 p.m. today at UC. The winner goes· to the state tournament next week, with Moeller seeking its first state appearance since winning the 2004 title.

Moeller took a 6-0 lead with a six-ruri third inning against St. X ace Richie Ollier (6-1), as the Crusaders were led by two-run simgles from Brent Suter and Brent Cis per. Cisper had three hits and.three RBI overall.

The Crusaders had 13 hits and helid on as St Xavier had 13 hits of its own. ' · Moeller coach Tim Held said his \earn is finding its stride again at tournament time.

"St. X is the best hitting team we've faced, and I didn't think this

"St. X is the best hitting team we've faced, and I didn't ,think this game would ever end. " Meeler coach Ton Held

game would ever end," Held said.

"Our kids are just really playing with confidence right riow."

Moeller swept its two Greater Catholic League South regularseason meetings with St Xavier, 6-4 and 12-7. .

"I don't think they had better hitting than us, but they had more pitching depth," St. Xavier coach Bill Slinger said. "I really compliment our kids on never saying die, but (Williams) is one of the best the GCL has to offer."

Williams, signed with Marshall

for next season, is also considered a prospect for the Major League Baseball draft June !}.6. Williams struck out six Thursday.

"I thought he threw the ball as well as he has all year," Moeller senior catcher J.R Reynolds said.

"They're just a good hitting team, but Greg had enough to get the job done."

Reynolds also had two hits and two RBI. Moeller was the preseason No. 1 team in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and St X was ranked No. 4. At the close of the regular season, Moeller and St X were ranked Nos. 3-4, respectively, in the poll behind Lakota West (still alive in the tournament) and Elder (eliminated). . st.Xavier-.• 000 201 2 -5 13 2 Moeller-- 006 003 -t 13 0 WP- Williams (6-2, 6 K's). lP- Oilier (6-1). Leaders: SXBasil 2-3; Lamping 2B; Rother 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Hollstegge 3-4, 2 RBI; Rnley RBI; M- Reynolds 2-4,2 RBI; Sunderman 2-2; Suter 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI; Cisper 3-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Morrison 2-3, RBI; Rieman RBI. Records: SX 21-8, M 24-6.

·West gets coach a homecoming

By Frank DiRenna Enquirer contributor·

DUBliN -When the Lakota West baseball team opposes Gahanna ·lincoln today in a .Division· I regional final game, Firebirds coach Bill Dreisbach probably will look across the field and seesomefamiliarfaces.

Dreisbach is a 1988 graduate of Gahanna but vows once the game begins, it will be business as usual.

West took care of business Thursday as it cruised to a 13-2, five-inning win against Newark in a regional semifinal at Dublin Coffman High School.

Gahanna reached the regional final after holding off Hilliard Darby 9-8 in the first semifinal Thursday~ West and Gahanna met April19~ with the Firebirds cruis• ing to an 1M win in the first game of a doubleheader. West was comfortably in front in the second game, but the contest was canceled due to inclement weather.

"It's going to be fun," ·Dreis~ bach said of facing Gahanna.

Division I baseball S-~e.-e~

"We've played each other every year for the past 10 years. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Gahanna. It's where I'm from, born and raised; Coach (Mike) Shade was my coach in' high school. It's going to .be a good time, but don't confuse when~ I grew up with my desire to win."

Against Newark, West broke open a close game; scoring six runs in the third inning to build a 7-llead. The Firebirds sealed the win with five runs in the fifth.

West batted around in both uprisings. · Southpaw Nathan Smith was the beneficiary of the onslaught as he went the distance in the abbreviated game. He allowed four hits, struck out one and walked one. Smith retired the final eight batters he faced.

"I don't think Nathan had his best stuff today, butthemarkofa good pitcher is when you don't have your best stuff you still find a way to get it done, and he did that today," Dreisbach said. · West took control in the third.

The Firebirds sent 10 t atters to the plate, using RBI singles from Bryan Beaver, Crajg Gaud en and Jacob May and doubles from Rob Shaw and Jimmy Brenneman against losing pitcher Michael Boichan. ''When we kind of broke it open a little bit; it c~rtainly gave us the upper hand, but Newark battled and hats off to them.~ Dreisbach said. ''They've been playing very good baseball and I just feel fortunate that we're moving on." · West added a run in the fourth and five in the fifth. . , "I like the way we swung the bats today," Dreisbach said. i Shaw said the team looked for- i ward to trying for a second con- ~ secutive state title. ~ "Our first goal was to win· GMCs and we did that, and then I it was to win the city for the first i time, and we did that," Shaw said. ; "... Our next gmil is regional, and then we go on to state."

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Lakota West-·-··---··-· 106 15 -13 13

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Newark •••••••••••• _____, 101 00 -2 4 2 WP: Smith (10-0, 4 hits).lP: Bolchan (7-2). Leaders: LW- Beaver 2 1Bs, 2B, 2 RBI; Shaw 2B, 1B, 3 runs; Brenneman 2B, 1B; N- Nutter2B, 1B, RBI; Keck 2B, RBI. Records: LW 25-1, N 16-14.

Catt~ni's late Enquirers!Efreports . .

5 ,.. ~ 0-() g

Lakota lf'ast senior Colt Cattani was having an· unusu·ally tough day, but thim it became the biggest day of his baseball life.

Cattani launched a two-run homer that tied the game, at 3 in the seventh inning, and East went on to beat Vandalia Butler 4-3 in 10 innings in the Division I regional semifinals Thursday at Uc,.s Marge Schott Stadium. · Cattani entered the game with a team-best .484 batting average, but hetwas·().for-3 when he stood in~gainst But-

HR helps East rally for 10-inning win::

~er l~ft-hartder Zach Dumler awildthrowt~wardthirdbase

. m the top of the seventh.

.With two out and. a runner on, Cattani blasted a 2-0 pitch highovertheleft-fi.eldfenceto tie it at 3. The ball landed near some sunbathers beyond the fence, and the hit brought East players bounding out of the dugout to mob Cattani.

"I would have to .s~y that's my biggest hit ever,"· Cattani said. "I've never been happier · my 1:.t • th'IS game. " m we, to wm East won it in the lOth inning.. Wes Smith and Matt Zompero got on base with singles. Noah Bu~ttgen then bunted toward fi.d!t base, and

High school roundup

Baseball

enabled Snuth to come around and score. .

St. Francis DeSales 2, BataSmith, a senior, got the win East advances to the re- via 1, Division II regional in relief of East starter Luke gional final at 2 p.m. today at semifinal: Batavia senior cen· Giddens. Giddens, a junior UC against Moeller. ter fielder Alex Fisler hit a lefty, went 8% innings and alEast is making the pro- two-out RBI single to tie the lowed just four hits while · gram's first regional appear- · game atl in the top of the fifth striking out. five. Butler's ance. The Thunderhawks fin. inning. thtee runs all were in the first ished tied for fifth. in the · But .in the bottom of the inning. l().team Greater Miami Con- seventh inning, Batavia se'They got rolling, but then fetence this season. ' nior pitcher Ryan Beard gave Luke settled down and up a two-out RBI hit to end-the Lakota East ooo 100 200 1 -4 a 1 Bulldogs, season.

PI·tched his tai·1 off," East vandana-Butt-; 300 000 000 0 _3 5 1 coach Ray Hamilton said. wP- Smith (4-:1): LP- eono. Leaders: LE- cananr Kenton Ridge 11, M~Nicho'These kids are confident if ~:~.~~~~~n~~;~i.~~'Ta3il~, 2~~~;~:,~a~-;~ las 4, Division II regional they just stick around, good Asr: eono 28. Records: LE ts-u,'vs 17-13. • semifinal at Wittenberg: Sethingscanhappen.Ifsniceto . To Groesche niorsKyleiYiassaandAndrew still be playing."

IJ m n Thole eac~ went' 2-for-4 .. . . for

McNicholas. Craig Hyson· contributed two RBI for the Rockets.

Softball West Liberty Salem 2, Madeira 1, Division III regional

semifinal: With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Madeira pitcher Sarah Hammitt helped her own cause by hit-. ting an RBI single to bring in sophomore Katelyn Kramer and tie the game at 1. , But in the 'bottom of the seventh inning, Hammitt gave up a two-out RBI double to end the Amazons' seas~.

Crusaders rewrite '07 headline Top St. X in '08 regional semis S"... Jo...os

By Torn Groeschen igroeschen@et~~Juirer.com

Moeller pitcher Greg Williams held aloft the newspaper article, then ripped it apart as Crusaders fans cheered from the grandstands. ¡williams, after Moeller beat St Xavier 9-5 in a Division I regional semifinal baseball gaffie Thursday at UC's Marge Schott Stadium, ceremonially shredded a copy of an Enquirer story from last May that detailed the Crusaders' loss to St X in the 2007 regional semis, when Moeller had been ranked No. 1 in the state.

"We brought the paper from last year, so we could make sure it didn't happen again," Williams said.

Williams, a senior left-

¡

The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Moeller's Greg Williams improved to 6-2 on the season in Thursday's victory.

bander and 1Moeller ace, went 6% innings Thursday to raise his record to 6-2.

See MOELlER, Page C4

•']._if'•

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Cattani's late· HR helps East rally for 10-iruJ.ing win Enquire;Jl!!ff ~;!ports ~

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Lakota East senior Colt Cattani was having an unusually tough day, but then it became the biggest day of his baseball life.

Cattani launched a two-run homer that tied the game at 3 in the seventh inning, and East went on to beat Vandalia Butler 4-3 in 10 innings in the Division I regional semifinals Thursday at l[C's Marge Schott Stadium. · Cattani entered the game with a team-best- .484 batting average, but hE! was 0-for-3 when he stood uaagainst But-

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High school roundup

ler left-bander Zach.Dumler awildthrowfowardthirdbase Baseball .. McNicholas. Craig Hyson in the top of the seventh. enabled Smith to come contributed two RBI. for the With two out and a runner around and score. .

St..Francis DeSales 2, Bata· Rockets. on, Cattani blasted a 2-0 pitch Smith, a senior, got the win East advances to the re- via 1, · Division II regional ~ig_h over the left-field fence to in_ relief of ~ast starter. Lu_ke gional ~al at 2 p.m. today ,at semifinal: Batavia ~enior ~en· Softball tie 1t at 3. The ball landed near Gtddens. Gtddens', a JUntor UC agamst Moeller. · ter fielder Alex Ftsler hit a some sunbathers beyond the lefty, went 8% innings and al~ . Ea_st' is making tlie pro- two-out RBI single to tie the West LiiM!rty Salem 2, Mafence, and the hit brought lowed just four hits while· gram's first regional appear- garrieatlin thetopofthefifth deira 1, Division, ill regional East players boimding out of striking out five. Butler's ance. The Thtinderhawks fin- inning. semifinal: With two outs in the the dugout to mob Cattani. · three runs all were in the first ished tied for fifth in the But in the bottom of the top of the seventh inning, Ma· ~·I would have to say that's inning.

10-team Greater Miami Con· 'seventh inning, Batavia se- . deira pitcher Sarah Hammitt my biggest hit ever," Cattani 'They got rol.l.ffig, but then terence this season. · nior pitcher Ryan Beard gave helped her own cause by hit· said. "I've never been happier Luke settled down and up a two-out RBI hit to end the ting an RBI single to bring in in my life, to win this game." pitched his tail off," East ~=~:: ~ ! Bulldogs' season. sophomore Katelyn Kramer East won it in the lOth in- coach Ray Hamilton said. wP. smlth (4-2). LP. eono.Leaders: LE. canan1 Kenton Ridge ll, McNicho- and tie the game at 1. ning. Wes Smith and Matt ·'These kids are confident if ~M.;~~~~~~~;!,~~~~Ts~~ 2~~~:rs,~s~-;.; las 4, Division II regional But in the bottom of the Zompero got on base with sin·. they just stick around, good ' RBI; eono 2s. Recoms: LE 18-n.'vs 11·13. · semifinal at Wittenberg: Se- seventh inning, Hammitt gave gles. Noah B!!fttgen then things can happen. It's nice to . _ Tom Groeschen niors Kyle Massa and Andrew up a two-out RBI double to bunted toward ~t base, and still be playing." . > . . Thole ea~ went 2-for-4 for end the Amazons' se~n. l

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C4 FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008

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Division Ill baseball regional semifinals

Ninth-imrlng error dooms' .

CHCA-' but Badin wins .

By Mike Dyer m(iyer@enquirer.com

· FAIRBORN- Heath scored on a·throwing error in the bottom of tlie ninth and defeated Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 2-1 in the second Division.III regional semifinal Thursday at Wright State. ' "Some things are meant to be and some aren't," CHCAcoach LarrY Redwine said. "It's very heartbreaking." c Heath (264), the 2007 Division UI state champion, advances to play B1ulin in the regional final at2 p.m. , today at Wright State. ' CHCA (23-3) held Heath to one hitThursday-adoublein the sixth inning by Jordan Maier. · CHCA senior starting pitcher Nate Lambert allowed the hit and ' one run through eight innings. · - "Thatkidtookthe batrightciltof our hands," Heath coach Dave Klontz said. '"He was awesome, I tliought."

I C:HCAjunior Andy Garrett (0-1) took the loss after he pitched onethird of an inning. ; CHCA, ranked No. 2 in the En. qUirer Divisions II-N area coaches' poll, is ranked No. 2in the state poll Heath is· eighth in the state poll. ' "We had three teams capable of winning the state championship in this regional bracket," Redwine said. "Somebody was going to · come up on the short end of it, and itwasus." ' • CHCA tied the game atl-1 in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Matt Williams, who was 2-for-3, led off with a double, advanced to third on an error and scored on Keviri Fields' sacrifice fly.

"We thought we had them in the seventh, eighth and ninth (inrungs), but we just came up a little bit short," Lambert said. ·clkA ' .

Heillh

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WP.-VanDine(9-1, 10 K's). LP-Garrett(0·1). Leaders: C-Williams 2-3, 28, run, 2 SB; Lambe~ 2 SB. H-Maler 28.

Records: C24-3, H 26-4.

~ Badin 12, Fenwick 2: Badin piJunded out 14 hits and junior right-hander Brett McKinney tl}rew five solid innings as the host ·.

Rams defeated Fenwick in 41h innings ln the Division III regiDnal semifinal at Wright State. · · "It makes it easier on me. I don't like close games;" Badin coach ; Rick Kunkel said. ' Badin (24-6) , which moved from Division II b'efore the seaso~ has v,;on 18 consecutive games since losing 9-1 to La Salle April18. · "It's great right now, but we're not satisfied- we want to end the s~ason on a }Vin, and that's our goal · right now," said Badin junior Zach Toerner, who was 3-for-3 with two RBI . ' Badin, No. 1 in the Enquirer Di. visions II-N coaches' poll, is ranked No. 13. in the state poll. · ' The Rams held a S:1 lead after tWo innings. In the bottom of the second, Badin scored four runs. Junior Scott Staarmann had an RBI .single to left to score senior Garrett segerto make it 2-1.1\vo batters later, junior Corey VanNatta hit an RBI double to left to make it 3-1.

Then, senior Nate Jackson drove in two more runs with a single to left to make it S:1. · Badin added seven more runs the next two innings.

- McKinney, who struck out five, ~proved to 7c?.

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Bailin 143 4x -12 14 3 WP-McKinney (7-2). LP-Helffench (5-3). Le~rs: F-Graham, 2-3, 2B, RBI; Zaidei3B; Jewell2-2, RBI. B-Van Natta 2B, RBI; Jaci<son 2-2, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 2 runs; Toemer 3-3, 2 RBI; 2B; Gertms 2-3, 2 runs; Seger 2 nms; Hubbmtl2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Staarrnann 3-3,3 RBI. Records: F 15-12, B 24-6.

Division Ill baseball

Wild finish. caps Badin's rally into state tourney '

By Mike Dyer mdyer@enqyirer.com

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FAIRBORN, Ohio- Before h'e celebrated his scheduled grad. uation Friday night, Badin senior Nate Hubbard ran across home plate into the mob of teammates that emerged from the dugout and waited for him in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday afternoon.

With Hubbard's game-winning run, the Rams made a full sprint into next weekend's state tournament. Hubbard, a third baseman, stored on a wild pitch that skipped behind the catcher, and Badin rallied to defeat defending state champion Heath 4-3 in eight innings in a Division Ill regional final at Wright State University.

'There is nothing like it," Hubbard said of scoring the winning run." ... I'd rather have it end on a hit or something like that, but we'll take what we can get." .

Badin (25-6) advanced to play in the state semifinals against Wheelersburg at Cooper Stadium in Columbus at 10 a.m. June 6. ''I'm just amazed at what happened," Badin coach Rick Kunkel said. "I don't know if it's sunk in yet."

It is the first state tournament appearance for Badin since 2005, when the Rams were the Division II state ruimers-up. Badin moved to Division Ill before the start of the 2008 season.

The Rams saved their best for the last two innings Friday. Badin trailed 3-0 until it scored in the fourth inning on Hubbard's RBI single-to right field to make it 3-1, then went hitless during the fifth and sixth innings.

Badin junior Brett McKinney came into the ganie in relief in the seventh ii:ming and struck out the first two batters he faced. McKinney, who got the win Thursday against Fenwick, threw 1% innings Friday without allowing a hit and received the win to improve to 8-2 this season.

"When they brought in the big boy, all bets were off because he is a man and he can throw it by people," Heath coach Dave Klontz said.

With one out in the seventh, the Rams scored two runs when senior Nate Jackson and junior Tony Cassano hit back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game at 3.

"It was probably the best game I have ever ph!.yed in- or at least the best seventh inning," Cassano said.

Said Jackson: "We were really never worried at all. We're a pretty con1;ident and laid:back team. With the heart of our lineup coming up, we feltpretty confident." · After Heath (2~5) went out 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth, Hubbard sirigled to right field and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Scott Staarmann. Badin then received two walks to lo~d the bases for Nate Jackson. .

The first pitch to Jackson was wild and went behind the Heath catcher, allowing Hubbard to score from third base. .

Badin; ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV area coaches' poll and No. 13 in the state poll, has won 19 consecutive garries.

"I told them that it's otir goal to get (to state); now we have 'to play to win," Kunkel said. · Heath-----~----~

-3" 000 00 9 2 102 100.

21 6 1 000 WP-McKinney (8·2). LP-Kidwell (5-3). Leaders: B-Van Natta run, stolen base; Jackson RBI; Cassano RBI; Hubbard 2-4, run. H-LaRue 3-3; Anders 2-4, 28, 3 RBI. Records: B 25·6, H 26-5.

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Suburban Life

May 28; 2008

Sll..JHBURlBAN [L~FlE

rn t!1 tm®m moo IJtDtJG 00 o ootm

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Moeller senior Brent Suter was one of the top pitchers for the Crusaders this season.

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Moeller baseball wins GCL.

By Mark Chalifoux mchalifoux@communitypress.com .

The Moeller baseball team has had a strong season under first-year head coach Tim Held. · · The Crusaders had their ups and downs, but put together an 11-3 conference record and won the GCL championship.

The Crusaders also won a sectional title and advanced to the district finals· (the game was not completed before press) .

Moeller finished 19-6 overall.

Moeller was led by seniors Greg Williams, Brent Suter, J.R. Reynolds, Ross Oltorik, Pat Curtin and junior Brett Cisper. .

Moeller had a number of l;>ig win~, including late-season wins over St. Xavier and Elder.

Moeller also put together a 14~ game win streak in the middle of the season.

"It's been a very good season,·~ Held said of his first year as head ~~~~J.

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MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Moeller senior and Ohio State recruit Ross Oltorik was one of t!Je standouts for the Crusaders baseball team this year.' ·

"It's been very pleasing. All the coaches work well together and the lower-level. teams are doing great.

The kids have been great.

"When you win some games everyone feels better, but we've got-

C8 SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2008

HIGH Insider

Nastold, William~

top_ local prospects It didn't gain much notice last June, but some of us certainly noticed.

In 2007, for the first time in memory, there were no Greater Cincinnati high school seniors . selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player.draft.

This year, Moeller pitcher Greg Williams and Elder pitcher Mike Nastold are considered by most scouts the top local se- ¡ ni6r prospects. Williams (signed with Marshall) and Nastold (Louisville) may be late-round candidates for this year's draft June 5-6, but each seems more likely to opt for college.

The feeling ~ among coaches om and scouts is that floeschen ¡ Cincinnati is still a solid baseball town, but it may be taking longer for some players to develop.

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-1om Keefe, who scouts Greater Cincinnati for the Los Angeles Dodgers, said it has been a particularly banner year for area college teams. Those teams feature many Greater Cincinnati high school products. "In my 15 years of scouting, this is the best local collegiate season I can remember," Keefe said.

This season, Keefe said, the University of Cincinnati set a school record for wins, Xavier tied for its league title, Mount St. Joseph and Thomas More both won league titles, and Northern Kentucky University won its conference tournament.

What of our current high school players? ~incinnati still wins state titles with regularity, most recently lakota West as 路2007 Division I state champion.

Yet, the area has not had a player drafted in the MLB first round since 1990, when Moeller product Adam Hyzdu went to the San Francisco Giants.

"I think it runs in cycles," said Ken Gray, coach at Mason since 1975. "We've had plenty of good players, but unless they're offered the big money right away, you see more guys going to college now."

This year, former New Richmond pitcher David Duncan (Georgia Tech) is a probable high-round pick. Several other collegians with local ties are rated highly, including Jason Christian (Loveland/U. of Michigan), Eric Surkamp (Moeller/North Carolina State), Charlie Leesman (Elder/Xavier U.), Josh Hanison (Princeton/U. of Cincinnati),路 Jeremy Hamilton (Princeton/ Wright State U.), Tony Campana (Springboro/U. of Cincinnati) and Dan Osterbrock (Colerain/U. of Cincinnati).

In the grand scheme, some believe one-sport specialization has wounded baseball not only in Cincinnati but around the nation. Kids who used to dream of being Willie Mays are now wearing LeBron James jerseys or Tom Brady T-shirts.

"For several reasons, the amount of athletes involved in baseball is not as extensive as it was in the past," Keefe said.

Figures from MLB.com and the online Wlkipedia encyclope: dia show that, at the start of the 2008 season, 22.1 percent of major league baseball players were foreign-born.

Compare that to 1997, when 19 percent of MLB players were foreign-born. Compare that to 1970, 'when only 10 percent of MLB players were foreign路 born. Call it the globalization of baseball, but oldtimers call it something else. They lament the age of video games, with American kids parked in the basement playing Halo 3 instead of outside playing baseball.

Then you see a Kevin Youkilis (Sycamore) with the Boston Red Sox, a Jensen Lewis (Anderson) with the Oeveland Indians, a Joe Smith (Amelia) with the New York Mets. AU went to college instead of straight to the pros, and look at them now.

"I've been to see games in Florida and California," Mason's Gray said. "Top to bot路 tom, the quality of baseball in Southwest Ohio is still as good as anyplace in the country."

The players are still here, after all. We just might not know them all yet.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer. com

Baseball .. ··

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' _. . Division!

Moeller 9, St. Xavier 5 Cle. St. Ignatius II, Amherst Steel!

Lakewood St. Edwaro 4, Massillon Jacl<son 2 ·Gahanna Uncoln 9, Hilliaro Darby 8 ' Lakota East 4, Vandalia Butler 3, ID innings Mayfield 6, Medina 5 Tot Start 4, Perrysburg 3 La~.ota West 13, Newarll2 Division II 8elon West Branch 6, Poland Seminary 3 COis. Francis DeSales 2, llalaYia 1 CUyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 10, Uma Shawnee 0 Kemon Ridge II, McHicbolas 4 I Medina Highland 10, Sandusky Perkins 0 Steubenville 6, Circleville 3

• Division Ill can. Cent COth. 7, Youngs. UrsiJiine 6 COldwater 2, Sherwood Fairview I Frankfort Adena 9, Saroinia Eastem 4 Badin 12, Middletown 2 Heath 2, CHCA 1, 81nnlngs Manon Pleasant 9, Elmore Woodmere 2 Peninsula Woodndge 4, Beachwood 0 Wheelersburg2, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley I, 8 innings

DilisioniV Benin Hiland 12. Reedsville Eastern 2 Delphos Jefferson 10, Sidney lehman 0 • fl. Loramie 17, Pitsburg Franklin Monroe 7 ' Gafes Mills Gilmour Academy 4, Ashland Maple· ton 0 . .; ~ew Middletown Springfield 13, New Wash ingum Buckeye Central 1 • Newarll catholic 14, Racine Southern Hamler Patr!Ct< Henry 5, Delphos St. John's 0 Van Bu~n 9, To~=~ 8 • •

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Regional semflinals St. francls DeSales 2, Batavia!

Batavia ................ 000 010 0 -1 3 0 Sl Francis 100 000 1 '-2 7 0 DeSales ............. ..

WP- Gentile (10·0, 11 K's); LP- Seam (3·3).l.eaders: B· F~lerRBI. Recoros: S 27·2, B 1Hl.

Division II Regional semifinal$ At W"rttenberg Kenton R"rdge 11, McNicholas 4 McNiclio!as .......... 010 030 0 -4 8 2 KemonRidge ....... 430f;220! x -II 9 2 WP-Palmer (7.0); LP-Uhf" (3·5). Leaders: M-Massa 2-4;Thole2-4, 2 2B; Hyson 2 RBI. Recoros:M20·11.

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The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

St. Xavier's Rich Oilier improved to 6-0; holding Turpin in check despite not having his best stuff in the district championship game. ' ' . . .

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Division I district. baseball final: St: Xavier 6, Turpin 2

Victory earns Bombers . . third stnke at Moeller .

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innings as St X defeated Turpin 6-2.

Enquirer contributor Third baseman Billy Rumpke Not until the final out was re- went 2-for'4, and Michael Basil corded in Saturday's district final contributed a two-run triple to the victory over Turpin did St. Xavier wall 'in right-center field to help begin to ponder its next opponent _ spark a fiVe-run second inning..

Once the district championship 'Tyler Hollstegge pitched two was secured, however, the smiles innings in relief of Oilier, allowing on the Bombers' faces said it all. just,one hit and striking out three.

"I didn't have my best stuff toForJ:hesecondconsecutiveseason, St. Xwill meet Greater Catho- day at all,:' said Oilier. "My lie League rival Moeller in the re- changeup was decent, but my fastgional semifinals. ball was slow. I had to work with ''We have to come with our best what I had. But we got it dorie. stuff against Moeller," said Bomb- When, you're pitching with a lead, ers left-hander Rich Oilier. "It's you have so much more confibig. If we're o·n our game, I think dence." we'll be fine. It'd be great to finally Spartans left-hander Ryan Marbeat them after the two losses, tip, who allowed just two earned -They put it to us this season." runs, suffered his first loss.

On Saturday morning at Mid- · Turpin committed six errors, land Field, Oilier improved to 6-0, three in the second inning. allowing two runs on five hits with ''We hit the ball every bit as one walk and six strikeouts in five hard as they did," coach Rob Lu-

_By Jeff Wallner

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banski said. "They hit some gr{)und ba1ls that we didn't make the play on. St. X played· good enough def{!nse to beat us. Our effort was there. I'm real proud of our team.~ Shortstop Nate Fudala went 3for-4 with a run scored, and John Keliy added a two-run bases-load· ed single to drive home the Spartans' only_ runs off Oilier. .

The Bombers (21-6) move on to face Moeller (22-6) in the regional semifinals at 5 p.in. Thursday at the University of Cincinnati's Matge Schott Stadium.

'They :are traditional winners," said St. X head coach Bill Slinger of Moeller: 'They have excellent pitching depth. There are a lot of tough outs in their lineup. It's gomg to be a battle."

St. Xand Moeller met twice during the regular season, with the Crusaders winning both games,

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The Bombers defeated Moeller in last year's regional semifinals. ,''We're excited to get a. third chance against them," said BasiL ''We've just got to play better than we have against them previously. I think we;re abetter team now than we were when we played them before."

Following their district final victory over Springboro on Friday, Moeller's players anticipated arematch with the Bombers.

"Anytime you face a GCL South team in the tournament, it's always a big deal," Crusaders pitcher Greg Williams said. ''We know it's going to be a hattie. If they're on that day, they can be a great team. It's a big game."

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St. Xavier---------· Cl50 001 X-G 6 0 WP- Oilier (6-0), LP. Martin (7·1). Leaders: T Fudala 3-4, R; Seibert 2-4; Kelly 1-3, 2 RBI. X· Rumpke 2·4, R; Basil 1-1, 3B, 2 RBI, R. SB; Beming 1-2, RBI, R, SB; lewis 1-2, RBI, R, SB. Records: T • 22-7, ~- 21-6.

Division I distrilct baseball final: Lakota West ~ Sidney 0

Pitching, 'D' lift defending champs

By Carey Hoffman Enquirer contributor

Defending DivisiOn I state baseball champ Lakota West had its mettle tested Saturday. Fittingly, the Frrebirds responded like champions.

They weren't ab1e to rest easy the whole game, bnt rode defense and pitching to a 1-0 victory over Sidney in a .DivisiOn I district title game played at Midland Field.

West (24-1), the tOp-ranked team in Division I, advances to the Dublin regional, whereitwillmeetNewark (16-11) in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. Thursday.

We!jt junior left-hander Nathan -Smith threw a complete-game, twohit shutout in recording his ninth -win of the season~ ''We saw .him on Tuesday against Talawanda, and he had

three pitches working then," said Sidney coach Mitch Hoying. "You can throw '90 (miles per hour) or you can throw 70, but if you can throw three pitches for strikes, you're going to be hard to beat." ~'Nate was on his game," sai.d West's Bryan Beaver. "I was out at shorhjtop, and you can see the spots he was being asked to hit. He was hitting them all."

"He .did a great job," agreed West coach Bill Dreisbacli. "He only walked three guys, he had the good changeup, and he was locating his fastball well."

Sidney's Brad Ymger was the hard-hick loser. He and reliever Joe Engle comi;>ined to limit West to five hits and one innocuous looking mini-rally in the firSt that turned out to produce the game's only run.

West's Jimmy Brenneman led offthe bottomofthefirstbybeating

out an infield single. Ricky Finley piclrup right at second base and advanced him on a ground out, with fired to first just in time to beat EaBrenneman able to take third on gle. the tliow. He then scored on an 'That was a great sigh of relief," RBI groundout to second by Bea- Smith said of Beaver's play. "He's ver.

• been playing great back there all Sidney had its best chances in year. Once I saw the ball, I knew .the fourth and sixth innings, butfell good things woukl happen." victim to West's defense. ''We had our first three in the With one out and two on in the lineup up that inning, so we had our fourth, Sidney's Nathan Strome best shot," said Sidney's Hoying. drove a ball into right field. West "Give Lakota West credit - they right fielder Jacob May had to fight· made the pitches, made the plays off lool!:ing into the sun, but made and didn't make mistakes. That's the' tumbling catch. The inning exactly what state championship then ended in a iorce out. . baseball is all about."

In the sixth, Sidney's John Lowe · "This feels good," said Smith. "It drew a leadoff walk. A sacrifice -feels like (by winning district) bunt put him 1o second, and a we've dipped our feet in the water. groundlout by Ymger put him at We want to do it again." third. Eagle then hit a· sharp Sidney _ _000 OMl 0 _ o 2 1 grounder right back through the Lakota west -lOO 0110 x -1 s o box. Beaver, coming across hard wP- smith. LP- Yinger. Hitting leader.;: s - Lowe 2B: LW from his shortsf{)p spot, made the smith 2B. Records: LW 24-l s 17-12.

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Moeller "advances to regional final with 4-0 shutout

By Jeff Wallner

Enquirer contributor

S- 4 4-o 8

Moeller pitcher Brent Suter had barely five days to consider the magnitude of his scheduled start in Saturday's district final against Springboro.

The Crusaders left-hander had made just three prior starts this season. But with workhorse Greg Williams having thrown more than 100 pitches in his previous outing, Suter was pressed into service.

"Coach told me Monday after our (sectional final) against Sycamore," said Suter. "All week I was trying to visualize successful plays and pitches. There were definitely some but-

tertliesin there. Butoncel!!'otactive during warmups, they went away. I was just excited to be out there." 路 Suter, who Will attend Harvard, responded by allowing just two hitS over six strong six innings as Moeller earned the district championship with a 4-0 win over Springboro on Friday at Midland Field.

The Crusaders advanced to the regional final, where they'll face the winner of today's district final between St Xavier and Turpin at 5 p.m. Thursday at the University of Cincinnati's Marge Schott Stadium.

Senior Patrick Curtin went 2-for-4 with a RBI, and junior Brett Cisper went 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored for Moeller.

Div. I district baseball Suter, who walked four and struck out four, went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. He held' Springboro hitless through 4% innings. 路 "We knew that with his velocity and off-speed pitches that he'd be successful," said Crusaders coach Tun Held. "Being 6-foot-4, he has a different arm-slot that makes him tough to hit His pitches get on them a little faster. We were very confident in Brent" Moeller scored itS first run when Chuck Ghysels walked Cisper with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.

Ghysels, who signed with the

University of Dayton, entered Friday's game with a 7.{) record. He allowed just one run on four hitS, walked five and struck out 10 in suffering his first defeat Ghysels' off-speed pitches kept Moeller's batters off balance, but the Crusaders' patience at the plate elevated Ghysels' pitch count "Ghysels is a great pitcher," said Held. "We kept that constant pressure on him inning after inning. We finally broke him down. We found a way to grind it out" Splncboro - - 000 000 0 -0 2 5 Mooler - - - 000 121 I -4 5 1 WP- Suter (3o{}), LP- Ghysels (7-1). Leadem: MReynolds 1"3, R, 58; Curtin 2"4, RBI; Suter 2"3, 28; Clsper 1"2, R, RBI. S Sheltrown 1路3; Lemley 1-3. Records: M 22路6, S 25-5.

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The Enquirer/ Jeff Swinger

Moeller's lan Hundley (center) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run Friday .

Roundup

5"-18-oe

·Turpin surprises Milford in sectional· .J-.,

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St. Xavier, Moeller advance to finals Enquirer staff reports .

the seventh inning to force extra innings. Junior pitcher Matt Marksbeny threw three scoreless innings, the sixth, seventh and' eighth, to earn the Win. ' In the eighth, Glen Este freshi man Matt Jones knocked in two• runs.

There was plenty oj drama at the Division I baseball sectional tour-· nament at Milford Saturday.

Turpin senior shortstop Nate Fudala drove in the go-ahead run with a single to right field in the · eighth inning as the Spartans upset Wyomi~Jg 4, Norwood 3, Division.

Milford 8-6.

II sectional: Senior Alex Birdsall I Milford is ranked No. 5 in the had the game-winning hit in the 'J Enquirer Division I area coaches' seventh to lift Wyoming (10-16). Ju- ~ poll while Turpin is unranked. niorT.C. Oneal scored the winning~ Turpin senior pitcher Ryan Mar- run. , tin threw an eight-inning complete Princeton 10, Mason 7, Division I ' game. Martin had 11 strikeouts and sectional: Princeton jumped to an kept his perfect record on the early 6-0 lead afterfour innings and,. mound (6-0). held on as Mason scored seven.

Turpin led 3-0 after the first in- runs in the last three innings. ning - but Milford rallied twice Softball ·from a three-run deficit.

Turpin senior Robbie Lubanski Cincinnati Country Day 2, New Mi- , went 3-for-4 with two doubles and ami 1, Division IV sectional: CCD,, fourRBI. · sophomore Anna Lemen threw a ' Turpin plays Glen Este in a sec-· complete game With seven strike- 1 tiona! final Monday. outs.

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Baseball ,

Batavia 12, Felicity 12· (six innings), Division Ill seCtioilal: Batavia

St. Xavier 14, Oak Hills 3 (five in- senior pitcher Jamie Bare struck nings), Division I ~onill: St. Xavi- out eight to win her 50th career

er had a 5-0 lead after the first in- game. She improved her record •to · ning. Senior Richie Oilier had 10 13-4.

Williamsburg 18, St. Bemafd ·1 strikeouts. .

Moeller 9, Walnut Hills 2, Division (five innings), Division IV sectional: I sectional: Senior pitCher Ross 01- Wtlliamsburg freshman Rachel

torik struck out 10 in six innings Meisberger threw her first career and was 2-for-4 at the plate. five-inning no-hitter. Meisberger Glen Este 6, Loveland 3 (eight in- had eight strikeouts and went 3-' nings), Division I sectional: Glen for-4. ~ · · Este scored three runs in the top of

High school baseball '1-&1-tt.3 .

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Moeller drops Curtin --~on St. X -

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::-crusaders reliever :~Also goes 5-for-5 . . .l·'···:

.--~Y'-lom Groeschen

~:t!{~O.(i~chen@enquirer.com

(h · , , ~

•

~

rYioeller senior left-bander Pat '::Clliiin had about 22 hours to think .:aqo4t which pitch he Was going to

1'hr9:w.

:·- · Moeller beat St Xavier 12-7 Tues. :J~'at St Xavier in the completion of ._ ... a.F,e suspended Monday by rain, ~ut. not before some high drama ~ ~.The score was tied 4-4 in the bot-tbm of the fourth inning when rain ....~t{ipPed play Monday. '" :vvhen action resumed Tuesday, ··st. 'X had runners on second and -t;hird and hard-hitting Bombers ., catcher Andy Lamping was at the :i}~t~ with a 1-2 count . ; . Curtin, in relief of Monday starter ~~Gr¢$ Williams, took the hill for the -fu.Sepitch Tuesday. · J;le tossed a curveball that caught ·• tawping looking, then got out of the ~~Iitili}g on a spectacular diving catch ;:oy n~ht fielder Keith Rieman on top .l;'owbers hitter Michael Basil.

-~ ·, 'Theytoldmerightafterthegame 'tMonday) that I'd be pitching today, ~o ~Was thinking all night and all day . aoout what pitch to throw on that first <one," Curtin said. "I figured he'd be ··loolting fastball, so I threw the curve.

• -~ "lben we got a great catch from ·Relth Rieman."

-:~ .. Moeller then erupted forfourruns ~·jp.tVe top of the fifth, capped by a two.. riin single by Curtin. to make it 84.

That would be all Moeller needed. ·•:: ···~Urtin went 5-for-5 with two RBI 'for the game, his second five-hit gcllhe of the year. He also raised his pitChing record to 3-1 with 3% innings ··pitched Tuesday.

- -St. X coach Bill Slinger said the strikeout and then the diving catch ., were big for Moeller. . ,, 'They make that great play, and it's big momentum changer," Sling-~r·~d. . _ -

.,.

a

• _-rhe Crusaders beat St X 64 in ooth teams' season opener April2. ·· · MoellerisrankedNo.3andGreater'Catholic League South rival St Xis :No.' 4 in the Enquirer Division I coach\'!S' poll : 'Both entered with two-game los. iflg streaks. Moeller had run off 14 straight wins before dropping two ·games in the Beast of the East tour.. miment over the weekend. , ' , '1bis gets everybody off our packs at school now," Moeller coach · Tm1 Held said, smiling. "We always . get· up for St X and all our GCL kames." : ".Moeller senior outfielder Brent -Suter went 3-for-5 with a home run, a .·triple and four RBI. · · ForStX,senior:firstbasemanJor. dan Fmley was 2-for-4 with a homer -and three RBI. ' : "We were down on ourselves after 'losing two in a row," Curtiri said.

"We're coining together again." ~ ~·

..

1

Moouer ........................

004

042

2

-12

13

4

~~ .....................

200

201

2

-7

9

5

WP.- Curtin (3-1, 4 K's). lP - Fruediggef (0-1). leaders; M • Reynolds 2-4, 36; Curtin 5-5, 2 RBI; Suter 3-5, 36, HR, 4 RBI; , !lisper 26; SX- Lamping 26; lssler 26, 2 RBI; Finley 2-4, HR. 3 • RBI; Lewis 3-4, 26. 36. Records: M 17·5 (10.2 GO.·S), SX 13-6 t lt-4 GCL·S). 'f .. ;

,.c, . .

>GCL ....... schedule l

I

'GAMES · C-) at Alter

TODAY

TIME

4:30p.m.

Roge'r Bacon at McNicholas 4:30p.m.

4:30p.m. ··Elder at Moeller 4:30p.m . . Ba.din at Purcell Marian 4:30p.m. :st Xavier at La Salle ~ --~eriwick at Carroll 5 p.m.

:~~ES

THURSDAY

.::Badin at C-J <9arroll at Carlisle

.. -, '· ".GAMES

FRIDAY

........

SATURDAY

~ ~oger Bacon

at Badin ':AI@ at Fenwick ·Purcell at McNicholas , Elder at St Xavier ~Carr.oll at C-J ~-Mgeller at La Salle

·r.·ilAMES

TIME (

4:30p.m.

5 p.m .

TIME

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

4:30p.m.

TIME

noon Moeller-atTallmadge noon C-J at Troy 1 p.m.

Norwood at Purcell Marian 1:30 p.m.

-llan~alia Butler at Badin 2 p.m.

-~ Gltciminade-Julienne at Troy 3:30p.m. ~'Norwood at Purcell Marian 4 p.m. ~.Springboro at Badin 7 p.m. ., ba, SaTie at Colerain TBA ·carroll at Greenview · ·'Carroll at Urbana " liiCier at Best of the West -~.st. Xavier at Kings TBA

~~

1

J

Q

Baseball: Division I

State champion West retooling after losses But coach says he still has talent

By Tom Gr?esC"Jn ° - ~8

tgroeschen@enquirer. com

\

Bill Dreisbach saw much of his 2007 DiVision I state baseball championship team graduate, but the Lakota West coach believes 2008 also could be special. · "We have a lot of holes to fill, but the cupboar:d is not bare," Dreisbach said. "We have some good young talent that will get an opportunity this year." .

West lost 11 seniors from a 28-5 team. The Frrebirds won the first state baseball championship in the Lakota districfs 48:-year history.

West is ranked No. 2in this year's preseason Enqliirer Division I area coaches' poll, with Moeller No.1 Moeller is rated No. 27 nationally .by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and No. 29 by both Baseball America and Rivals.com. · A glance at the coaches' area Top 10, with the season starting Monday: 1. Moeller: Tun Held is the new coach. Held was an assistant the past 11 years under Mike Cameron, who retired after 39 seasons. Moeller could have the area's top 1-2 pitching tandeminseniorlliPGregWilliams and senior RHP Ross Oltorik. Wll-.

Iiams (signed with M3rshall) was 8-0 with an 0.15 ERA last year. Oltorik, also a football quarterback, is headed to Ohio State on a combined baseball/football agreement Senior IliP/OF/lB Brent Suter (Harvard) and senior catcher J.R Reynolds (Ohio U.) also return. "We won't be changing a lot," Held said.

2. Lakota Wdt: Junior right-hander.Bryan Beaver (7-1, 2.16 ERA) will be this year's pitching ace. As a sophomore, Beaver threw a four-hitter in the Frrebirds' W state title win over Mentor. He also plllys second base (.320 batting average). Senior CF Jimmy Brenneman (.406 BA, 22 SB) and senior 3B Craig Gauden (.269) also are returning starters. Junior I1IP Nate Smith (6-1, 2.52 ERA) and junior OF Ricky Finley are among those to watch. · 3. Elder: Senior RHP Mike Nastold (Louisville).isthearea'stopplayer, rated the No.165 seniornationally

The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor

Moeller's (left to right) Greg Williams, Ross Oltorik·anq Brent Suter, who all will play in college, are

three reasons the Crusaders got the nod at No. 1 by area coaches .. ,· by scouting service Perfect Game Preseason ~poll USA Nastold was 74 last season With a 1.20 ERA Nastold is recovering from abroken left leg suffered last fall, but he should be available ~n~~l?Qj~·~~~~t\!y)i}u!ii:miJiik!!~lii[);J}';ffi~~$! the first or second week of play. Other key returnees for coach Mark Thompson include senior SS Eric Iinneman (.359), seniorOF/PDrew Ernst (.400) and senior P/infielder Mitchell Reilly.

4. St. Xavier: Coach Bill Slinger has six starters returning, including senior 3B/OF Billy Rwnpke (Columbia, .329 BA last year). Junior Otllers: Fairfield 25, Mason 23, LaOF/3B Michael Basil (.355) is rated ktlta E~st 12, Loveland 11, Milford 10, the No. 218 prospect nationally in his Western Hills 8, Kings f!. Sycamore 5, class !>y Perfect Game USA Senior Harrison 5, Amelia 4, Anderson 3, Andy I.amping (.364) returns for a Turpin 3. third year as starting ca,tcher, and seniot SS Tun Issler: (.359) also re tion mark. . turns. Senior Craig Rother and junior &. Hamilton: The Big Blue have Tyler Hollstegge should lead the woo at least 20 games in 17 consec· pitching staff. · uJiive seasons. 'Thafs always agoal, 5. Princeton: Senior outfielders · to win 20," said Dan Bowling, enterDorian West (.417) and BJ. Willis ing his 26th year as Hamilton coach; (.372) both have signed with the Uni- Returnees include senior SS Randy versityofCincinnati.Seriiorinfielder Mayes (.304), junior OF Andrew Randy Weinel is headed tO Ohio Do- Ruecking (.321) and senior OF Branminican. Coach Rocky Hubbard has don Whaley (.250j. Senior RHP Eric two outstanding sophomores in Cook and junior RHP MichaelWilshortstop/pitcher Spencer Ware kins lead the pitching staff. andoutfielder/pitcherMarcusDavis 7. Oak Hills: Coach Chuck Lau(.392). The pitching staff is the ques- mann said he has his strongest

group of p~ltchers since the 1990s.

Among them are junior I1IP Kyle Raleigh (3-0 last year), senior RHP Ray Sauer and sophomore I1IP Joel ··Bender. Top returning hitters include senior OF Jake Proctor (424), · senior infielder Jeff Muse (.406), seniorOFKyle Bluestein (.363) and junior C Matt Malloy (.385). · 8. La Salle: Senior shortstop Terrell "TJ," Jones (Cincinnati) has been one of the area's elite players the past few seasons. He hit .500 last ·Y~-with 33RBI and 16steals. Senior outfielder Matt Brown. hit .410 last season. Senior pitcher Aaron Walter (1.79 ERA) :figures to lead the staff.

9. Colerain: New coach Scott Bar~ her, 29, is a South Carolina native who pitched in the Arizona Dia· inondbacks· system from 2()()()..()4~ The Cardinals' top players include senior P/infielder Casey Henn (Wright State), who hit.396lastyear and senior SS/P Alex Vice (.319 BA, 2-1 with 0.00 ~in 17 IP last year).

10. Glen Este: Trojans coach Mike Hatfield, entering his second season, has some standout returnees in outfielders Andi-ew' Keller (.373). and.

Andrew Hord . (.351). Outfielder Randy Jones, I1IP Matt Marksberry and RHP Brandon Fuller are among other top players.

OHIO HIGH SCHOOLS Baseball OHSBCA All-State

Division I Lance Kingrey

RrstTeam

P Hilliard Darby P Turpin P Springboro Andy Lamping C St Xavier Brad Prewitt C Westerville South Zach Nowland !B Delaware Hayes Ethan Santoro IF Mayfield Colton Cattani IF Lakota East Caleb Wilborn IF • Delaware Hayes Mike Steinke IF Centerville Jeff Cola OF . Strongs~lle · Jimmy Brenneman OF Lakota West Adam Bailey OF Springboro Brad Yinger OF Sidney Jared Whited Utl. Fairborn ·Player of the Year: Ethan Santora, Mayfield

Ryan Marlin Chuck Ghysels

Coach of the Year: Bill Dreisbach, Lakota West Second Team Nate Smith P Lakota West · Josh Stidham Chirs.Eggl,eton Ryan Lavery Tim Polanski Bryan Miller Matt loth Cory Hough

P P P C C C IB IF IF IF IF . OF OF · OF OF Utl.

Anthony Wayne Broad~ew

Hts.

Mentor North Royalton Broadview Hts. Admiral King Springboro Bryan Beaver Lakota West Nick Hamilton Avon Lake Taylor Dimmerling Perrysburg Dominic Palumbo Westerville South Matt Anderson Massillon Jackson Mike Basil St. Xavier Chad Opalich Hudson Evan Shaw Delaware Hayes Blake Schmenk Perrysburg Locallionorable Mention: Greg Williams, Moeller; ~~.~~er: ~~~~~~~_r:~obbie lubanski, Turpin; Craig

: THE ENQUIRER

Collinsworth surprised by HBO show's cancellation· 'Inside the NFL' gave ex-Bengal broadcast start

By John KieseweHer j/iiesewetter@eizquirer.com The Associated Press/Paul Sakuma

Indianapolis' Peyton Manning · works out with the AFC team , in Honolulu, practicing for : Sunday's Pro Bowl.

·Notebook

Giants ·assistant ·won't coach Redskins The Associate¢ Press

"Inside the NFL," canceled this week by HBO liter 31 years, wasn't just another job to athlete-turnedannouncer Cris Collinsworth.

It was his first TV job, and basis for his Emmy-winning broadcasting career.

"So much of my career I can directly at1ribute to that show. That · show changed my life .a lot," said Collinsworth, 49, who taped the final "Inside the NFL" Wednesday. It repeats on HBO this week (7 p.m. today, 11 a.m. Saturday), and can be seen on HBO's on-demand channel.

Collinsworth said HBO "called and offered me a job doing features for 'Inside The NFU "the day after the Bengals cut the popular wide receiver during training camp in 1989.

Shortly after that, WLW-AM called and asked him to .do some "SportsTalk'' hosting around Bob

Trurnpy's schedule. Then NBC Sports asked him to be an analyst for some NFL games.

After doing features for a year, HBO moved him to the anchor desk for the weeldy NE'L show in 1990 when Turner Broadcasting offered him an NFL halftime show position. He later moved on to FOX Broadcasting, back to NBC Sports, and to the NFL Network.

Along the way he won eight national sports Eminys - including a record seven for outstanding studio analyst.

"A good part of what anyone liked what I did came from the HBO show. Not only did it give me a start, but I was able to make mistakes and learn from theih atHBO," Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth said· HBO's decision to drop cable's longest running TV series came as a surprise. He heard about it Tuesday, before flying to New York to tape what he thought would be the season finale with Bob Costas, Dan Marino and Middletown native Cris Carter.

Former hosts Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti joined them for the show, which featured bloopers and highlights froin past years. .

The Fort Thomas resident had remained with "Inside the NFL" as

WASHINGTON- With the . rising star from the Super Bowl · outoftherunning,theWashington Redskins spent Thursday · planning their next move. , Will their new coach be Jhn · Fassel? Ron Meeks? Steve Marl, ucci? Owner Dan Snyder has kept the process under wraps · since Joe Gibbs resigned Jan. 8.

One certainty is that the next . From Page Cl : Redskins coach will not be New ·· York Giants defensive coordina·.

He is looking for more, a1iotmore. : tor Steve Spagnuolo, who withHe has one season remaining on a : drew his name from considerfour-year contract he signed in ation Thursday.

March 2005. Houshmandzadeh is "His heart is in New York .due to make a base salary of $2.52 : City," Spagnuolo's agent, Bob million in 2008, and re-signing him to . LaMonte, told The Associated a multiyear deal was believed to be · Press. "He loves the ownership.

011 the Bengals' offseason to-do list · · He loves the players. He feels he But it hasn't happened yet · . has. to stay there."

"I'd like to get something done," The Giants rewarded SpagHoushmandzadeh said. "But there nuolo with a three-year, $6 milhas been no contact yet" lion contract, making him one of In the past four years, Houshthe highest-paid assistants in tnandiadeh has 32 touchdowns the league. among his 353 receptions. With two . Snyder spent the day conferconsecutive 1,000-yard receiving seaAssociated Press , ring with advisers to consider sons, he has 4,158 yards over the past The Bengals', T.J. Houshmandzadeh · his options following a month's four. has had two consecutive 1,000worth of interviews, a person fa.

Butnowisnotatimeforbusiness. yard receiving seasons. · miliarwith the selection process Houshmandzadeh is celebrating. · told the AP. The owner has said Ten family .members, including with the Eagles -was scheduled to ' he hopes to have a coa.ch in his wife and children, arrived Thurs- fly in Wednesday night , place by the end of the week. day morning in Hawaii. The game is ''We'll be catching up on old The person spoke on condi4:30 p.In:Suilday. He ha8 25 ffienils, · times,"· Hoiishlnandzadeh "Mid -of . tion of anonymity because the. including high school buddies and Matt Schobel, a 2002 Bengals draft ' club has preferred to keep dethree teammates; con\ing out choice. : tails of its search private.

Houshmandzadeh invited all of the · In practice, Houshmandzadeh is Spagnuolo, 48, became a hot . coachingcommodityduringthe • Bengals' receivers; Tab Perry, Anto- getting a lot of work in various roles. nio Chatman and Chris Henry took The AFC team is coached by San : Giants' championship run, cui' him up on it Diego's NorvTurner and his staff. : minating when his defense stiJohnson came in Wednesday.

"I like Norv's offense," Hoiishfled the New England Patriots in The two receivers played a season of mandzadeh said. 'They're using me al7-14 victory in the Super Bowl.· college ball together at Oregon State a lot They're lining me up outside EAGLES: Tight end LJ. Smith, in 2000. Johnson was the Bengals' and in the slot I'llget to go deep." who was scheduled to become a second-round pick in 2001, HoushThe other AFC receivers free agent at the end of the mandzadeh their seventh. In the past Cleveland's Brayton ' month, was given the franchise month - despite a 2007 compensa- napolis' Reggie Wayne ''"'IJu"u•~u•u. tag by Philadelphia. lion of $7,165,379 million, which, ac- Moss was supposed to Although Smith ·can receive cording to newly released NfL Play- Wayne. Now there's · offers from other teams, the tag e!'B Association documents, made Houshmandzadeh could · gives the Eagles seven days to hl!n the fourth highest-paid receiver In practice, he is cau;tm:tg match. A team signing him in the NFL - Johnson has talked from AFC would have to give up two firstabout wanting out of Cincinnati.

Manning, Ben Roe~thlisb~~rgt~r round picks as compensation. ''I think he will be back," Housh, Derek Anderson.

Ifhe signs with the Eagles, mandzadeh said of Johnson, who is ''Ifs not Carson · Smith will receive a one-year ur1der contract with the Bengals but they all thrc'w •m•ttv deal worth, the average of the through 2011. "Ifs a tough situation. I top five highest salaries earned know how he feels. You know how by tight ends. he feels. I know him even more."

49ERS: Quarterback Shaun Houshmandzadeh, popular with Hill re-signed Thursday, affirmteammates and opponents throughing his plan to compete with out the league, said he has been Alex Smith for the starting job hanging out with Browns Pro Bowlnext fall. Hill, a six-year veteran ers Kellen Wmslow Jr. and Josh who hadn't thrown a pass until Cribbs. Bills defensive end Aaron December, led the 49ers to vicSchobel was there as-a player for the tories. over the Bengals and AFC, and former Bengals tight end Tampa Bay :Uter replacing the Matt Schobel-Aaron's brother, now · injured Smith and Trent Dilfer,

Pro Bowl: Pleasure trip for Houshrnandzadeh

a

for his special Valentine certificate from SIA Spa. woman knows what she w""'··-~ so let her choosefromSIA's array of services: facials, care .treatments, couples and even a Chocolate IJ(jUJ~"''h/1

SIA Spa is the most spa in the area.

513-985-0777 8127 Montgomery Road siaspas.com.

". ... I was able to make mistakes and learn from them at HBO." Cris Colfinsworth

his schedule became more hectic.

During the · football season, he would go from NBC's Sunday night NFL game to New York to tape the HBO show, then fly to his Thurs- . day night NFL Net,work game assignment.

"I've had a few other opportunities that I've turned down over the years because I felt extremely loyal to the guY's at HBO and the show," he said.

NFL Films, which owns the show, might continue the show on another network this fall, wire reports say. Collinsworth said he might not want to give up time with his wife, Holly, and their four teenage children to do ''Inside the NFL" . again. . "My schedule is a little. jampacked. I don't know if I could take on anything else. There would be a lively debate in my household," he said. ·

C6 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY S, 2008

THE ENQUIRER

HIGH SCHOOLS ·.

KEY DATES

State basketball tournaments will be played at Value City Arena in Columbus.

The girls' tournament is March 6-8 and the boys' tournament is March 1345.

I

.

.I

HONOR ROLLS

"This is just a great game for us tdfinish the regular season with. We'llsee if we've iY,~;proved at all."

ENQUIRER

High school statistics from around the area 189 pounds

Wrestling Dillision I

School I. Moeller (15) 2. Elder 3. St.·Xavier 4. Mason

Borgstrom, Middletown Mincy, Mnmt Healthy

GIRLS Ashley Hite, Summit Country .

Day: In two games, the junior totaled 47 points, 17 rebounds, 10 steals and five assists. She averages 16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3. 7 steals a game.

Courtney Kust, CHCA: In three games, the junior totaled 66 points, 32 rebounds and 13 steals. She helped lead CHCA to a 20-0 regular season with her 16.1-point average.

Javonna Sadler, Shroder: The senior set a school record with 44 points in an 81-22 win over Miami Valley Christian and also had 15 rebounds and 10 assists. She averages 17.9 points per game.

Shelby Sheets, Fayetteville:· The freshman totaled 33 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals in two games (both wins), as Fayetteville clinched the SHL title.

LeeEtta 'Shepherd, NOIWOOd: The senior had 37 points in a 47-45 loss to Bethel-Tate in the first round · of Division II tournament play. She averages 17 points a ga'me.

(Afl games 7:30p.m. unless noted)

~filf!S!Or~

I BOY£

1. Moeller (18-1) beat La Salle 58-33 · Friday; at St Xavier today; vs.

Amelia/Walnut Hills winner at Cintas Center Feb. 18, 7:45 p.m.

2. St. Xavier (18-1) beat Elder 60-53 Friday; hosts Moeller today; vs. ~ngsjAndeiSon winner at Cintas Center Feb. 22, 7:45p.m.

3. Withrow (16·3)bea\Taft 76-52 Saturday; at Hughes today; vs. Mount Healthy at Mason Thu!Sday, 6:30 p.m.

4. Princeton (15·3) beat Colerain 85-72 Tuesday; at Middletown today; vs.

Western Hills/HarriSon winner at Cintas, Feb. 20, 7:45 p.m.

5. Elder (15-4) beat McNicholas 66-44 Tuesday; hosts La Salle today: vs. Lakota East at UC Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.

6. Oak Hills (14-5) beat Lakota East 50-36 Tuesday; at Hamilton today; vs.

Western Brown/Turpin winner at Cintas Center Feb. 19, 7:45p.m.

7. Fairfield (14·5) beat Hamilton 5446 Tuesday; at Mason today; vs.

LaSalle/ Northwest winner at Cintas Center Feb.l9, 6 p.m.

8. La Salle (11·8) lost to Aiken 67-62 Tuesday; at Elder today; vs. Northwest at Lakota West Wednesday, 6 p.m.

9. Middletown (12·7) beat Mason 73-63 Tuesday; hosts Princeton today; vs.

Hughes at Lakota WestThuiSday,7 p.m.

10. Winton Woods (13-5) beat Roger Bacon 62-52 Tuesday; hosts Loveland today; hosts Sycamore Saturday.

1. Taft (12·7) lost to Withrow. 76-52 Saturday; hosts Shroder Paideia today; vs. . N01wood at Ande!Son Feb. 16, 3 p.m.

2. Seven Hills (11·1) beat Holy Cross 69-65 Tuesday; at Summit today; vs.

CCD/New Miami winner at Loveland Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.

3. Deer Park (17-2) beat CHCA 62-58 Saturday; at Mariemont today; vs. Felicity Franklin/Blanchester winner at Sycamore Feb: 19, 6:30p.m.

4. North College Hill (12-7) beat Summit 65-60 Friday; at CCD today; vs.

SCPA/Reading winner at Sycamore Feb. 18, 6:30p.m.

5. Lockland (17,1) beat Gin. Chnstian 70-64. Tuesday; hosts CHCA today; at Cincinnati Christian Saturday; V5. Miami Val. Christian at Loveland Thu!Sday, 8 p.m.

6. Clermont Northeastern (16-2) beat N01wood 67-50 Tuesday; at Goshen today; hosts Bethel-Tate Saturday.

7. Roger Bacon (7-12) lost to Winton ·Woods 62-52 Tuesday; hosts Purcell Manan today; vs. New Richmond atAndeiSon Wednesday, 6 p.m.

8. Badin (10-9) beat Dayton Christian 45-44, Tuesday; hosts McNicholas today, 8 p.m.; vs. Northridge at Kettering Fairmont Thu!Sday, 8:30 p.m. · 9. Wyoming (13·6) beatTurpin 33-31 Tuesday; hosts Indian Hill today; vs. Taylor at Ande!Son Wednesday.

10. McNicholas (7-12) lost to Elder 66-44 Tuesday; at Badin today; V5.

Taylor/Wyoming winner at Ande!Son Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. ·

Taylor, l.Bf.;ota West

159 125

Fehrenbal'll, Turpin

113 110 107 i9 69

s. lakota West 6. Harrison (1)

At the conclusion mthe basketball season, we will crown the winner of the Enquirer Player of the Year . award. Each week, we will list five male and five female candidates for ourwatch list, and the winner will be · picked from those players. Coaches can e-mail candidates and relevant statistics to tgroeschen@enquirer .com.

7. Fairfield

8. Milford 32 9. Colerain 18 10. Princeton 16 Others: Western Brown 15, Hamilton 10. loveland 10, Sycamore 9, Edgewood 2, lakota East 2, Winton Wds. 1, Glen Este 1, Turpin 1, Oak Hills 1

School

Divisions 11·111

Points

1. Reading (11) 143 2. Btanchester(4) 130 3. Ros.<> 107 4. New Richmond 82 5. Clinton"Massie 66 T6. Norwood 53 T6. Madeira 53 8. Fmneytown 42 9. Roger Bacon 37 10. Betl1ei·Tate 32 Others: Wilmington 24, W~oming·18, UU!e Miami 15, Purcell Marian 9, Deer Pmk 8, Gosh~n 6

Division I individuals 103 pounds Name, School Corrill, Moeller Keeling, St Xavier Artrip, Mason Sarnecki, Loveland Schultz, Elder Shilling, Edgewood Selmon, Princeton Thomas, Lakota West Clolinger,· A.melia lowe, Fairfield

Michael Davenport (left) and Daniel Wulker are two of en port is second on the team with an average of 9. 7 points on 63.9 percent field-goal shooting.

r

24

21 7 8 21 13 5 20 3 12 19 6 II 16 13 4 14 7 7 14 13 5

WL Pins 22 29 0 12 26 3 7 24 I 7 22 1 7 2113 20 8 . 12 8 20 11 5 19 II 3 1611 7 14 6

W L Pins

Name, st;:hool Campbell. Anderson Shepherd, Mason Davis, Lakpta West Trauth, St. Xav·ler Wallander, Moeller Sams. Fairfield Cohen, Turpin Weiskette!, Oak Hills Picke!heiffier, Glen Este Francis, Lebanon

29 29 25 22 22 21 21 20 18 18

125 pounds

Two of the top three boys' basketball teams in the state will meet tonight, and one of them will end its regular season with a loss.

That's the upshot of tonight's game featuring Moeller at St. Xa· . vier, a battle of teams with 18-1 ·.records and a lot of history between them.

St. X, No.2 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll and No.3 in the Associated Press state poll, would earn a share of the, Greater Catholic League South Division title with a win.

A victory would give Moeller, No.lill both polls, a perfectGCL season for the. second time in coach Carl Kremer's 18 seasons.

"TIIis is a big game ·for tcyeir whole community,:' Kremer said of the Bombers. "Realistically, I think the cards are stacked against us. They have a big revenge factor."

Last season, Moeller beat St. Xavier three times, including a one-point victory at St. X and, most hurtfully, a 43-40 victory in the Division I state title game.

This season, Moeller won 6354 at home Dec. 14, meaning the 11 seniors on St. Xavier's roster haven't beaten the Crusaders since they were sophomores.

When the Bombers take their next shot at defeating them tonight, they'll be playing on Senior Night at St. X. ''This game would mean a lot to them," said Bombers. coach Scott Martin, whose team has won 14 games in a row since that loss to Moeller. "But either way, it's be~n a great season for these guys. Theywanta GCLtitle, they want that share of it, and I think that's where the intensity will lie for these guys."

Moeller comes in having won eight consecutive games since its lone loss, 56-45 to St. Benedict's ,of New Jersey, USA Today's No. 3-ranked team nationally: Moeller is No. 9 in the USA Today national poll. . The Cmsaders have won their last seven games despite

32 28 27 23 22 22 20 19 18 16

130 pounds

Enquirer contributor

7 7 4 13 9 9 6 9

10 9 2 9· 9 7

Name, school

WL 30 29 28 27 22 22 22 19

Anderson Peter, Western Hills Burgdorf, Milford Presley, Harrison Riffe,·Mason Taylor, Turpin Powell, Fa11fleid Green, Western BroWn l~ach,

Name, school Gorrasi, Elder Sparks, Hamilton Porter, Mason Smith, Oak Hills Schroeder, Edgewood Campbell, Harrison Mason, Princeton '"" Otmar, Moeller Alemagno, Sycamore Kennelly, Colerain

7

WL 26 24 24 20 19 19 19 19 18

Leland, Colerain

145 pounds

3 4 2 5 I

13 5 17 10 15 IG

Name, school

1

6 8

18 19 2

2 7

Difabritus, Mason Vaske, Turpin Krummert, Milford Galtagher, St. Xavier Fehling, Amelia Malicote, Middletown Norman, Mt. Healthy Calkins, lovelaild Shirley, Hamson Holtman; Moeller

Pope, Efcler

'They have some extreme qulckness on the perimeter, excellent perimeter shooters and great decision-making: That combination is what they're all · about now."

In the·first St. Xavier-Moeller game this season, the Cmsaders forced the Bombers into 16 tumovers, so reducing those errors willbeakeyconcemfortheSt.X backcourt, led by senior Brad Loesing. . Ifthere's to be a third MoellerSt. Xavier game this season, it again would have to come in the stlitechampionshipgame.Moeller is headed down a tournament path thatcould take the Cmsaders into the Columbus regional, and the only possible place the tw'o teams would' collide again would be the Division I state final. . For tonight, though, no one even is willing to think that far ahead. ''This is just a great game for us to finish the regular season with," Martin said. ''We'll see if we'veimprovedatall.It'sagreat test in that sense .... we get to finish \vith a team that is at the top of their game."

4

W L Pins

140 pounds

playing Quinn won't play partial stress foot.

"Frankly, it's me what our able to do," 'To not have Quinn .the wl1ole s~cond half of the season an· to be in position to go unbe ten i/1 the league for the first time I in 15 years, well, I really al•e my hat off to these kids. Th y've ~one a remarkable job."

I Moeller finished undefeated in GCL play under Kremer in 1994, the senior sea on of Moeller star Bobby Br en. ; There's no star of tl1at magriitude apparent in M eller's lineup this season, but e Crusaders are Iich in expe ·ence, with nine seniors on this earn:' The matchups, t ough, will change Without the foot'S MeDowell. on th~ cot . St. X already had a siZe a vantage on the front line, led b 6-7 senior Walt Gibler, and M ellerj often has turned to 5-10 j nior.Tony Ranis to fill McDo ell's spot.

"Harris is just an o ensive rnachine," St. Xavier's arti.ri said.

18 18 9 12 15 s 12

30 29 26 24 23 21 19 18 17 IG

135 pounds

Enquirer file

3 6 6 s 4 5 8 9 3 10

Flelds, lakota West Oadosk.y, Turpin Meyer, Elder Scheve, Hamilton Robinson, fairfield Hammer, Moeller

Ruffing, St. Xavier cumberland, Princeton Dillinger, W. Brown

with St. Xavier's Pete Zestermann in the ' title game) is Moeller's top scorer this tonight's rematch due to injury.

10 14 8 10 9 8 12 7 4 10

Name1 sc::hool

Yin, Mason

.

l

3 8 9 10 8 11 6 5 6

W L Pins

Name, school Pret~i. Elder Shennan, Milford Harger, Moeller Galloway, TJ.JJpin Stapleton, Lebanon Williamson, Colerain Woodall, Fairfield Wilson·, Glen Este Giffin, Harrison Whitney, Sycamore

By Carey Hoffman

10 6 18 6 14

24

119 pounds

2007 state finalists Moe and St. X, Nos.1-2 in area Division I poll, put 1 records on line today

s

27

Name, school Herrington, Sycamore Bauer, Westem Bro\vn Farber, St. Xavier McSmely, Edgewood Weathers, Mt. Healthy Kerchner, Hamilton Mi!:er, Lakota East MacVeigh, Moeller Gerberick, laKota West Green, lebarmn

.

LPins

W

112 pounds

7 4 8 9 6 10 11

14 10 l7 12

·WL

152 pounds Name, ~hoal

· Clements, Mt Healthy Gobin, Moeller carraher, St Xavier Barron, Haml!ton Arens, Lakota West BMI1er, w.Woods Lawrence, loveland Xu, Mason Rhcude, Turpin Pope, Elder

26 25 24 23 21 19 18

9 7 8 5 3 7

7

17 14 16 8 16 8

7

Pins

9

23

22 12 10 8 9 10 8 8 Pins 8 3 16 10 7 3

2 13 9 12 Pins 15 8 s 6 13 12 6 4 9 0

W L Pins 29 26 25 2S

10 8 4 10

24 23 21 21 17 16

5 2 12 14 17 7

2S 13 21 12 7 II II .8 12 6

160 pounds

Name, school W L Pins Ellis. Western Bro·.vn 303 II l(elly, Turpin 28 5 17 Childs, Glen Este .25 7 8 Torres, fairfield 24 3 15 Baggs, Sycamore 23 6 13 Maserang, Moeller 7 21 II Winters, Princeton 0 19 9 Bhangu, lakOta West 18 II 6 Adams, Lebanon 16 10 12 Hall, Milford 6 15 15

171pounds Name, school

.•

Taylor, Turpin r.

Ric!lardsOn, Ml Healthy Carey, Mason Hofmeyer, Elder Miller, lebanon Adams, Hamson Mati"lews, Fairfield · Slusher, Milf01d .

Hilton, MoeHer lew"1s, Middletown

32 2

Quehl, ML'Ci!e"r

Points

W L Pins 27 6 15 2613 9 2S 7 . 7 6 2S 13 23 s 10 7 23 6 21 5 10 21 8 9 21 i1 7 6 2112

Ward, Bethel-Tate

w

L Pins 33 2 16

Name, school

Enquirer area coaches' polls (Final regular•season polls}

BOYS Josh Claytor, Talawanda: The junior tot~~ led 48 points and 16 re. bounds in two games, .both victmies.

He is averaging 16.9 points and 7.2 rebounds a game this season.

Bill EdWards, Middletown: The junior totaled 61 points, 23 rebounds, four assists, four steals an(! three blocks in two games, both victories. ' John Runk, Anderson: The junior totaled 44 points, 26 rebounds, six steals and five assists in two games, both victories.

Louie Schaljo, Bethel-Tate: The sophomore had 32 points iri a 4947 win over Goshen. He is averaging 21.1 points a game.

Josh Volkerding, Harrison: The senior scored 40 points in a 62-58 win over Edgewood. He had been averaging 19.6 points a game, with· a previous high of 31.

;too, ,-;-

20

189 pounds

27 5 · 11 24 9 20 23 0 9

Kuh!enberg. Anderson Terry, Colt' rain • Allen, Hamilton

Farrell, Ed~ewood Godfrey, Glen Este

215 pounds Name, school

Scales, Ell~er

Star:fy, 1\luunt Healthy

Smith, Winton Woods Kent. Col~:·ain Strotman, Lakota west

285 pounds

n.

Name, school KJine, Mawn Myers, la:-.\lta West Carp!!nier, St Xa~·ier Klayman, Western Hills Brown, Wc.stem Brown White, Co:_,orain Curry, fair:lc-Jd Stcigewa~.l1, Anderson Brown, Loveland Smith, Wi~.·,ton Woods

pounds

Divisions II-IV individuals 103 pounds

Name, Srllool W L Pins Davidson .. :sethei·Tale 28 3 14 Andersko,,:, L Miami 28 7 11 Harrison, !~eading 27 6 s Dealon, 6iJanchester 26 12 II Keri, McNi1chOias · 22 9 8 Merritt, NC:H 17 11 12 McKemaP;, ·Ross 13 10 5 Hennegar.~. Purcell 12 8 s McCall, Wlflmington 10 9 6 Gulllem, F":oger Bacon 8 5 4

112 pounds Name, sclJool

119 pounds

39 31 27 23 22 20 18 18 16 13

125 PGunds

Name, sc.hoal James, N~~·I\I'ODd Carpenter., Madeira Clark, Re?o:"ding Hen1Y1 Ro~s Cumming,%, Finneytow•,) Owens, NtH White, Utt\c Miami Turley, W;.·~)ming Ross,.Wiil\;,ngt.on Cioca, B!cmchester

18 14 9 12 8

5

WL

Pins 24 22 14 13 12

3 3 5 6 9

21 20 19 17 17

11 9

13 12 14

Name, school

WL 27 26 23 22 19 19 18 18

4 8 13 11 4

1S 17

17 14 10

7

•

140 pounds

145 Pllurlds

II

g

6

16 19

n

20 5 t1 8 3 5 :

6

PinsD 36 2 26 26 7 15 25 7 17 23 12 10 21 5 17 20 7 10 17 11 10 16 13 9 IS 4 12 14 6 7

Howe, Blcn~cheSter Hayes, Ma.;.Jeira' Gamer, Fil;·neytOwn Napier, B~tilei·Tate Rackley, ~.J.ariemont Wic~.sliom . Wydmlng Meinl1ing, ~)urcell!

Huber, Nor<hweSi

i

Rh;:timond

152 Pllu~ds

IV L

Name, school !

Runyon, 8\anch1ester Boreing, D.;.:cr Pari< Coo, Norw(')Od Richman, Wyoming Howard. N-~H : Brookins. FnneYtown Angevine. ::i:ead!ng .Hunter, L1tt·:'! Miami Craycraft. Bcth8t.Tate Smith, NJ?',,. Ric~mond

29 28 27 22 20 19

6 3 8 12 11 10 17 12 IS 8 15 II 14 17

j

Pins 21 24 II 13 12 II 2 4 12

7

194 20 2 31 41 41 29 39 40 40

190 189.7 186.8 186.6 183.3 182.2 181.3 180.1

School 1. lakota East 2. Fairfield 3. Mason 4. AnderSon 5. Tmpin · 6. Badin 1. Cincinnati CountfY Day 8. lakota West 9. Seven. Hills 10. Hamilton

17

Vault

Name, school 1. Esler, Mason 2. Gordan, Fairfield 3." Roessler, Sycamore 4. Ollthie, Lak. East 5. Sprague, Fairfield 6. Derickson, lak• .East 7. Deans, Turpin 8. Fields, Mariemont 9. wanes, Mason T1U. Rohne, Sycamore T10. Owens, lak. East 110. Fyffe, Anderson

Uneven bars

W L Pins

~

Nealan, N, Richmond Meyer,· Re;.:·ding: Colvin, Fin:·eytoWn Steruz, Ro*.;r B~con· Hinkle, Pur·.::eJI Marian Adams, B;,::ne!-Tate Briley, Llttl-:' Miami

32 5 31 I 26 6 2S• 7 22 4 22 s IB 8 18 13 1711 16 12

Domette, Norwood Slater, Sur.·:mlt: MOck, Mar:•::<mont

171 pounds Name, school i

WL

Martineck, N. Richmond· Sanford, Fir.incyfown Childers, M•onme • Richardsor:, Blahchester Zinser, Rog1C"r erlcon Acus, R'eru:iling (

For complete honor rolls~ go online to Cincinnati.Comjp'reps ·

34 28 25 25 17

3 5 4 14 7 15 9

mdyer@euquirer.com

Wrestling

While the Deer Park boys' basWhat's signi:fic t abo~t Moore, ketball team has garnered a great who has 79 career · s, is he defeatdeal of attention because of its first ed some of the 200 state placers in league title in 39 years, the Wildcats' various events, Bo ing ~d. wrestling team also has produced Moore's victori s · inClude the interesting storyline.

Deer Park Greg Ro ers ~vitational, . · · After missing last season due to a ·along with events t Madeira, Fentom anterior cruciate ligament, wick and New on: Deer Park senior Wyatt Moore is "If he would hav wrestled his ju34-1 with 20 pins at 215 pounds head- nior year, he'd be\ ell over 100 (caing into the Cincinnati Hills League reer wins)," Borein saidi meet atlO a.m. Saturday at Reading.

Boreing's son, senior Scott Bore"He has come out just like he nev- ing (152), also has been impressive. er missed last year," Deer Park · He's 28-3 with 24pi/ls and is ranked coach Dale Boreing said. first in the CHL in IJlls weight class.

an

I

.

LEAGUE MEETS: Several league meets are this weekend before sectional tournaments start neXt week.

Ill The Fort Ancient Valley Conference meetis Saturday. The Buckeye Division is at GlenEsteat9 a.m., the Cardinal at Kings at 10 a.m. and the Scarlet at Northwest at 10 a.m.

II The Greater Catholic League tournamentis at 10 am. Saturday at Dayton Carroll.

Ill! The Southern Buckeye Conferencetournamentis at noon Saturday at Western Brown.

Ill! The Greater Miami Conference meet is 10 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hills.

1111 The Miami Valley Conference

meet will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cincinnati Country Day. I· 111!1 The Cincinnati Metro Ath1etic Conference tournament is 10 :a.m.

Saturday at Western mils.

I POLL CHAMPIONS: Moeller an:d Reading. are Enquirer area coac:hes' poll champions. \ In Division I, Moeller; the preseason favorite, received 15 firslcp!a~e votes. Elder was second and St. vier third.

I ''We are ·honored to be recognized as the poll champion," Modller coach Jeff· Ghler said. "It h~s shown the consistency of our prbgram over the years." · !

In Divisions IT-III, Reading re-

xa-

7,1Q~Y 7,25Q ·•;.

7,20~~--

1~~1n7~~ 132.65:.

129.ssc_ 124.521}_ 121.3'5·.' iti~2-''

116.35-:r.

108.85,':1 94.45~·J

72.9""

.,

Poi11iS"r 9.25 .'j 8.J5·~

8.6'' 8·.!vJ

8.35:-' 8.3!;.'

8:3-'

8,s..

8.2,!;.

8.2ij...

8.2;1,; 8.<,~,.

;,lt,-

Po.ints':

1. Hindle, Lak. East 2. Fields, Mariemont 3. Roessler, Sycamore 4. Deans. Turpin 5. Fyffe, Anderson T6. OBhrfe, L.ak. West T6. Jones, Lak. East T6. Wanes, Mason T6. Sprague, Fairfield

B67s; 8:6,

Balance beam Name, school

1. Gordon, Fairfield 2. fields, Mariemont 3. Duthie, Lak. East 4. Barrie!, Fairfield 5. Owens, Lak. East 7. Wanes, Mason

TS. Suto, Fairfield 19 T8. Jones, Lak. East 18 T8. Fyffe, Anderson 18 19 9 Name, school 1. Gordon, Fairfield IB 2. Fields, Mariemont 12 3.

Barrie!, Fairfield 9 4. Duthie, Lak: East 13 10 -, 5. wanes, Mason 6, Derickson, lak. Easl T7. Jones, Lak. East Pins T7. Owens, Lak. East 20 T9. Oehrle, Ulk. West 17 T9. Hmd!e, L.ak. East 12 16 8 Name, school 8 1. Duthie, Lak. East 2. Fields, Mariemont 3. Gordon, FDrifietd 4. Wanes, Mason 5. Sprague, Fairfield 6. Jones, Lak. East 7. Owens, Lak. East 8. Fyffe, Anderson 9. Hindle, tak. East 10. Roessler, Sycamore

Floor

· All-around

Healthy Moore do sn't miss a beat in return for Deer Park

By Mike Dyer

3,87·9· , 3,800• ·• 5,8&2· ..

7,65'8 · 7,65"1·· 5,317 ' 1

Name, school

6. Sprague, Fairfield

160 pounds

,. ·

Avg. G Pimi:,

.205.3 16 3,284A·~

Gymnastics·

9 12 12 9 10 IS 14

WL

Name, school i

I

Individuals

W L Pins

Name, School!

Cloran, M::deira 34 I 26 7 Sexson, r1. Ric~mon~ Disbennett., Bethei·Tate 26 7 Price, NCH 1 20 8 Bragg, Cin, Christian 20 9 Hodge, Wi~mington 17 10 Waits, UW.l! Mi3mi .

16 13 Mitchell, fUrceli 14 10 Henson, ~-ss ; II 14 Budi, Alter i 10 7

66'..

Name, school Ruppen, C-J Oehler, McAuley Sct1mitzer, Wilm.

Gaw, CSrm!l Guzzi, Wilmington Yoder, Wilmington Kettler, Seton Butscha, Mercy Studer, W.Wbads Kellerman, Amelia

14

lB

.v~~·

rf/·.•,

5

Pins

. ·\'r··;

2. Seton ( 1)

Pins 14 18

WL

Na_me, Scboo'i

Pin·v,

6,09'! ;:.

3,944·"!

6,270"": 4,714,·.

7,476:f; 7,836:':1 7,346 ~ 8,993 ·;·, 5,21:-0 :..c 7,918· ·. ·,

3. oak llil!s (3) sJ: .•.

4. Wilmington 5. Winton Woods 5$.'1.

6. Mercy .4,4_·:;, 7. Princeton 3!L 1 8. Northwest 31" ,1 9. Mount Notre Dame f6.;.

10. Falrfield ~3 ~ Others: Mason 11, Harrison 10, Amelia -1 9, Lakota East 9, St Ursula 8, Badin T,.·; Roger Bacon 6, Glsn Este 5, Ursuline 3,·:1 Hamilton 2, Colerain 1. Wy'aming 1 - J

B

Daniels, 1':. RichmOnd 27 s Conrad, RiJSS i 26 6 Semmes. Rea~ing 2S 6 Bragg, Cin. Chrlstian , 24 8 24 9 Ada~s, Uttle Mrami 23 10 Raabe, Reger Bacon Payne, A!t;r 22 4 19 10 Walker, Gcsheri Baker, No;wood 19 20 17 7' Eichenberger, ~urcell

27 18 29 22 35 37 35 43 25 38

Enquirer area eoaches' poll ;11,.• School .

Poin~~'" I. McAuley (6) 8'5'...

IS II 13 7

6 II 7 9

Avg. G

225.8 219.1.

216.4 214.3 213.6 211.8 209.9 209.1 208.4 208.2

Girls' bowling

8 8 9

17 9 13 17 18 II 7

Go online

Name, scflool Lipps, Oak Hills Kingsolver, Mason 'BISck.,.NCH Foster, Fairfield Ryan, Hamilton Brinsan,·Gten Este Wilson, Hamilton Mousie, Northwest" Allen, Mason lane, Anderson

6

17

Unger, Ross Schaffer, Roger Bacon Gliszcznsf\i. Goshen Bruewer, Deer Park Samad, N. Richmond Bishop, B:;;.nchestcr Dikeman. NCH Hug, Finney;:own Rasfeld, r-.~cNicholas ·

Name, schoal

Individuals . ...

7 5 4

I 6 7 4 6 7 '4 13 10 13

35 31 26 22 22

130 pounds

~;;k;;;~~;~'

6; '

Others: Colerain 6, Wilmington Ande!Son 5, Amelia 5, ·Hamson 3•. · Moei!Br 1, lakota East 1 .·u ~

W L Pins

Name, scllool Alsip, Non.vood Panna, Bt;,nchester Wilfiams. \V"yoming Carpenter, Madeira Henderso;1, Mariemont Johnson, f~eading Jimmy, fl.·h~nroe Kelly, R1Mii1ng Hill,_Utt!e Miami · Usborne,. \\'ilmington

Ne•:~·

Boys' bowling

Enquirer area coaches'·poll -~~ School PointS.'/ I. Oak Hills (8) 80 ,, 2. Hamilton 59 · · 3. St Xavier 5~- ' 4. Mason 5.~ · 5. La Salle 5tl" 6. Fairfield M' · 1: Elder 38"' 8. Northwest ~6~~ 9. Sycamore 1~' ~ 10. Glen Este \L

W L Pins

Yea!)', Re;::sjing 29 3 Dennis, M•.::NicholaS 27 6 Pelry, Ne·~o~ Richmond 25 9 P,ddis, Nc.:-wood · 23 11 Rehrer, A:·:sr 16 7 White, ur~i:; Miami 16 13 Baldl'lln. Pi.•orthwest 13 6 Dawson. T.a!awands 12 7 Hartl<.e, Wyoming 12 9 Sayer, Mariemont 10 9

Heflin,

8.

,,·.

2-15 pounds

Banks, Etlii0WOOd McCornmrK, Mason Krimmer, Glen Este Hill, Sl Xmier Miller, La~:ota East

Cox, NOf\V(\Cd

-a·"

6•" ·a··.

Name, school W L SmiU1son, Blanchester 25 14 ·23 3 14 Welling. Readln·g 24 8 23 9 13 Maglecic, Norw-ood 21 15 21 9 0 Branson, N. Richmond 20 12 19 5 11 Lear, ShrodcrPaicleia 13 9 19 8 H • Fisk, Purcell Marian · 12 8 19 8 5 Morris, Talawanda 12 17 Miller, Goshen 11 6 W L PillS Cowman, Wilmington 10· 8 Giar, Bethci·Tate 10 17 32 0 22 25 1 14 22 II 13 Name,·sclluol W l Piti~v> 20 6 3 Moore, Deer ParK ·34 1 20" 19 9 11 Geller, New Richmond 26 9 15''• 18 7 6 s·choolfield, McNlcholas 25 7 16C,' 14 Walker, Wilmington 18 H 24 7 4" 16 13 10 Sims, Shrader Paideia 22 6 22~:.

15 II 0 Craig, Ross 21 7 16 :,.

15 17 B Prewitt, Goshen 18 13 1~ ,.

Shoemaker, Blanchester 18 17 n ..

16 2 W L Pins Dunn, Finneytawn 16 12 1)' 32 1 23 ·aush, Monroe 28 7 20 285 21 5 16 Name,' school W L Pi~~-·.·, 20 2 · 14 Smith, BlallCheSter 33 5 ~~.-20 10 10 Bose, Reading 12 .,.

27 7 19 6 I Holcomb, Wilmington 26 3 2)" 19 7 15 Macke, Deer Park 23 .9 i~:' 18 10 13 Morris, Tal<iwanda · 15 .,, 22 9 17 12 8 Harris, Roger Bacon i~·,, 22 II 8 Wilmes, Norv.·ood 14 9 21 8 1~0 ~ 18 17 12! q Bradley, little Miami Clift, Goshen 15 12 1il ., Josl1, New Richmond 14 9 10 "'

Tumlin, Ha;Tison

i

IS 10 15 15 13 16 10 9

Cagle, Ross Wiles, Norwood Famble, Northwest

8.5'1> 8.5s" 8.525• 8.S .. .8,5.'

~f :lit..;.,

PolntJ·' 9;2-''

9.05....

8.95·'

8.92S"

ss~i:,

8.8 ~

8."6"~ 1

s:s·~l

8:~,

Poiqts, 9.2··

9cf·~ 8.925•. !

8.925·· B.S> 8.8~'·

8.a· B.if

8c7Jl.' B.;:p:·

Pohiis ~ 34.6'S ;, 34:4,75,, 34.p5,, 33.6.'.S' 33.62_5:; 33.5S ' 33.525·;~

33.3ip'e 33.225,)

33}"

.,

ceived 11 first-place votes. Presea<: son favorite Blanchester was sec"~ ond with four, and Ross was third.:;.: "Our seniors have been throug!:(· a lot together and have grown into' some fine young men," ReadiW. coach Dick Engel said. "They have: been great leaders this year in ot(t.; practice room and on the mats." , STATE RANKINGS: Moelle.i:'· (third), Elder (fourth) and Lakota~· West (eighth) are in the Division:}~ state coaches' poll. :,: ·; Elder coach Dick McCoy said his -• squad is eager for the postseason.. ·~ "I like that my kids are always:· ready to go at this tinie of year," M~,·:.

Coysaid. ''

i

---~-~---~~~~ __l __,_

-........-.-~-----~ ............... ~~--~~---·_..,_..._..,._

__

' .:._~·-~---~-----~------

:1

FOOTBALL

THE ENQUIRER

I Ohio State notebook

Underdog role >~nits Buckeyes -F;lopped as favorites against Florida

By John Erardi jerardi@enqttirer.com

Online

Enquirer. ·NEW ORLEANS- The Ohio reporter John State Buckeyes already are loving Erardi is iii New the underdog role, and they've Orleans. as the been here only since Wednesday. Buckeyes pre'That just makes your team pare for Moncome together even more," said day's national receiver Brian Hartline. "If you championship don't, that's when you kind of get game against LSU. Get updates and emban·assed. . . . If anything, analysis on his blog at Cincinnati tha(s just going to help us coming .Com.- Search: Buckeyes . into· this game (against favorite Lbu.isfana State in the BCS title game)."

Hartline's remarks carne in the doWn the road and they get in the OSU news· conference Thursday car and try to follow him and then that also featured offensive coordi- he goes off the road and they · nator Jim Bollman and OSU play- crash. er'l Chris "Beanie" Wells, Kirk "As far as my running laps Barton, Brian Robiskie and Alex around the city (Thursday night), Boone.

I'm probably going to have some "Ithinkwhat's better about this people chasing after me with their year," Boone said, "is last year ev- flags and stuff. But that's kind of ezyone was like, 'Man, you guys whatit'slike .... Youknowwhere are going to win (against Florida) .. , you stand when you're in LouisiYoti got guys like Troy (Smith) ana, because they .. . love their and Gonzo (Anthony Gonzalez), Tigers down here." you have all these superstars, you URBAN HAUNTS: Florida coach can't lose.' This year, it's like, Urban Meyer, a former St. Xavier 'Wlm do you have? You have HighSchoolsecondarycoach,put Beanie and James (Laurinaitis) - his finger on it last year when he · thafs great, but who else?' said the difference in the Gators' . "I think this year we're -just a ability to upset the Buckeyes in blue-collar .team. No one knows ilie 2007 BCS Championship who we are. We're just playing for Game stemmed from the ability of ourselves, and that's the mind-set ilie Gators' defensive line to presright now. , .. 'This year, (we're be- sure Troy Smith, the OSU quarteririg told), 'You're too slow; you're back. · not 'going to makejt; you don't hit If LSU can duplicate that with hard enough.' We've been taking pressure on OSU QB Todd Boeckpractices up anotherlevel and run- man, the Buckeyes. are going to nirig and hitting as hard as we can, have another long mght. and Ithink it's going to be differ~We all know about (LSU defenent" r;ive tackle Glenn) Dorsey being . ·Barton was asked if he had seen very, very tough inside," Bolli,rian · all the LSU flags around town. roaid. "And I think he's probably Was he was aware "how much of a the best person that we've played non~neutral site this will be" at the against all season as an inside Louisiana Superdome Monday? player.... These guys (the Tigers' Why, of course, he noticed.

D-line) are- very quick and run ''I mean, it was kind of like in really well on th_e outside." (the movie) 'Rocky IV when IsLSU'sD-lineevenbetterthan (Rocky) goes to Russia, gets off Florida's? the plane and the KGB is with ''Youknow,comparabletoFlorhim," Barton said. "My favotite ida, I don't know," Bollman said. scene ... is when he's running "But they're much bigger."

The Associated Press;J. Pat Carter ·

an interception 60 yards for a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the first quarter.

r surprisingly strong defense vs. Hokies VIrginia Tech's Justin Harper · (81) cele- · . brates an 84yard punt return for a touchdown along with teammates Matt Finnegan (85) and Eddie Royal (4).

The Associated Press; J. Pat Carter

Brennaman: Preparing

kick. .

Kansas split a tackle wide again Otherwise, Kansas' special when Reesing completed a pass to teams played well. Joe Mortensen convert a fourth-and-1 situation, 11 minutes left. blocked a.25-yard :field-goal atterEpt which led to a touchdown for a 17-0 Quarti~i&jT~ddlReesfugscored'.- topresetvea17'14-Kansaslead:T!ne lead:· Reesirig hit-Marcus Henry Jayhawks pulled off a fake punt to· with a 13-yard pass for the score, also had an inter- keep one drive going, and Kyle . capping a 59-yard drive. up a field goal, and Tucker's booming punts kept fue But that was the Jayhawks' lone Tavfl1awks totaled :five sacks Hokies pinned deep. scoring drive of more thanl7yards; The game was among the chilli- leaving most of tl1e· big plays to "+'"',. u•" only two scoring est Orange Bowls ever, with a tern- their defense. The biggest was by drove 78 yards to perature of 57 degrees at kickoff Talib, who steppedinfrontofthein: mlliautl~s left on Glen- and winds' gusting at up to 25 mp,h, · tended receiver to intercept fresh 7 to Justin Harper.

The Jayhawks were the nation's man Tyrod Taylor and ran along lnt~Ja:ma·wKs Ralrnond Pendleton highest-scoring offense this season the Virginia Tech sideline unensuing onside kick, at 44 points per game, and thev touched for a touchdown, the first put the clock. · took a wide-open approach in the interception return for a 1D in the Tech's biggest gain first series. Once they lined up with ·Orange Bowl since 1968. special. teams. Harper both tackles flanked wide alongVrrginia Tech came into the an 84-yard punt return af' side the receivers, and on another game with the more heralded dea Hateral on a reverse play Reesing threw a left-handt~d fense, but the Jayhawks had four .

Royal, who fielded the shovel pass; for a 9-yard gain. sacks in the first quarter.

for . OSD-LSD·. game From Page C1

ular season; it gives you a chance to watch every game these teams It's his second straight year do- have played, to read a lot and get ing the title game. familiar with them. I've learned . · Brennaman, 44, had been here more about how to get prepared since Dec. 28 in preparation for · tl1is go-round than ever before: aoriouncing the Sugar Bowl Hopefully, it shows up in the tele(Georgia vs. Hawaii) on New cast.''

Year's Day. Ifnotforthe quick trip The prep pays offthemostifthe home Wednesday, his scheduled gamegetslopsided,hesaid.Itwas stint here would have been for 11 true last year when Flotida built a · days, probably enough time to big lead early against OSU in the have a sandwich named after him BCStitlegame, and it was true this somewhere. year when Georgia walloped Ha. LSU was supposed to have waii in the Sugar Bowl. open practice Thursday but 'They both got ugly early," he closed it at the last minute, Bren- s:lid. · namim said. Despite that, an audi- , Brennaman received a plum as· ence was granted at the LSU hotel signment earlier this NFL season forBrennaman and the FOX crew when he got to announce an offiwithhead coach Les Miles, two co- cialNFL game fu England. The difordinators · and five players of ference between the pro game and ·FOX's choosing. college game is striking when it ·''(Today) isageneralmediaday comes to road trips, he said. sowe'lljustgothroughabunchof "It was fun for me (in Engfilm work at our hotel," Brenna- land)," Brennaman said, "but the man said."And then, on Saturday, professional game is a different we'll do Ohio. State's practice at world- and I do mean professionthe Superdome and then meet al.ltisajob,veryserious,verybutwith (coach Jim) Tressel and the toned-down. Not that the college I;Wo coordinators and five players game isn't But there just .isn't at the hotel- and wrap it up with a much in the way of fooling around praduction meeting Sunday night with two teams over there." arid go get 'em Monday." . Did he manage some sight-seeSo, Brennaman has "the prep" ing? Sure did, said the Anderson down to a' science now?

High grad. ·"Not really," he said, "because!

"My wife was with me and we haven't done that much foothall. did the double-deck bus tour like This. has actually been good for every tourist who visits England," me·- I'm forced to get ready for he said. "It was the only sunny day two games in six days -and with wchad.Wepicked therightdayto the break since the end ofthe reg- do it-;- the day after the game."

:

wvu

ings in the past three seasons but was fired Monday along with Ravens head coach Brian Billick and his ent(re.staff. Ryan is on the list of candidates for the Baltimore head coaching job and is expected to interview in Atlanta, as well, for the Falcons' top position. It is believed the Berigals are willing to wait until next week to see if Ryan will be available to discuss their coordinator'sjob.

"The Ravens, an AFC North rival of the Bengals, are believed to be focusing initially on assistant coaches from playoff teams, including Dallas offensive coordinator Ja1.. .•. son Garrett aild assistant head L~-c~ach~~~~ Sparano, !ndianapolis

assistant head coach Jim Caldwell and New Englci.nd offensive coordi· 11ator Josh McDaniels. Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is on Baltimore's wish list of candidates, too.

Coyle, who ~d not return phone messages left this week at his Paul Brown Stadium office and home, !has no experience as an NFL coor· tdinator but was in charge of defense8 in five college programs -three

of thein Division I schools.

Coyle has been a member of the Bengals staff since 2001.

Coyle was defensive coordinator for :five college teams: U.S. Mer· chant Marine, 1981; Holy Cross, 1986-90; Syracuse, 1991-93; Maryland, 1994-96; Fresno State 19972000. Then-Bengals defensive co-

I

•

salary totals $4 million, the same amount West:Vrrginia is seeking in a buyout of the seven-year contract, worth ahhost $2 million a year, that · Rodtiguez si@ed in August.

Stewart w~s appointed intetim coach when Rodriguez left Dec. 16 to coach Michigan. West Vrrginia formed a searth committee that, according to atHletic director Ed Pastilong, interviewed "a large number · of candidates~.'' Central Michigan coach ButchJbnes, a West Vrrginia native, .was donsidered a leading contender, but the coJIJ.rilittee had its eyes on all along.

"In reality, i was being inter· viewed every " said Pastilong,

Bengals: Coyle, Ryan on early From PageC1

•

College foptball notebook

oversaw a nra-matk irr\provement in the l'errapins. deJfen!>~.

At Syracuse ....,.,...-.,u, '92 defense led · ceptions (24) and cord for fewest

who has known Stewart for neariv four decades. "I heard somebody say that last light he had the ultimate interview. But he always was one .of our most serious candidates." · Pastilong called Stewart to his room in the wee hours Thursday to ·offer him the job. Stewart has not signed a contract but agreed to terms with a handshake.

"I don't have a lot of expetience in these negotiations and things.

That's my agent right down there." he said, pointing to his wife, Karen.

Stewart had the backing of the team, inCluding Pat White. "He deserves it," White said. · MIAMI: Defensive end Calais Campbell said he'll skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

Campbell is one of two Miami players to leave early so far, joining safety Kenny Phillips. Both are projected to be first-round selec, tions in most mock drafts.

Miami has had a,t least one player chosen in the first round of 13 straight drafts, a record, and the Hurricanes have· sent 47 firstrounders into the draft since 19Mby far the most of any school.

BALL STATE: The school will break an 11-year bowl drought Saturday when it faces Rutgers in the International Bowl in Toronto in a matchup of 7-5 tean1s.

'There have been 10 senior classes that didn't quite get there," said inside linebacker Mike Dorul: la, a senior. "It's pretty special to be part of the one that made it."

:___.-

C4

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2008

FN

iii

'I:

THE

1

I

'!

HIGH SCHOOLS

STAT OF mE WEEK The Lakota West ~rls' basketball team has won 11 consecutive games to start the season . .The Arebirds are averaging 66.5 points and allowing just 37.5.

THE ENQUIRER PLAYERS·

HONOR LLS High school statistics, from around the area

OF Wrestling Division 103

THE YEAR

Name, school

Corr!U,_ Moeller Artrip, Mason Schultz, Bder

112

Name, school

McSore1y, Edgewd Herrington, Syc,

At the conclusion of the basketball season, we will crown the winner of the annual Enquirer Player of the Year award. Each week, we will list five male and female candi" . dates for our Watch List, and the · winner will be picked from those players. Coaches can ·e-mail candi. dates and statistics to tgroeschen@ -enquirer. com.

Wlfllamson, Kings

Bobby Capobianco, -Loveland: The junior is second In the Fort -Ancient Valley Conference · in .scoring (18.2 ppg), first in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and second in blocked shots (2.2 bpg).

1111 Walt Gibler, St. Xavier: The senior was MVP of the Monticello (Ky.) Holiday Classic, as he averaged 21.7 points and .6. 7 rebounds in three games. · 1111 Ori Harrison, Deer Park: The · senior helped lead Deer Park to a 9-1 start, with averages of 18.7 points and 12.6 rebounds a game.

1111 Quinn McDowell, Moeller: The senior made the all-tournament team at the Bojangles Shootout (N.C.), as he averaged 14.7 points and 5. 7 rebounds a game.

1111 Jake Terry, Clermont Northeastern: The junior averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists in leading the Rockets to a 7-1 start this season.

GIRLS Marla Bennett, Anderson: The senior leads the Fort Ancient Valley Conference in scoring (17.1 ppg), 3-point field goals (32) and free-throw percentage (.882). · 1111 Amber Gray, Lakota West: · The senior averaged 25. points, including 31 in the championship game, as she was named MVP of the three-day Kroger Holiday Clas$iC at Pickerington North.

1111 Channing Hillman, Mount Notre Dame: The senior leads the Cougars in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (7.4 rpg) and steals (3.1 spg). She is second on the team in assists (3.4 apg). ·· II Elizabeth Sunderhaus, Badin: The senior averaged 18.4 points and 11.5 rebounds- Including a 36-point, 14-rebound gnme to lead Badin to an 8-3 start. .:, II Olivia Temmel, Wyoming: The junior averaged 13.2 points and 11.6 rebounds in helping Wyo- . ining to an 8-1 start this season.

1111

I''

,

:TOP 10 OUTLOOK " (All games 7:30p.m.

unless noted)

,.

1. Moeller (10·1) lost to St Benedict's {NJ.) 56-45 Saturday; at No. 8 La Salle today; at McNicholas, Jan. 11.

2. SL Xavier (10·1) beat Warren Centml (Ky.) 92·53 Saturday; at No.3 Princeton Saturday (exhibition); atAtter, Jan, 11. ;J. Princeton (7-3) lost to Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.) 65-62 Saturday: hosts No. 9 Middletown today; hosts No, 2 St Xavier l)aturday (exhibition).

4. Withrow (7·2) lost to American Prep ,71-66 Dec. 22; hosts Hughes today; at Woodward, Jan. 11.

5. Winton Woods (5·4) lost to Mason 67-50 Friday; at No. 10 Loveland today; hosts Colerain Tuesday, 6. Elder (9·2) beat West Minster 72-65 Saturday; hosts Carroll, Jan. 11; hOsts No. 8 (in DII·IV poll) Badin, Jan. 12.

7. Fairfield (10·2) beat Mason 54-50 Wednesday; hosts Milford Monday; at No. 3 Princeton, Jan, 11. · 8. La Salle (6·3) beat Hamilton '55·49 Friday; hosts No, 1Moeller today; hosts Oak Hills Tuesday.

9. Middletown (6·5) lost to St John's Catholic 68-66 Sunday; at No. 3 Princeton today; hosts Colerain, Jan. 11.

10. Loveland (7-2) beat lakota East Friday 55-47; hosts No. 5 Winton Woods today; at No. 10 (in DII-IV poll) McNicholas Tuesday.

1. Lakota West (11~0) beat Pickerington North 56-45 Sunday; hosts No. 6 Colerain Saturday; at Middletown, Jan. 12.

2. Mount Notre Dame (9·21 beat Seton 70·24 Thursday; vs. Chaminade-Julienne, Sunday, 4:30p.m. at Wright State's Nutter Center, hosts Mercy, Jan. 10.

3. Oak Hills (8·2) beat\Vinton Woods 58-47 Friday; hosts Middletown Saturday, 2 p.m.; hosts No.5 Mercy Tuesday.

4. Winton Woods (7·1) lost to No.3 Oak Hills 58-47 Friday; at No.10 Glen Este Saturday; hosts Trotwood Madison Monday.

5. Mercy (11·1) beat McAuley 57-38 Thursday; hosts Hughes Saturday, 6 p.m.; at No. 3 Oak Hills Tuesday.

6. Colerain (11·2) beat Mount Healthy 62-41 Saturday; at No. llakota West Saturday; hosts lakota East, Jan, 12.

7. St. Ursula (7·5)beat Ursuline 55·44 Thursday; hosts Seton, Saturday, 2 p.m.; at No. 7 (DII-IV poll) McNicholas Monday.

8. Princeton (7·4) beat Fairfield 63·60 Wednesday; at lakota East Saturday, 2 p.m.; at Mason Wednesday. ~- Wainut Hills (9-1) beat Northwest 65-49 Thursday; hosts Kings Saturday; at Turpin, Jan. 12.

10. Glen Este (8·3) lost to Turpin 44-42 Thursday; hosts No. 4 Winton Woods ~aturday; hosts Amelia Wednesday...

15 13 12

3 4 6

W 14 10 10

0 0

5 6

4

7

17 13 12

Davis, Lakota W.

125

Name, school

W

Pretty, Elder Harger, Moeller WoodaJI, Fairfield

18 12 10

130 .

Name, school

1111

L Pins

w

Name; school Campbell, Andr.m

BOYS

w

119

Shepherd, Mason

L Pins

I 3

9 2

Hammer, Moeller

14

4

5

W

L Pins 4 7 4 I I 7

135

Norman, Mt H!thy

13

Meyer, Elder

13

Fehring, Amelia

12

140

W 14 13 10

Name, st:bool

W

Schroeder, Edgwd Gorrasi, Elder Spaiks, Hamilton

14 13 12

152 W 16 14 14

160

Name, school

W

Torres, Falrlleld

171 W

Name, 5CI!ool Hafmeyer, Elder Carey, Mason Mathews, Fairfield

16

L Pins 1 8 3 6 4 2 L Pins ' 4

5

3 5

8

4

L Pins 10 9

L Pins

13

5 3 2

W

l Pins

14

189

Name, school

4 4 8

Allen, Hamilton

13

3.

Farrel!, Edgewood

13 13

.4

Taylor, lakota W

Moeller coach Jeff Gaier relishes the opportunity for his Crusaders team to face some of the state's strongest competition this weekend in Wadsworth.

Gaier said Moeller continues to improve steadily after winning the 28-t~am event at the Zac Jarzynka ·-Tournament in Oviedo, Fla., and the Southwest Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association Classic..

According to Gaier, the Florida meet featured three state-Champion and three state-runner:UP squads.

Locally, the Crusaders are . ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Divi-

L Pins 3 3 4 4 2 7

14 · 2 12 1

Ellis, W. Brawn

215

Gobin, who has 121 wins, needs just ll to tie the school career record.

Gaier said having his team wrestle outside the area during the holiday break helped sharpen the Crusaders' focus. ''You don't see the same guys (from area opposing teams)," Gaier said. ''You Have a chance to get better and not worry about who you are wrestling. There were a lot of matches and all quality competition."

Moeller and Elder will be the area Division I representatives in the State Dual Meet starting at noon

L Pins 12 6 4 7 5

D

W

Name, school Arens, Lakota W Porter, Mason Gobin, Moeller

mdyer@enqttirer.com

6 4

15

. 145

But Moeller first must tackle hard _league schedule

L PillS I 8 0 5

15

Difabritus, Mason . Pope, Elder • Peter, W. Hills

Home-court a~tw•antage all-areawingMc;Dowell (14.9ppg), who has signed with the College of GCL South teams Wtlliam and Mary. la Salle meet twice Forward Daniel Wulker (Christian Brothers), a 6-foot-6 senior season, and Moeller who averages 10.3 points per la Salle's gym in sevEml VElars. game, and wing Michael Davencording to lanrcers stati~ticians port (9.8 ppg) are next on. the

By Tom Groeschen is the recent histmy Moeller scoririg list Davenport, a tgroeschen@enquirer.com have met at La Salle: 6-4 senior, has brnerged lately _with Moeller senior Quinn McDow- Jan.13, 2001 a 24-point, 12-rebotmd game atthe cent win at la Salle, ell said it was no disgrace to lose to Bojangles event USAToday'sNo. L-ratedboys'bas- saders score the last La Salle cdach Dan Fleming ketball team last week The Cru- and hold la Salle to saw many of his key 2006-07 playsaders reveled in the experience. the fourth quarter after ers graduate, including all-area "It was awesome," McDowell after three quarters. guard J?obby Austin. Fleming al- · said. 'Thatwaswhywewentdown 2002 - Michael Selm i ways has liked to use his bench, . there, to ·play those kind of er with 15 seconds left but this season the lancers are not games."· as deep as in the past only lead· of the game Fans lined up two hours before ers win 57-55.

But. La Salle remains dangertipoff last Saturday to see Moeller, . 2003 - la Salle wins ous with 6-7 juniorforward Danny the Ohio Division I champion, face McElroy, whq committed to the St Benedicfs of Newark, NJ,, in 2004 -Justin Orr hits University of Cincinnati before his the championship game of the Be- with seven seconds sophomore seflson and is averag- . jangles Shootout in Charlotte, Lancers win 52-51 ing 16.9 point$ and 8.3 rebotmds N.C. Moeller lost 56-45, the Cru- ly ranked Crusaders. pergame. , saders' :first defeat this season.

"He's done veJ:Y well," Fleming "Playing that kind of competisaid of McElroy. "Last year, he had tion can only make you better," so many guys arotmd him to help said McDowell, who made the allout. Tills year, as soon as he gets tournament team. the ball he's got two or three guys Moeller beat No.9 USA Todayon him right away.'' . rated lincoln (N.Y.) 57-55 at the Senior forward Brendan Jones · Bojangles event, and the Crusad(9.3 ppg)' and junior guard Jordon ers also defeated Miller Grove Crawford (8.8 ppg) are La Salle's (Ga) 51-48. Miller Grove features other most consistent scor~rs.

Mfon Udofia, who is .rated by · Fleming said Moeller must be Rivals.com as the No. 5 point considered "the decided favorite" guard in the 2009 class. despite La Salle's home advantage Now the hard part Moeller vison Bill Cady Court La Salle's gym its Greater Catholic league South is the smallest in the GCL South, rival La Salle at 7:30p.m. today for and the atmosphere is especially the teams' :first of two meetings ·_ amped for league games. this season. Moeller has not won utu>reclict:l!bilMcDowell said Moeller is used in La Salle's gym since January to that kind of pressure, especially 2001, according to Lancers statistias state champion. The Crusaders cians. hope to· becoine the first Cincin"We always have a tough time nati-area school to repeat as Ohio over there," Moeller coach Carl big-school state basketball· chamKremer ·said. ''Il'll be a packed pion since Elder in 1973 and '74. gym. EveJ:Y road game in the GCL '1bafs the ultimate goal," South is tough. We're going into· McDowell said. "Every day, every that irinder, heading toward the practice and eveJ:Y game goes into end of the season." preparing for the state tournaThe GCL South is rated the ment All this competition hopefulcotmtry's No. 1 boys' basketball ly gets us where we want to be league in the Calpreps.com power again."

L Pins

Yin, Mason

Name, school

CRUS for another state championship

9 10 4

Fields, lakota W.

Name, school

2008.0103.13.Moller- Moiler High School player Quinn McDowell in the Center and Daniel Wulker

I

Name, scJJool Scales, Elder Quehl, Moeller Banks, .Edgewood Name, sch.ool Kline, Mason

W 16 14

13

4

8 12 7

l Pins 0 9 3 5 0 10

W 17 15 10

lakota W Cuny, Fairfield Meye~.

l Pins 0 14

5 5

II 8

11-111 103

w

Name, sch'ool .Deaton, Blancllstr Harrison, Reading

14 13

112

w

Name, school · Dennis, McNich

17 13 9

Reading

Yeary, Pet!}', New Rich

ll9

w

Name, school Alsip, Norwood Panna, B!anchstr Williams, Wyoming

16 15 9

125

Name, school James, Nmwood Clark, Reading

w 15 12

130 Name, school Hug; Anneytown Unger, Ross Schaffer, R. Bacon

135

Name, school semmes, Reading· Bmgg, C/n. Christ Daniels, New Rich.'

140

145

Name, school Howe, Blanchester

Cox, No!Wood

l Pins 3 8 0 9 2 3 l Pins 0 7 I 7 3 5 L PinS I 10 I 6

w

L Pins

4 2

w

L Pins· 2 6 3 7 I 7

w

4

5 4 5

L Pins

II II 9

3 4 I

w

L Pins

16 10 9

Rackley, Mariemnt

·t Pins 2 7 2 3

II 10 8

II 11 10

Name, school Bragg, Cln. Christ.

Se~on, New Rich.

Dlsbennstt, B-Tate

0 I 0

3 9

4 II 7 •8

152, Name, school Runyon, Blanchstr Conr<id; Ross Adams, B.-Tate

W L Pins 14 · 2 II

160

Name, school Meyer, Reading Nealan, New Rich Colvin, Anneytown

Martineck, N.Rich Sanford, Finnytwn Rlchardsn, Blnchst

Name, school

2 I

w

L Pins 0 9 2 9 3 7

w 14 11 10

189

WeiUng, Reading Smithson, Blnchstr Magteclc, Norwd

w

12 II 9

215

Name, school Schoolfield, McNich Sims, Shrader Shoemakr, B!nchstr

Name, school

10 9

13 12 12

171

Name, school

W 12 11 11

285

Smith, Blnchstr Bose, Reading

Newell, Shroder

'W 14 9 8

5 9

L Pin• 2 7 4 5 6 7

Avg Klngsolvr, Mason 240 Upps, Oak Hills 232.8 227.6 216.7 Ryan, Hamilton 216.6 Lane, Anderson 215.7 Foster, Fairfield 215 213.3 LaFrance, Syc. 212.3 Srinstfn, G. Este 211.6 Wilson, Carroll 211.2 Sheldon, Falrfld 210 Allen, Mason 209.1

Black, NCH Weber, StXavler Stittcl, Fairfield

206.9 20 4138

Sherrill, Elder Wilson. a-!amltn

206.7 20 4134 206 17 3502

Winelnd. OkHIIs

206.7

3

205.6 13 2673

Gl'rls' bowll'ng

DoilnmY,•r, M<Auly

Guzzi, W:•ilm,

Butscha,, Mercy Beagle•. IG. Este Ca!lagh~n. Wyo. Denny, ~1arrs'n Kel!rmn,, . t;melia Kettler,_ $eton

Schneic,r, Badin Bumett,,;Mercy Ridings.,:Princtn

190.9 190.7 182.7 181 179.2 178.7

178.1 178 177.1 176.9 176 175.8 175.1 174.3 17 4.2 174.1 173.3

16 3054 20 3813 16 2923 4 724 6 1075 19 3396

· 7 20 -18 15

8 8

L Pins 2 5 I

9 4 8

G .2 15 10' 18 17 19 9 9 8 14 17 5 15

Pins 480 3492 2276 3900 3682 4098 1935 1920 1698 2962 3591 1050 3136

Yanzsa, lakota East Wunderle, Mason

2:15.04 2:15.,49

2:13.93

SO freestyle

Time 23.96 24.52 24.59

Name, school Jansen, Mason Weaver, Colerain Kao, sycamOre Tanner, ursuline Bl!fow, Mercy Norris, sycamore

24.72 24.87 24.98

100 butterfly

1247 · -

nme

·

57.69

58.13 59.68 59.93 1:00.25 1:00.45

100 freestyle

17 2962 14 2437 Name, school 12 2080, Jansen, Mason Billow, Mercy

1:40.93 1:41.62 1:43.13 1:45.57 1:45.70

SO freestyle Springe.:, Xavier

Time 21.75 22.03 22.10 22.11 22.20 22.29 22.33 22.60 22.6f

Name, 3;Chool . .

St. Ransenbcrg, St Xavier Bmbier~.• St Xavier Scttnur,,'Oak Hilts Contl, WlilmlngtOn Supror";s, Mason Hanche~. Sycamore

Koeni~ "'1oeller

Joyce, Miason

20ij freestyle relaY

Name, ~hool St Xavifi'Jr Mason Oak Hill~

1:27.84 1:29.22 1:31.58

.

~

Time 52.17 53.97

Name, ~hool BarbicrCl,·St Xavier LaligFort!J,·Mason Columb.tllS, St xavier LawJey.. ~t xavier

Schneiqrar, La sane He!nserli,:St Xavier

Time

Name, school . .

Yanzsa, lakota East Tabor, Lakota East RidgE!, St Ursula McDowell, Ursuline Eberly, Ursuline

Time- , - :5:09.30 5:10.01 5:12.32 5:14.95 5:16.80

School Ursuline Mason Sycamore Mount Notre Dame Seton

1:39.66 1:42.24 1:43.83 1:44.47 1:45.74

Wunderle, Mason 5:20.52 0 2 0 freestyle relaY

1imc

100 backstroke Name, school Time Jansen, Mason 58.04

Tanner, Ursuline Lennon, Loveland Wunderle, Mason -Conners, Sycamore

59.03 1:00.34 1:00.76 . · 1;01.19 _

1:43.76 1:44.25 1:44.46 1:46.19

Conklin, ursuline Ishee, UrsuRne Currin, St Ursula Jansen,·Mason Kairi, Oak Hills

1:06.96 1:07.33 1:07.40 1:08.86 1:09.48

1:46.29 1:47.75 1:47.75

Scbool Ursuline

Moeller 1:33.40 Ridge, St U10u/a 1:02.66 · Sycamorre 1:33.49 100 breaststroke love lane!

1:35.38 Name, school Tune . · :200 freestyle Rom, U•uline 1:06.50 Time

Evans,.~ilason

Name, 'tehool Howe!l,_ll•iloeller

Time

1:55.46

Xavier

2:00.78 2:01.31 2:02.06 2:02.70 2:02.89 2:03.03

100 butterfly

Name, !f..ctlool Smit, St.-Xavier Ba!bier.'t, St Xavier Hart, lai\\ota west Hanner., :SycamOre Langfor~'i, Mason Howell, ~\!loeller Louis, &-.. Xavier Hines, hylor

'

Time 51.61 52.51 52.92 53.42 53.62 54.36 54.98 55.05

100 freestyle

Name, school Barbier~. St Xavier Hanner, Sycainore Ransenb!Jrg, St Xavier.

Langfo!"C, Mason Hart, lal':ota West lawley, St. xavier Splinge:\ St Xavier

Time

48.10 48.61 48.74 48.88 · 49.34 49.38 49.43

500 freestyle

Name, school Barbie~, St Xavier Lawlcy,.St. Xavier Columbl2ls, St Xavier Howeii,.!Moeller Evans, ~·Tt3son Kotwycl1;, 'Mason Miller, St. Xavier Koch, Lallmta West co.natt;. St xavier .

Time 4:39.46 4:44.09 4:44.23 4:44.44 4:46.47 4:48.76

3r40.07 3:46.37 3:52.29 · 3:53.20 '

St Ursula lakota East

U

Butler, T·."iroin Kao, Sy(~·ffiore Howell,. ~iloeller lindley, r\llason Wray, £/Qier Hanson,, 'Mason

2oo freestyle

Name, school

2:09.34 2:09.53 2:09,58 2:15.68 2:16.80

Name, school fiSh, Indian Hi!!

Richards, Lockland Jones, Taylor lewis, Wilmington Irwin, Cincinnati Christian Clifton, Wilmlngum

Time 2:10.02 2:26.41 2:26.99 2:27.12 ·: 2:39.48 2:42.63

Allie, Taylor - 2:18.33 200 ind. medley

50 freestyle

100 butterfly

Henges, Purcell Marian Richards, lockland Bierman, Cincinnati Christian lewis, Wilmington Wallace, Fenwick Junes, Taylor

Elder DIMassc,, Sycamore CieslaK•. !Uikota West Cushenam, Milford GiUespl~:, ·La Salle

214 210.1 186.35 180.55 176.35

Girls' swimming Division I 200 medley relav

1:06.52 1:08.87 1:10.31 ~

Indian H!ll Taylor Cincinnati Christian

1:53.25 1:55.23 1:57.89

Dadosky, Purcell-Marian Bruce, Fenwick

1:52.24 1:55.89 1:56.16 1:56.63

Time 5:39.43 5:59.31 6:02.78

.

1:53.14 1:53.39 1:56.37 2:00.87 Time 1:08.34 1:09.32 "1:11.40 1:11.73 1:12.77 1:13.21

lliO breaststroke

SL u~ul;a Lakota West

nme

58.49 1:01.63 1:02.33 1:02.42

100 backstroke

Name, school· Richards, Lockland Mersch, Taylor Stlckelman, Fcnwlcl( McKell, Indian Hill Johnson, Wilmington CUfton, Wilmington

Time 1:51.11 1:51.97

200 freestyle

Time 57.46 58.19

Time

School Wilmington

Mason

PANTHERS ON PROWL: Ellder, ranked No.2 in the Enquirer !POll, finished sixth of 44 teams in !the Brecksville Holiday Toumameuit.

It was the highest finish for Elder at th~ tournament, according to Panthers <mach Dick McCoy. "It was even tougher than ever before," McCoy said.

Senior Tommy Pretty (125), who had 18 seeded wrestlers in his weight class, pinned his way

1:04.71 1:06.16 1:06.30

Alden, Wllmlnii!On 6:09,84 200 freestyle relay

Name1 school Ash, Indian Hill Frlt!,·Jndlan Hill Leichty, Purcell Malian Jones, Tavlor '

Stmday.

"I think it will be a good duals (tournament)," Gai~r said. "We always want a shot at (Lakeworod) St. Ed's; it will· give us a gaug~ of where we are statewide."

·

Time

500 freestyle

Time Name, school 3:14.24 . Henges, Purcell Marian 3:17.56 Jones, Taylor 3:23.29 Richards, Lockland

lhomt:r:u~••

Name, ~hoof Jansen, ~1/iason McDowei!!, Ursuline Radke, l.IJrsul!ne Yanzsa, lakota East

Time 25.67 ·25.93 ,·, 26.11 26.71 27.47 27.76

Name, school

relaY

l·meter diving Score Name, ~hool Kelly, Eloer 263

Sycamo,.

Time

Henges, Purcell Marian Fritz:, lndlsn HI!!

Richards, LOcKland Stickelman, feilwick lrv1in, Cincinnati Christian

Leichty, Purcell Marian lewis, Wilmington Bierman, Cin Christian Richards, Lockland Bierman, Cln.Christian Wallace, Fenwick

3:25.52 3:26.27 3:29.32

Ursulin~

2:06.49 2:09.25 2:10.04 2:"10.45

100 freestyle

Albers,.~,qoeller

School

lime

School Indian Hill Taylor .

Wilmington Fenwick

Time 58.99 1:01.20 1:01.42 Name, scllool 1:01.58 .Lewis, Wilmington 1:02.02 Bierman, Cincinnati 1:02.14 Christian 1:02.28 Richards, Lockland 1:03.77 Wallace, Fenwick ' 1:04:46 lr...,in, Cincinnati Christian 1:04.47 Wood, Taylor

Hewes,. ~i!ason Upar!, ~.:.-Xavier Schwars, St Xavier

Score 223.09 219.85 201.05 ~, 182.65 174

Division . · 200 medley relav

Name, school

10()-breaststroke

Name, tichool

1·meter diving

Name, school oorger, St ursula Dorger, St Ursula Grote, Seton OiMasso, Sycamore Ruff, Sycamore

4:51.42 4:52.43 Time 52.07 53.78 54.87 55.84 55.85 55.91 56.03 56.05

Barbien::,-St Xavier Smit. St. -Xavier Hanner, Sycamore ScllneidJer, La Salle Spurtln(Ji, "Turpin Neack, St. Xavier.

Dressmgn, St Xavier Columb~·rs, Sf. Xavier

Fairfield

fime

3:38.89

Mason ·

4:50.19

1010 backstroke

·Name, s::hooJ

401() freestyle

400 freestyle relav

1:57.83 . Fairfield· 1:59.56

Hcwcs,.lMason Barbier.e~, St Columb~Js, St xavier Albers •. ~~oel!er Schwar:tt St Xavle·r Upari, S'..t. Xavier Hart, lal!{ota West':.

Smit, Sf<.:xavier

lakota \l(IOSt Moeller

1 5

Time

2:07.47 2:08.61 2:11.39

3560 ·\ Name, sc:hool 3188 Tanner, Ursuline 2653 Jansen, Mason 6 1056 Westrick, Fairfield 17 2988 Billow, Mercy 21 3677 Pitner, Ursuline 12 2092 Kilo, Sycamore

Mason SycamcJ:'c Moellei La Salle, Lakota West

L Pins

L Pin• 4 7

200 ind. medley

Name, school Jansen, Mason Tanner, Ursuline Westrick, Fairfield

SWI'mml'ng, Westrick, Faimcld . 54.01 Boy'",' ~~ Tanner, Ursuline · ~.22 ~110 medley relay ~;~:,~~~~~~~~n"'---- · 5!:~; School Ti'me SOO &-:.style . : - =StXav1~t 1:37.24 II~

I 5 5

3 6 7

1:58.71 1:59.32 1:59.96

Eberly, Ursuline

Pitner, u~uline

Avg G Pins Rosegro,"t, Wyo. 235.3 4 941 Oehler, McAuley 204.7 13 2661 Ruppe,t C·J · 202.8 10 2028 Ga·H, C;;:moll Yoder, Wi!m.

Jackson.. Carroll Lynn, swcamore Blamer,. McAuley Studer, '~Ill. Wds

Ridge, St. Ursula

Tabor,l:akota East

620

Name, $Chool

School St. Xavi~x Mason Sycamor.e

Boys' bowling Name, school

9 1882 208.4 14 2917

Mclnto.<.\ OkHIIs Monyoy, Kings

21(0)0 ind. medley

285

Divisions

Schnei\'s, Moellr 209.1 Juschka, wum.

Richards, Lockland

Time 1:12.54 . 1:14.82 '1:17.57 1:18.57

1:22.55 1:23.21 · 1:24.53

400 freestyle relav

School · Cincinnati Christian Fenwick Wilmington

Taylor

tune 4:16.64 4:21.69 4:27.04

4:45.26

through the tournament, ·McCoy said.

"He looked outstanding," McCoy said. "He beat multiple state placers and qualifiers along the way."

Junior Orlando Scales also won the tournament (215 potmds).

STATE RANKINGS: Moeller, Lakota West and Elder are ranked in the top 10 of the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association state Division I poll.

The Crusaders are ranked third bEeldhin? Mankassilldo~ Purtheny anhil? SLakt.

Ed'tas. ensr e 10 ,w e West is fifth. · o In Division III, Blanchester is ranked ninth. _

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Besides the mannerisms, the Rahals also share some commonality with their first wins. Bobby's also came on a temporary road course that also was an airport cir- · cuit (Cleveland in 1982). But Bobby was 29 when he got his first win. · · "This day and age, it's completely different than when Dad started, because when he started you couldn't even drive unless you were 21 or something. He started way later," Graham Rahal said.

'Thafs why I always feel lucky because, you know, I'm sitting here at such a young age, and I've always tried to just tell myself I have to kind of envision where "I will be at their age. I'm tryillg to sit back and just try to build up as much knowledge and everything as I can.''

Young drivers such as Rahal, Marco Andretti and A.]. Foyt N, with last names familiar to even casual fans, will be looked upon to help bring open-wheel racing back to the stature it enjoyed in the '70s and '80s.

"You're excited about the future moving forward, and it's ironic they're now challenging the old guard with the Castroneves, the (Dan) Wheldons and the (Tony) Kanaans. If. thafs an old guard, those guys are probably young 30s," said Brian Barnhart, IRL pres. ident of competition. ''It shows the depth of the field and the excitement moving forward. When you've got those types of names, you feel there is going to be an emotional attachment the fans are go- The-Associated PreSS"/Paul Kizzle -ingoto be ableto make to all of your" competitors and have a reason to became the youngest open-wheel race winner root for someone, and thafs going qurg last week in his first lndyCar start. to he an important aspect moving Winners of first lndyCar start forward."

Rahal will take the weekend off Driver Race,Year OWS* · before he heads to Long Beach for the final Champ Car race. He will Buzz Calkins Orlando, 1996 0 then race at Kansas on APril27 beJuan P~i:J!of\Aontoya lndiarrapolis;2ddo · 25 Scott Dixon Homestead, 2003 39 · - fore preparations begin for the Indianapolis 500. . · @l"atici ri @hal st: PeWri;i:Juig, 2()()8/14 After Long Beach, the next six races are' on ovals, meaning the Champ Car drivers will have to get up to speed quickly. t:ike advice from ing to join the IRL in 2003.

But for Graham R;lhal, choosing "Our setups are already good, phenomenal race. which series to go til was an easy ourcarsfeltgoodandsolidandstaeend." ble, butit's a different deal (racing lis one of the nine decision.

"For myself, I w&1 always a road on ovals)," Rahal said. ivers joining the He also won't let the win get to 11' Champ Car last racer, so to be in Champ Car was · ed four top-three the logical choice," he said. "And his head.

"As hard as I work to be out here ; fifth in the point growing up and being around circuits like Cleveland and Mid-Ohio and winning races, you know, ing his pro career and all these places, you want to be when I go home, I'm just another so had a frorit-row part of it someday. To be where we kid. Thafs something I always trY ,: open-wheel split are now, obViously, where we can to keep in mind," he said. 'Trust :Bobby Rahal was have all of these types events me, if I weren't, I'd hear it from my ter of Champ Car (street courses and ovals) are mom and dad and everybody else. ·ears before decid- things we need in a unified series." That's just the way it is."

'ssi not letting up criticism of his .

I

We1dnesday, Ganassi ackno~ledged he held a rouna-tatJie meeting with his struggling team two ago to discuss how to correct 'problems that plagued his NASCAR racers this season. Those included Dario Franchlttl missing Sunday's Texas. · face it, I said some things in the paper I wasn't satisfied with our performance, feel that way," Ganassi said. "If you can't a race, that's pathetic. So we had a meetminds." who was with his IRL team for a two-day IIIUI~IIoiiJUII~ 500 media-availability SeSSiOn, deelaborate on details of the meeting. He did devised a new plan for this week's race how it goes," he said. I get much worse. ' I Montoya, a former Indy 500 winner, is top driver but is 19th in the points standmore than 300 behind leader'Jeff Burton. Reed , another driver for Target Chip Ganassi, is and, like Montoya, fi,hished two laps

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UfiFICIALDEiliTH: Brienne Davis, one of· few full-time female inspectors, was killed accident Tuesday night. She was 28. joined NASCAR in 2004 and traveled every to inspect carburetors and manifolds. She wa~qsclhedUied to work this weeken.d at Phoenix lnrPrriRm'""' Raceway. are deeply saddened at the !loss of NASCAR Cup official Brienne Davis," · said in a otR1·1>m<>nt. "She was a key mem ' of our team of nonloet,nro·Ann Will be miSSed."

guests of the Diamondbacks .

"I consider it our local obligation to play · The Associaied Press host to those from the industry," Moorad Auto racing and baseball: two sports said. that couldn't be more different in shucBut all this synergy was definitely not ture. planned, and almost accidental.

But as an owner in both professional Moorad and Garfinkel bought controlleagues, JeffMoonid isthriving in the f>lmi· ling interest in the racing team in Septemlarities. ber from its original owners, Troy Aikman 'There'saclosenessinNASCARth<Jtin and Roger Staubach. The Hall of Fame some ways I didn't expect because ot the quarterbacks formed the team with three separation between the governing l)ody other partners in 2003 and entered their and the teams themselves," said Moolrad, car in NASCAR's top series in 2006. part of the ownership group·of the Ariz,.ona But the quarterbacks handed over conDiamondbacks and the No. 96 Hall! of trol to a new ownership group that includFame Racing entry in NASCAR's top edMoorad,aformersportsagentwhohad series. a lengthy relationship with Aikman.

"But there's a camaraderie that eximts in As the former executive vice president the industry that I liken to my time int.Ma- of Chip Ganassi Racing, Garfinkel spent jor League Baseball, or even the NFL." · five years managing NASCAR and openMoorad will bring both sides together wheel organizations for the team owner. this weekend when NASCAR races at He left in 2006 to join the Diamondbacks Phoenix International. Raceway. It began but yearned to return to NASCAR. Wednesday when J.J: Yeley drove his race · Buying majority irtterest in the strong car out of the right-field bullpen along the single-car team gave him the opportunity, warning track at Chase Field, then threw and he's introduced Moorad to a new out the first pitch against the Dodgers. sport. It's been an eye opener to a racing Yeley's car also will sport the Diamond- outsider whose experience in sports had backs' lOth-anniversary logo on its wheel been more traditional. ,well during Saturday night's race as the 'The most unique difference is the faownership group strives to link its two cus on the on-track performance and how ,products. Diamondbacks COO Tom Gar- it stands separately from the business of finkelis Moorad's partner on the NASCAR NASCAR," Moorad said. "... NASCAR al: team. lows an opportunity to- in a baseball sense · Members of at least eight NASCAR -to focus on the team in the field alone and J§ams will atteru:lgafu.es this weekend"'as"'--'-"-"ig""n:.::o:.:re::.:a:::ll:.:e:::l:::.:se:::..'_'______ --~-..!.--'

.By Jenna Fryer

.,

least they made it onto the track Sunday. Franlast year's Indy winner, has struggled to make ~,A,,.;,;,,n from Indy cars to the heavier stock in his rookie NASCAR season and failed to the starting grid this past week .. · 1 did say Wednesday the ,drivers were not fulll,lrelmOJ1sibdP. for the sub-par performances. !think we were a little bit at fault Pn111nPmm (Franchitti) a car to qualify," "We're a better team ithan that .. ."

Former Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie 1 bifa 'f\ranalyst with ESPN and ABC for ' qualifications and race•. will-miss sitting on-the grld,thear th_e af!nouncer's booth is pretty good," Wednesday. · Indy winner retired after the 2002 seareturned for a limited schedule of races in he was 13th in his final start at Indy. be an analyst for ESPN's coverage of qual- . mc,mnr••May 10-11 and May 17-18, Garb Day on 23, and for the ESPN on ABC coverage of the May 25, working with lead an~ouncer Marty and analyst Scott Goodyear, another former In-

In the spotlight

NASCAR ownership group links racing and baseball

I

11111l'IAN!APilLIS - Chip Ganassi i~n't backing away criticism he leveled 'at his own team

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CS THURSDAY,

APf~IL

10, 200i;

THE ENQUIRER

TARS I

BOYS' BASKETB DIV. I FIRST TEAM Michael Davenport, Moeller The senior averaged 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.5 assists. He was second team all-state and first team all-district, and was GC,L South defensive player of the year.

.

cnru~ratn

lations, winter stan~outs!

DIV. II-IV FIRST TEAM·

rer presents its winter sports all-star salute. ition for Ohio-area athletes begins here, with continues with girls' basketball, swimming '"'"'ctlilr>6 and bowling on pages C9-12.

Quinten Rollins, Wilmin1gton · The sophomore averaged 16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals.

He was Division II special mention all. state, first team all-district and FAVC Card ina I player of the year.

Kyle Rudolph, Elder The senior averaged 14.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks. He was third team all-state and first team all-district, <Jnd was GCL South player of the year for the third consecutive season.

Greg Ross~ McNicholas The senior averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 assists. He was Division II honorabte mention all-state, second team all-district and aii-GCL Central.

Bill Edwards, Middletown The junior averaged 16.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals. He was special mention all-state, firstteam all-district and GMC player of the year.

l

. Jake Terry, Clermont N'eastern The junior averaged 15.6 points, 6.2 as~ sists, 2.2 steals and 2.0 rebounds. He was Division II second team all-district and Southern Buckeye Conference-American player of the year.

Walt Gibler, St. Xavi.er The senior averaged 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks. He was special mention all-state, first team all-district and aii-GCL South.

Jorian. Hudson, Roger Bacon The sophomore averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists. He was Division II honorable mention all-district and aii-GCL Central.

Bobby Capobianco, Loveland The junior averaged 20.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.4 steals. He was honorable mention all-state, second team all-district and aii-FAVC Buckeye.

Quinn McDowell, Moeller he senior averaged 14.1 points, 5.3 re. bounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 assists. He was honorable mention all-state, second team all-district and aii-GCL South. .

.

Justin Steugerwald, Oak Hills The senior averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds; 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals. He was honorable mention all-state, second team . all-district and aii-GMC.

Orlando Williams, Princeton The junior averaged 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals. He was honorable mention all-state, second team all-district and aii-GMC.

~:==~.;.;--=

. __. · , ·-·

~···"'r-=-'-·•'-"cc=·-. ·"c~····- •~-----:---

Brad Loesing, St. Xavier

The senior ~veraged 13.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1. 7 steals. He was third team all-district and aii-GCL South.

Brandon Baker, Milford The senior av,eraged 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals. He was third team all-district and FAVC Buckeye player of the year.

Chane Behanan, Aiken The freshman averaged 20.2points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He was third team aJI-district and all-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference ..

Ori Harrison, Deer Park

Yancy Gates, Withrow

senior averaged 21.2 points, 10.8 reLogan Schroeder, Badin 1.9 blocks and 1.7 assists. He was The senior averaged 18.4 points, 6.0 re"~"''1!1'--.La""'u Press Division I state player of the bounds, 2.9 steals and 2.5 assists. He was Southwest Disttict player of the year and Division Ill third team all-state, first team all- · L,ffi¢lllltlatl Metro Athletic Conference player of _ district and GCL Central player of the year.

I COACH OF THE YEAR offormer coach Bill Brewer in coach Andrews led .....,.,->--7';<'----,.·.., ......., rand a district championship.

II PLAYER. OF THE YEAR All~~euo

Benton, Taft

II COACH OF THE YEAR Divisions The Sen-

The sophomore averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals.

He was third team all-district and aii-FAVC Buckeye.

Jack Smith, Hughes The junior averaged 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He was honorable mention all-district and all-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference.

nett; Milford -Mark Bryant, Tyler Aiken- Darren Goodson, Jordan Smith; Amelia Spencer Cox, Diercks; Moeller- Tony Rack, Daniel Wulker, Tony Harris; Mount Willie Tansey; Anderson -John Healthy - DeSean Aagg, Blair HarRunk, Nick Truesdell; Colerain dy; Northwest- AJ. Frazier, Jimmy Tyler White, ian Gordon, Keith Cox; Kimmey; Oak Hills- Ross Renken, Edgewood- Xavier Fugate, Nate John Streicher, Alex· Rogers, Jake Thomas; Elder -Josh Jones, Alex Welch, Andrew Wessels, Anthony . Proctor; Princeton -Jordan Sibert, Marquis Home, Stefon Johnson; St. Meyer, Fairfield - Elik Armstrong, Xavier - Ryan Shiverdecker,. Steve · Damon Taylor, Jon Wilkerson; Stefanou, Danny Whelan; Sycamore Glen Este - Sam Olberding; - Scott Dennis, Steve Hull; TalawanHamilton- Marquis Powell; da -Josh Claytor, Jeremy LaGarde, Hughes ~Jack Jackson; Lakota Andrew Aint, J.D. McDaniel; Turpin East - Daniel Lyons; Lakota - Andy Cruse, Craig Cantor, Aaron West -Jordan Hicks, Brandon Candella, Obi Nwankwo; Lebanon Van Kuiken; Walnut Hills - Dylan Kremer; Western Brown -Tyler - Derek Hellemann, TylerGilbert; Morgan, Nick Rymer; Western Hills Kings -Aaron Gayhart, Derrick -Aaron Auellen, Aramis Blitten; Harris, Matt Stevens; La Salle Winton Woods - Kierre Greenwood, Danny McElroy, Jordon Crawford, Brendan Jones; Loveland - Blian . Warren Niles, Trevor Niles; Withrow - Anthony McBiide, Ron Bracey, Troy Wozniak, John Kennedy; Mason Long, Chlis Glimes; Woodward Zach Brown, Jordan Heatherly, Luke Sutphin; Middletown- Allen Cameron Keesee, Te'AIIen Plice, D(Jminique Bettis.

Roberts, Tony ~eters, Phillip Bar-

Nathanael Harney, Madison The senior averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals. He was Division Ill special mention all-state, first team all-district and aii-SWBL Buckeye.

Andre Simmons, Shroder The senior averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 re- · bounds, 1. 7 steals and 1.5 blocks, He was Division Ill honorable mention all-district and CMAC second team.

The senior averaged 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals. He was Division Ill honorable mention all-state, second team all-district and aii-GCL Central.

Nate Brusman, Cin. Christian . The junior averaged 20.9 points, 4.9 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 rebounds. He was D-IV special mention all-state, first team aHdistrtct and MVC Gtay player of the year.

Jess Chadwell, Georgetown I

iTHEYEAR

The sophomore averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.9 assists. He was D-IV special mention all-state, first team alldistrict and SBC National player of the year.

....... ,....... Bllltler, Nnrth College Hill · senior averaged 22.1 I nts, 7.8 assists, 4.i and 4.1 steals. He was second team allfirst team all-district and all-Miami Valley Cont~>r~>.nl'~> and helped lead NCH to three state titles and postseason record in four years ..

Ricardo Maxwell, Lockland The sophomore averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals. He was Division IV special mention all-state, .first team all-district and aii-MVC.

COACH OF ITHE YEAR 19-3 and reached the sectional Cincinnati Hills League champi' nmrtr<lrYl'" first league title since 1969.

1

DIV.I HONORABLE MENTION

r

· Brenin Garcia, Purcell Marian

senior averaged 16.7 p9ints and 12.4 rebounds · He was third team all-state, first team all-dis" all-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference.

Allen Pay111e, Winton Woods

The senior averaged 19.4. points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 .steals. He was honorable mention all-district and aiiFAVC Buckeye.

The senior averaged 21.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.2 steals. He was Division Ill first team all-state, Southwest DistriGt player of the year and Cincinnati Hills League player of the year.

I PLAYER OF THE YEAR

f'h<>mn,.nn.

Josh Volkerding, Harrison

SELECfED BY ENQUIRER REPORTER TOM GROESCH EN BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AREACOACHES

I

IIV PLAYER :F THE YEAR . Kohn1, Seven

ns 1

senior averaged 21.5 · nts, 3.2 rebounds, Is and 2.5 assists. e was first team allSouthwest District of the year and MiConference-Scarl' player ofthe year.

23-2 and reached the regional tournament run in school history.

I Press state tri-coach of the year.

DIV. 11-IV HONORABLE MENTION Badin- Scott Purcell, Xander Reynolds, Corey VanNatta; Bata· via- Andrew Avery, Eric Simmons; Bethel-Tate - Louie Schaljo; Blanchester- f\.J. Wiley; Cincinnati Christian -~David Mann, Derek Wickersham; Cincin· nati Country Day- Spencer Wright; CHCA- Willlo!Wellette, Thomas Barnhart; Clar!i< Montessori - Bryan Berry, Do~1ta Hughes; Clermont Northeaste~rlll- Justin Messinger, Chris Jordan; Clinton· · Massie - Logan McConnick; Deer Park- Ethan Carey, Ben Rascona, Keith Reddish; East ClintonSteve Sodini; Fayetteville- Matt Greene; Felicity-" Tyler Utter; Fenwick- Kevin Donoher, Mike Lonneman; Rnneytown - Patrick Dawson, Jabari Wright: ~eorgetown- Marc Gray, Dylan Kattine; · Goshen - Chris Petry; Indian Hill -Joe Renneker, Matt Gliggs; Littie Miami- Matt Beerse, Kyle' Lawrence; Lockland- A.J. Letcher, Jamelle Smitli,.Adonnis White;

Madeira- Nate Gulick, Rob Tudor, Adam Bird; MariemontFreeman Jordan, Will Kippins; McNicholas -Tyler Blatt, Andy Jostworth; Middletown Christian " ~ Stephen Buchanan, Kenneth Gaynor; Monroe- Tyler Osterman, Jared Ferguson; New Miami- Co- . rey Davidson, Adam Forch; New ·· Richmond- Nolan Darland; North College Hill - Barry Cobb, Angelo Pruitt; Norwood - ~eff Tyree; Purcell Marian- Greg Davis, · David Anderson; Reading- Ben ' Gertz; Ripley- John Mineer; RogerBacon-- Ricky Cullum, Brian, Hils; Ross- Chris Gaston, David , Lane, Alex Schlake; St. Bernard- , Phillip Torbert, Chad Webb; Taft-, • Richard Harris, Quavis McKinney; .

Taylor- John Greene; Seven Hills -Jake Davis,- LT. Burke, Alex Hill; Shroder- Lamar Tolliver, Anthony~ Davis; Summit Country Day..

Bradley Evans, Khiry Hankins; Wil-.o· mington- Jordan Berlin; Wyo· ming- Jo~n Blig~_t.__ David Harrisj