Moeller High School 2003-04 Basketball Articles

Moeller's Duncan named Gatorade Player of Year Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan has been named the Gatorade Ohio boys' basketball player of the year. Duncan averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists a game as Moeller reached the Division I regional final.

The Gatorade award is based on athletic and academic achievement and overall character. Duncan, who maintains a 3.2 grade-point average, has signed with Xavier University. He led Moeller to the Division I state basketball title as a junior.

Duncan, named second-team all-state by the Associated Press this season, becomes a finalist for the Gatorade national player of the year award to be announced in mid-April.

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Tom Groeschen

MARK D. MOTZ/STAFF

Moeller High School senior Rob Christie signed a national letter of Intent May 20 to play college basketball at Campbellsville University In Kentucky, where he plans to study either communications or sports medicine. The point guard helped the Crusaders to a Division I state title In March. "We like his competitive nature and we desperately need that at the point guard position," said Campbellsville head coach Keith Adkins. "He has leadership, he comes a from a successful program and knows the game. We don't have a returning point guard and he's expected to play right away." Pictured with Christie, seated center, are his parents, Theresa and Chris Christie. In back from left are Campbellsville assistant coach Bryan Milburn, Moeller head coach Carl Kremer and Adkins.

The Post In this section College hoops Business People

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 24,2004

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Moeller emphasizes team Crusaders' focus is all about winning

By Marc Lancaster Post ostaff reporter

It happens every fall in college gyms across America.

The touted freshman, used to averaging 20- or 30-something points every time he takes the court, realizes what he has gotten himself into. The moment of recognition may come quickly or gradually, but it happens to just about everyone.

For every Carmelo Anthony, who can step in and play a starring role as a freshman, there are a few hundred recruits who have to alter their entire approach to the game once they arrive in college. No long-

er the first option, they often fail to make the list of options altogether when starting their career at the next level.

"A lot of kids who are the primary scorer on their team, that's their biggest adjustment when they move up," said Moeller High School boys' basketball coach Carl Kremer, who knows a thing or two about the process.

There are four former Crusaders playing Division I basketball this season Mike Monserez at Butler, Nick Monserez at Lehigh, Matt Sylvester at Ohio State and Clint Nagel at Coastal Carolina. The last three were seniors together at Moeller in 2001, so they learned a little something about spreading the ball around. The same lessons are being taught this year.

Led once again by a trio of Division I signees, the Crusaders are in the midst of

another memorable season as they attempt to defend their Division I state title.

The setup is familiar to Moeller fans, with the "Big Three" of point guard Bubba Walther (Akron), swingman Josh Duncan (Xavier University) and center Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State) at the forefront of a unit that has lost only twice this season.

Moeller, the state's second-ranked Division I team, lost, 52-51, Friday night to third-ranked and unbeaten La Salle (12-0, 6-0 GCL South).

As if that wasn't enough, the Crusaders (12-2, 6-1) pack up and head to Akron today KEN STEWART/for The Post for a Sunday afternoon showdown with Moeller's Bubba Walther is one St. Vincent-St. Mary's. LeBron James may be gone, but SVSM remains the of three Crusader seniors who will

See MOELLER on 58

be playing Division I college basketball next season.

Moeller: Play.s a tough schedule From1B state's top-ranked team in Division II. "Going into the season, our big thing was playing the best possible schedule that we could play," Kremer said. "It's never been our goal to have the best overall record. We're not trying to win a city championship. Our goal, simply, is to be the best we can be in March. Now if we win games in doing that, that's great."

It's a mentality familiar to college basketball fans, with everything from November through February serving as buildup for the madness to follow, and Moeller seems to thrive on the attitude that there's always something bigger out there ¡ to chase.

Team goals are always the overriding focus at Moeller, but even Kremer acknowledges that the way the Crusaders go about their business can't help but prepare those who will go on to play in college to excel when they get there. That's why no one bats an eye when Duncan, the lone junior on the Division I Associated Press all-state team last season, isn't the high scorer or rebounder on his own team.

His averages in both categories are down from last year's numbers (18 to 16.5 in points and 9.9 to 6.2 in rebounds) as Brackman's stats have improved to 19.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Kremer believes that statistical trend is rooted in the decision to flip-flop the two seniors' responsibilities this year. Duncan's 6-foot-8 frame is equally suited to play inside and outside, and he has come out from the low post to play on the perimeter, while the 6-9 Brackman has gone into the paint. It's a change that has worked well for the Crusaders on the court, but the rea~ning behind it n;.,1 a bit deeper.

"Josh, coming off his (offseason) knee surgery, practiced only one time before playing in a game, so we were a little bit uncertain as to what Josh's ability , level would be the first half of : the season," Kremer said. "And the fact that Brackman was going to play four in college and Duncan was going to play two or three in college, it seemed like a good move for us to make for the kids, too."

So far, everyone is pleased with the results. Heading into Friday's game against the Lancers, the Crusaders were averaging 70.4 points per game, and their three stars were contributing 50.4 of those points, with Walther checking in at.14.5 per game. Kremer said he believes any of the three would easily average 25 points on most high school teams, but the players don't seem to have a problem with the setup.

"I'm fine with it, it's a team game," Duncan said. "We're just so good this year in different places that anybody's likely to have a big night. As long as we're playing as a team, that's all I care about."

That type of attitude is exactly what college coaches are looking for. They sort through hundreds of players with similarly impressive stats as they make their rounds on the recruiting trail, but it's the way those players approach the game that makes the difference.

On that front, Xavier coach Thad Matta couldn't be more excited about having Duncan join his program next season.

"Any time you are fortunate enough to get a kid from a great program, it definitely makes things easier for the transitional stage of coming to college," Matta said. "That's been a huge catalyst for the success that Moeller's had. Carl's done a great job of putting the team first and his players havfjbought into it."

1

Boys basketball

-Moeller pounds Tampa team, now 5-1 Duncan leads Crusaders; Princeton falls The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller, which returned only one starter and was picked to finish last in the Greater Catholic League South, is 5-1 after defeating Tampa (Fla.) Catholic 91-40 in the first round of the St. Pius Invitational in Atlanta.

Every Crusader scored, led by sophomore guard Josh Duncan's 19 points.

Moeller plays Notre Dame Academy from Middleberg, Va., today (1 p.m.) in a second-round game.

TAMPA CATHOLIC (40) - A. Messlma 0 4 4, B~dges 2 0 4, Shuman I 0 3, P. Messlma I 0 2, Colllngton 2 2 7, Paratore 0 6 6, Locander 0 2 2, Tokarz 4 3 12. Totals: 10 17 40 .

MOEUER (11) - Ch~stle I 0 3, Wood 2 0 . 4, Thomas 0 4 4. Juenger I 3 5, Becker 2 0 5,

Duncan 8 2 19, Reisert 2 0 6, Bowman 0 2 2, Allen 2 0 5, Fox 3 I 7, Klmener 0 2 2, Bracken I 2 4, Kuntz 5 4 14, DeTemple I I 3, McGlone 4 0 8. Totals: 32 21 91. r.mpo Cothollc .............. 8 I 8 15-40 Moeller ......................... 23 28 20 20-11 3-polnters: T-Shuman, Colllngton. Tokarz.

M-Ch~sty, Becker, Duncan, Reisert. Allen . Records: T 7-5, M 5·1.

Whitten 2 0 4, Warnick 5 I II, ThtJIIer 3 2 Richmond - Tyler Hender- 08, 12, Lafayelte 5 0 10. Totals: 48 9 112.

Center .............. 10 17 12 1G-41 son led a balanced New Jocoba Conner ........................ 31 31 33 17-112 3-polnters: C-Bunnan 2. Foltz 2, Raney 2, Richmond scoring attack with 17 points. New Rich- Hansman. J-Mincy, Grigsby 2. Records: c 5-2.

• Newport 105, Hillmond plays Conner for the crest 79 - H~th White, • Miamisburg 66, championship at 7:30p.m. Ivan Chandler and Chris today.

Princeton 60, at Conseco CLARK MONTESSORI (52)- Lewis I 0 2,. Jones all scored 19 points Fieldhouse, Indianapolis - Policastro 2 I 5, Johnson 55 16, Hanes 2 0 4, for the Wildcats.

Metz 3 7, Merckle 3 2 8, Nesbit 4 2 10. Totals: Miamisburg converted 10 of 19 132 52.

Hillcrest's Allen Cappell NIW RICHMOND (18) - Klaas 3 2 8, How12 free throws in the fourth led all scorers with 27 ell 2 I 5, McMonigle 4 3 II, Bach 3 0 8, quarter, six by Matt Muncy, Henderson 7 0 17, Kilgore 5 I 12, Wiseman 0 4 points, and Chris Davis add4, Fender 2 0 5, Erdman 6 5 17, Duncan 3 2 II. to hold off Princeton. ed 22.

Totals: 35 18 98.

Freshman Ross Morin Clork ............................. 13 13 17 t-12 NEWPORT (101) - Searp 3 I 7, Chandler New Richmond .............. 25 27 30 11-18 8 3 19, White B I 19, Lowe 2 3 7, Tumer 8 0 led Princeton with 19 3-polnters: C-Johnson; N-Bach 2, Hender· 17, Jones 6 7 19, Thompson 0 I I, Cropper 2 0 points, 12 in the second half. son 3, Kilgore, Fender, Duncan 3. Records: C 4, Hoskins I 0 2, Griffin I I 3. Runion 2 I 5, 2-5, N 4-2.

Hodge I 0 2. Totals: 42 18 105.

HIUCRIST (71) - Miller I 0 3, Cook 3 0 • Conner 112, Jacobs 6, Lewis 0 2 2, Moore I 0 2, Boyce 2 0 4, Davis 8 4 22, Spencer 0 I I, Cappell 12 I 27, WilCenter 49 -;, Senior points liams I 0 2, Mathis 5 2 12. Totals: 33 10 79.

Will Foltz scored 10 points Newport ...................... 13 33 32 27-101 ...................... 22 22 20 11- 71 in the first quarter, trigger- HIHcreat 3-polnters: N-Whlte 3, Turner; H-MIIIer, ing a 31-10 run that set the Cappell 2. Records: N 5-3, H 4-4.

• Woodward 72, Tolestage for the victory. Foltz do Start 54, at Indianapolis finished with 22.

JACOBS CENTIR (41)- Mincy 5 0 II, North Central Holiday 4 0 10, Malone 6 2 14, Coleman 1 0 2, • New Richmond 98, Rigsby Tournament- The Bulldogs Pringle 6 0 12. Totals: 22 2 49.

CONNER (112) - Foltz 9 2 22, Hudgens 2 0 won their fifth consecutive Clark Montessori 52, 4, Burman 2 0 6, Baker 2 3 7, Hansman 6 0 13, Ohio River Classic at New Ballou I 0 2, Raney 5 0 12, Kuhn 0 I I, Houston 6 game play host North Cen-

PRINCETON (80) - Johnson 3 0 6, Carey I 0 3, Williams 0 3 3, Bamett 6 0 13. Dorris 2 0 4, Jones 4 2 10, Brogdan 0 2 2, Morin 8 3 19.

Totals: 24 10 60.

MIAMISBURG (II) - Moore 2 0 4, Schomburg 50 14, Kierstead 3 3 10, Fink I 0 3, Muncy 3 B 15, Fahncke 2 2 6, Wells 2 0 4, Remillard 2 59, McCain 0 I I. Totals: 20 19 66.

Princeton ...................... 11 11 11 22-10 Mlomllburl ................... 11 15 14 21-81 3-polnters: P-Carey, Bamett. M-Schomburg 4, Kierstead. Fink, Muncy. Records: P 4·3. M 7·1.

tral tonight for the championship.

WOODWARD (72) - Watson 8 2 20, Gentry 2 0 5, Annstrong 3 0 6, Gaines 2 2 6, Willis 5 I II, Bess 2 I 5, Madison 2 0 4, Edwards 5 5 15. Totals: 29 II 72.

TOI.EOO START (14) - Palmer I 0 2, Maracola 3 0 9, Gray 3 0 7, Jackson 2 0 4, Drake 2 I 5, Hunter 2 3 8, Goodloe 4 0 8, Easley 4 3 10, Williams 0 I I. Totals:21 8 54 .

Woodword .................... 22 21 12 17-72 Toledo Stort .................. 11 11 I 12-14 3-polnters: w-watson. Gentry. T-Gray, Maracola 3. Records: w 5·0, T 2·4.

• Wilmington 47, Clinton-Massie 41, Pepsi Clinton County Holiday Tournament at Wilmington - Zach Grove scored 14 points for Wilmington, which plays East Clinton for the championship at 8 p.m.

Saturday.

CLINTON-MASSIE (41) - Brady 0 I I, Webb I 0 2, Scherz 2 0 5, R. Wilkinson I 0 3, Wlnchek I 0 3, Rosselot I I 3, Davis 2 0 6, Bevan 2 0 4, K. Wilkinson 5 I 14. Totals: 15 3 41.

WILMINGTON (47) - Wagstaff 3 0 7, Ad· klns 0 I I, Grove 6 0 14, HoiNngsworth 2 2 6, Annstrong 3 3 9, Thlrey 4 2 10. Totals: 18 8 47.

Clinton-Measle .............. 18 7 8 10-41 Wllmlo.ton .................... 10 20 a 1-47 3-polnters: C-Scherz, R. WHklnson, Win· chek, Davis 2, K. Wilkinson 3; W-Wagstaff, Grove 2. Records: C 3·5, w 4-4.

HIGH SCHOOLS

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

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SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2004 CS

High school insider

Big picture shows Moeller's amazing run Moeller was supposed to be playing for its second straight Division I boys' basketball title Saturday night in Columbus.

But the Crusaders weren't there.

Moeller, hailed by rival coaches as one of the best teams Cincinnati has ever seen, failed to make the 2004 Final Four. The Crusad.ers fell one game short, upset by Columbus Brookhaven 52-48 in the regional finals last weekend.

"It still hurts," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "But this was an unbelievable group of seniors, and they won 45 games in two years.

Not a lot of high school teams have won 45 games in two years."

Moeller players were dis-

traught after the loss to Brookhaven, in a game played at Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum.

"It was a long bus ride home," Moeller star Andrew Brackman said, a few days later. "It's kind of sad that it's all over, but we'll look back with good memories."

Tom Kremer reluctantly attended Groeschen this year's state tournament, as most Ohio coaches do.

"At first I wasn't sure if I'd go," Kremer said. "But life goes on."

Life was good the past two years at Moeller..

Last year's team went 23-4 and upset Brookhaven in the finals.

This year's team was 22-3, blasting Cincinnati opponents by more than 20 points per game. The only blemishes, before last weekend, were a 10-point loss to USA Today~ No. 1-rated Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and a one-point road loss to GCL South rival La Salle.

Lakota West coach Mike Mueller, who has coached a combined 32 years in Ohio and Illinois, called Moeller the most talented team he's ever seen. McNicholas coach Pat Stricker said he couldn't remember a team as good in the past 20 years.

Brackman and fellow forward Josh Duncan both earned all-state honors. Bubba Walther was the combination point guard/shooting guard who ran the team. Duncan has signed with Xavier, Brackman a baseball-basketball package with North Carolina State, and Walther signed with Akron. Four other seniors also graduate.

Maybe this year's expectations were a bit much?

"At times I thought we were over-hyped," Kremer said. "But at the same time, I'm very proud of what these guys did. They faced a lot of pressure to win."

Moeller returns 6-foot-8 inside players Ryan Childress and Tyler Dierkers and starting guard Pat-

rick Watt, so the well is not dry.

But this was obviously a special group of seniors, achieving USA Today ratings at various times the past two years. ¡ "We played the very best schedule you could play in high school basketball, won a state title and got national rankings," Kremer said. "We'll remember the good things more than how this year ended."

HARMONY HAMMERS: Harmony Community School has some big names on its revamped football coaching staff. Former Miami University standout receiver Jeremy Patterson has been named head coach, and former Ohio State star running back Carlos Snow is an

assistant.

Deland McCullough, the previous Harmony head coach, has become the school's executive director. McCullough, former star running back at Miami University, assumed his new duties after former Harmony executive director David Nordyke died in December.

FAMILIAR FACE: Perceptive fans noted that, yes, that was former Oak Hills coach Nann Meyer who directed Minster to the Division IV girls' state basketball title last weekend. Meyer, now Nann Stechschulte, coached Oak Hills to the Class AM girls' state finals in 1986.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

www.Ohio.com

Akron Beacon Journal • Momday. January 26, 2004

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HIGH SCHOOL I CdLLEGE BASKETBALL Cincinnati Moeller 71, St. Vincent-St. Mary 69

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Irish blow 10-point lead during final minutes ~

Zips recruit hits jumper to boost the Crusaders, finishes with 17 pbints

By Mike Dyer

Special to the Beacon Journal

St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce II knew his players let down their guard during the most important stretch and it cost them, as Cincinnati Moeller defeated the Irish 71-69 Sunday afternoon at the Great Lakes Hoops Classic at Rhodes Ar~na.

Moeller senior guard Bubba Walther made a 12-foot jumper

over an Irish defender with two seconds to spare to lift the Crusaders (13-2).

On the next possession, St. VM sophomore Marcus Johnson's shot fell to the left of the basket as time expired.

Walther, a 6-3 senior guard, who has signed to play for the University of Akron next season, finished with 17 points. Senior 69 center Andrew Brackman, a North Carolina State recruit, led the Crusaders with Zl points.

"We just turned the ball over at crucial times, and hey, let's face it, the 1-3-1 (zone) was good," Joyce said. "You get 6-8,

((It was a great win for us }jecause for whatever reason we're not playing well right now and we were able to come from 10 down ~th five minutes to go., CARLI$EMER Cincinnati .Moeller coach

6-8 and 6-9 L. :-;iug the 1-3-1 in rebounds) converted on a 3high school- tr.,.t's pretty tough. point play to make it 64-54.

Moeller then went on a 13-2 Even still we should've been a • little more patient."· , run to take the lead 67-66 with St. V-M (ll-3) led ... ; 10 with' S?.l seconds left.

5:10 left after junior fmw11rd , · St. V-M's Tim Marks tied the Lawrence Wilson (21 ~d ·1ts, 11 score 67-67 with a free throw be-

fore Brackman made a bucket to put Moeller ahead 69-67. With 12 seconds left, Iris~- -;enior guard Brandon Weems 06 points, six assists) found Johnson for a dunk to tie again 69-69.

The Irish led 20-13 after one quarter and 33-32 at halftime. A bright spot for the Irish, however, was shooting 67 percent from the 3-point line that included Weems (4-for-7) and sophomore Pat Nygaard (3-for-3).

"I was proud of our guys despite how well they shot," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "It was a great win for us because for whatever reason we're not

playing well right now .and we were able to come from 10 down with five minutes to go."

Joyce said "it's been a tough stretch" with five games in nine days, but he was proud of his team's effort. The Irish went 4-1 during that period, including a win Saturday night over Toledo Libbey.

"I told my guys this isn't the journey, it's JUSt a stop along the way," Joyce said." ... We gave them (Moeller) all they wanted, and they're not walking out of here feeling like they walked away with anything. They got everything."

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2004 I

Crusader Brackman's ot game, - two of them

By Tom Groeschen

Andrew Brackman, a 6-foot-9 1h,

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller senior Andrew Brackman suddenly has become Ohio's No. 1-rated prep prospect in two different sports, status he never imagined as a gangly 6-foot-1, 125-pound fresh.nan.

Brackman, now 6-911.! and 205 pounds, is the top scorer (19.4 points a game) and rebounder (6.5) for Moeller, which is rated No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and No. 13 nationally by USA Today.

And Brackman, coming off a Most Outstanding Player performance at the Glaxo Invitational in Raleigh, N.C., has been elevated to the No. 32-ranked senior nationally (No.1 in Ohio) in recruiting guru Bob Gibbons' midseason rankings.

And basketball is not even Brackman's top sport He has signed to play both basketball and baseball with North Carolina State, another coup in that Cincinnati prep basketball (or baseball) rarely sends players to the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I've always wanted to be a baseball player," Brackman said. "Bas-

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ketball will pay my way through college, but I still think baseball is my sport."

In baseball, Brackman is a righthanded pitcher ranked by rivals.com as the No, 1 overall prospect in Ohio and No. 18 nationally. National scout Jeff Spehnan of Team One Baseball and rivals.com said Brackman could be a late firstround or early second-round choice in the June 2004 professional baseball draft.

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205-pounder, is a star in basketball and baseball. He is signed to attend North Carolina State, where he'll play both sports,

Enquirer file/ JEFF SWINGER

Russ Foster, a longtime local amateur coach, calls Brackman "a right-handed Randy Johnson," with Brackman's fastball having been clocked at 92 mph.

'TheYankees are coming to visit this weekend," said Brackman's father, Mark 'We've had at least 10 teams contact us, Ifs been crazy, but it's a nice problem to have."

Andrew Brackman - most call him "Drew"- was a point guard as a Moeller basketball freshman. But

he grew from 6-1 to 6-7 in two years and as a junior scored 14 points a game to help lead Moeller to the Division I state title.

"I was real small and skinny as a freshman," said Brackman, a softspoken sort who wears a size 14 shoe. "I just grew a lot between my sophomore and junior years, from about 6-3 to 6-7."

And now, at 6-911.!, he shares the Moeller spotlight with 6-8 senior forward Josh Duncan (signed with Xavier) and 6-3 senior guard Bubba Walther (Akron) .

Duncan led Moeller to the state title with averages of 18.9 points and 9.9 rebounds last season, when he was a slam-dunk choice as firstteam all-state and Enquirer/Channel 9 Player of the Year. He knows Brackman is the top competition this year, although "competition" might not be the right word.

"I just think ifs great for our team, what Drew is doing," Duncan said. 'We all can play, and we really don't care who scores."

Duncan's scoring and rebounding are down slightly this season, to 15.4 points and 5.2 rebounds, but there are mitigating circumstances. Duncan is still rounding in-

to shape from offseason knee surgery, and with Brackman's emergence, he has not had to carry as big a load.

And don't forget Walther, who averages 14.1 points and is the floor leader with 4.7 assists a game.

"Ifs nice coming down the floor and being able to throw the ball to two Division I players," Walther said. "It sure is relaxing to have that."

Moeller basketball coach Carl Kremer, then, must be about the most relaxed guy in town. Moeller (9-1) is favored to repeat as Division I state champion, with its only loss 71-61 to Oak Hill Academy (Va.), USA Today's No.1 team.

Kremer said Brackman's basketball development really took off around midseason last year.

"Brack has always had a lot of talent, but his body has just matured," Kremer said.

Moeller figures to play late into March in basketball, and then Brackman will go straight to baseball. You won't catch him at home doing the video-game routine.

"I can't watch sports on TV, either," Brackman said. "I don't have the patience. I just want to be out

Brackman file Height: 6 feet 9 'h Weight: 205 pounds College choice: Has signed to

play both basketball and baseball at North Carolina State.

BASKETBALL CAREER 2003·04 SEASON Scoring: 19.4 ppg (leads

Greater Catholic League South) Rebounding: 6.5 rpg (leads team) Reid goal shooting: 70-for-115 (61 percent, leads GCL) Free \flrow shooting: 34-for-42 (81 percent, leads team) BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS

As right-handed pitcher, went 6-0 with 1.23 ERA as jun:or ...

Fastball has been clocked between 88-92 mph ... Rated by rivals.com as No. 1 senior prospect in Ohio and No. 18 in nation entering the 2004 spring season. there playing."

Which he figures to be, where, for quite some time.

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E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.-com

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It's true: A state title for B:_ Blue Hamilton brings home first crown since 1954

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS- The Hamilton Big Blue basketball team was pure gold Saturday night, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its last state title by winning another one.

The Big Blue beat Toledo St. John's Jesuit 51-48 in the boys' Division I state final before 14,776fans at Ohio State's

Value City Arena. A loud, large contingent of Hamilton fans packed one end zone, and all were standing and cheering in the final moments.

Hamilton was making its first state tournament appearance since 1954, when it won the last of its three previous state titles.

"What a great win for our players, the program and the

fans of the Big Blue," Hamilton coach Larry Allen said, shortly after pulling on a "Hamilton - 2004 Division I State Champions" T-shirt along with his players. "We didn't have a superstar all year, but we just had kids that kept stepping up."

Senior point guard Brandon Lampley led Hamilton

Fans and players alike celebrate Hamilton's 51-48 victory over Toledo St ..

John's in the Division I state title game Saturday.

The Enquirer;

See HAMILTON, Page CS

S.M. HERPPICH .

Hamilton: Big Blue

Roundup

0-G twins help Div. II Titans win first title

hold on for victory From Page Cl

with 16 points and made one of two free throws to give Hamilton a 51-48lead with 5.4 seconds left. In the end, Toledo St. John's had to go the length of the court and couldn't launch a final desperation shot.

Lampley was named the tournament's outstanding player by the Associated Press, joined by Hamilton junior center Jason Miller on the all-tournament team.

Hamilton's players charged happily into the stands immediately afterward, several doing "Lambeau Leap" jumps into their Dog Pound student rooting section.

A visibly thrilled Allen raised his arms to the heavens and hugged all his players, kissing his son - freshman forward Billy Allen - on the forehead.

Hamilton, with no player averaging more than 10.5 points a game, won again with airtight defense and smart shot selection.

The Big Blue held a pivotal 11-4 scoring edge in the third quarter and shot 50 percent from the field.

Hamilton held St. John's top scorer, 6-foot-6 forward BJ. Raymond, to 11 points. He averages 19.5.

Lampley was a key as Hamilton built an eight-point lead (40-32) early in the fourth quarter and then hung on. Lampley faced tremendous defensive pressure from St. John's as he brought the ball upcourt in the fourth quarter, and made it through mostly unscathed.

"Ifs the state finals, and it's a game where you had to step up and play," said Lampley, shortly after cutting the final strands of the goal nets afterward. 'There were some nerves at the end, but we've faced pressure all year with our schedule in the GMC (Greater Miami Conference)."

After Lampley made his two foul shots to make it 51-48, the Big

HamiHon titles The Ohio boys' basketball state tournament began in 1923. The list of Hamilton's state champions: 1937 1954

-.....,../

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - The Titans were double trouble.

Twins Tim and Eric Pollitz controlled the tempo at both ends of the floor in leading Ottawa-Glandorf past Canal Fulton Northwest 75-42 in the Division II final Saturday, giving the Titans their first boys' basketball state championship.

0-G had terrific teams the past two years but each time lost in the regional finals to three-time Mr. Basketball LeBron James and Akron St. VincentSt. Mary.

"LeBron's been a big obstacle," Eric Pollitz said. "Losing to him twice in the regional finals was heartbreaking. Titis being our senior year, we felt it was our time."

Eric scored 21 points, had 15 rebounds and eight assists, with Tim adding 18 points, three assists and three rebounds for third-ranked 0-G (27-1), which won its 18th consecutive game.

1949 2004

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Blue fouled St.John's guard Brian Roberts as he brought the ball upcourt with 3.6 seconds left. Roberts, who had a game-high 18 points, missed the front end of the bonus. Hamilton's Derrick Huff rebounded and was fouled with 1.1 seconds left.

Huff missed both free throws and St. John's Roberts rebounded, but he could not get off a shot before the final hom.

Hamilton senior forward l..atez Williams, who had 18 points in Friday's semifinal win over Canton McKinley and seven points Saturday, said the Big Blue can't wait to bring their trophy home today. A rally is planned at 1 p.m. at the school gymnasium.

"Man, this is one of the most exciting times of my life," said Williams. ''We've been getting energy from our fans all year, and they helped us come through tonight."

Hamilton (25-2) finished with a 22-game winning streak. The Big Blue were No. 8 in the final Associated Press state poll of the regular season.

"Words can't explain how I feel right now," said Allen, himself a Big Blue lifelong fan. ''We have great people on this team, and the thing is, we played intelligently all year. These kids just know how to play basketball, and I'm proud of all of them."

Division Ill Sl Henry 6l, Versailles 49 COLUMBUS- Versailles took the league; St. Henry won state.

Kurt Huelsman, a 6-foot-9 sophomore center, dominated inside and St. Henry- after an 0-2 start to the seasonmade up for a regular-season loss to Midwest Athletic Conference rival Versailles.

Division IV Holgate 40, Marion Local 32

HAMILTON (25-21· i.aTp'cy 4 616: WJioo:s 15 7: Huff 2 0 6: Myt!rs·WI'1 ~ 3 2 8;

~'w<:"r 3

0 6; Brooke 1 0 3;

A1'en 2 0 5. Tot..''s: 1613 51.

TOUDO ST.JOHN'S 123-51- Ke ~" 113: Ht~!l!S<h<l 1 0 3: Roberts 6 4 18;

H1l 1esJJnd

51 11; Raymo~d 50 10;

Aoyd 1 o 3. rota~: 19 6 48. llamlltan ••••·-··--·--···· 12 14 11 14 -51 Toledo 5I. 14 12 4 18 -48 3-po:ntcrs: H 6 (t.z,mp!cy 2, Hutr 2. Brooke, A!!en), TSJ 4 (Rob<rto 2, Heiotsc:hel. ~oydl.

Jolm'•----·-

The Cincinnati Enquirer/STEVEN HERPPICH

Hamilton's Casey Brooke (left) and Brandon Lampley knock the ball away from B.J. Raymond of St. John's. Lampley led all Big Blue scorers with 16 points.

COLUMBUS-Wild-haired big man Earnest Ferguson scored 14 points in leading Holgate past the defending state champion for its first state championship.

It was defense that won the title for the Tigers (21-6). Marion Local (1S.10), back to the state final despite losing all five starters, scored the fewest points in a small-school championship game since Farmer beat Worthington 36-32 in 1946.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPOR1S

Roundup

St. John's extracts • revenge m DI semi The Associated Press

The Cincinnati Enquirer/STEVEN M. HERPPICH

Hamilton's Derrick Huff drives around a Canton McKinley defender Friday night. Huff scored 14 points for the Big Blue, including 12 ir the first half.

1

Hamilton: Faces StJohn's From Page Cl

the 1960s and '70s. Taft won a state title in 1962 and Garfield was runner-up in 19f'l. The dis.trict consolidated back into Hamilton High in 1980.

"We've made our mark in Hamilton history, and every player, 1 through 13, is special to me," Allen said.

Hamilton grabbed a 32-28 halftime lead behind 12 first-half points from Huff. Hamilton fell behind 39-36 in the third quarter as it scored only one field goal in the first four minutes. But the Big Bille found their stroke again to go up 46-43 by quarter's end.

Hamilton went up 4~3 on a lay-in by center Miller to start the fourth quarter. But then the Big Blue started having big trouble versus McKinley's full-court pres:;, with a few turnovers that helped the Bulldogs edge ahead 52-50 with 4:10 left n,en Hamilton forced tumover5; on five straight possessions. The Big Blue regained the lead for good at 53-52 on a 3pointer by Lampley with 3:30 remaining.

Hamilton seeks to become the . first Greater Miami Conference team to win the boys' Division I state title since 1992, when Lako-

COLUMBUS- Zach Hillesland hit all six of his free throws in the final2:37 as Toledo St. John's held off Columbus Brookhaven 57-54 Friday night in a Division I state semifinal.

Brookhaven (24-3), making its fourth consecutive trip to the state's final four, had won the semifinal showdown· with St. John's a year ago before falling to Moeller in the title game: After Hillesland hit two foul shots with 34.4 seconds left for a 5552 lead, Brookhaven's Jamelle Comley followed his own miss with 21 seconds remaining.

Coming out of a timeout, St. John's inbounded the ball to BJ. · Raymond, but his pass back to Hil· lesland was intercepted by the Bearcats' Jermaine Cox, who was fouled with 16.8 seconds remaining. With a chance to take the lead or tie the game, Cox missed both free throws, and Hillesland was fouled when he grabbed the rebound.

Hillesland, who had 13 points and 12 rebounds, made both foul shots to push the lead back to 57-54.

Brookhaven rushed the ball down the court- and was in such a rush that the Bearcats had only four players on the floor on their final assault. Coach Hali Robinson confirmed there was a sUbstitution mixup on the play.

Mike Wakefield was short on a 3-pointer that just grazed the front of the rim with seven seconds left.

Denzel Lyles picked up the loose ball and got off a hurried 3-pointer with two seconds on the clock, but it came up short of the mark and bounced out of bounds as the hom sounded.

Raymond, a second-team AllOhioan, scorei:l 26 points for the TItans (23-4), who will play Hamilton in tonight's big-school title game.

Division IV semifinals

Marion Local 52, Sebring McKinley 45

Cincinnati Enquirer/STEVEN M. HERPPICH

Hamilton's Jason Miller is fouled during the second half at Value City Arena on Friday. Miller finished with 10 points.

ta won it. Tonight's game will be telecast live statewide on ONN cable, Tune Warner digital Channel105 in the Cincinnati area. It will also be on WMOH-AM radio (1450).

IWIIII.lON (24-21. Lampley 3-6 5-7 12. Womams 7·11 4·5 18, Huff 4·7 4 5 14, Myeos.Whltl! 2-7 1).1) 5.

Mille<4-82-410. BrookeiJ.II).1)0,AIIen 1-42-2 4. Totals

21-4417-23 63.

CANTOIIIIICKIIILEV 122-4) -Par1<er 3-91).1) 6. Hall 3·111H3 14. Da•I<Y 3·31).1) 6. W.atheospoon 4·10 2·2 10. Moogan 9·15 2·2 20, Bmytes 0.3 1).1) 0, BlOWn 0·3 1).1)0, F<eeman 1).1)1).1)0, M31tinl).1)1).1)0. Totas22-54 IH756.

-~

15 13

17 15

14 IS

17 13

-

63 56

Mc:""*'·3·1J()Int goals-Hamilton 4-15 (Hun 2·5. Lampley 1·2,

Myeos·Whltl! 1·5. Brooke 0·1, Allen 0.2). canton Mci\Jnley 0.12 (Broyles 0-1, Moogan 0.1. Hall 0.1. Parker 1).4, weatl'l~rspoon

0-5).

fouled

out-None.

5).

fouls-Hamilton 14. canton McKinley 20. A-15,252.

Total

COWMBUS - Maria Stein Marion Local is back for seconds.

Cory Luebke tossed in 23 points and the Flyers kept alive their hopes of defending their state title.

Marion Local (18-9), which lost all five starters from last year's championship team, will meet Holgate in today's title game.

Luebke, a 6-foot-3 left-bander who will pitch for 0 hio State's baseball team this fall, hit five of eight 3-pointers and all four of his free throws for Marion Local.' Russell Moeller chipped in with 10 points for the Flyers.

Holgate 31, South Webster 28.

COLUMBUS - Blake Sizemore's only basket - a hurried 3· pointer from the left wing at the buzzer- capped a 9-0 sprint to the end that gave Holgate (2(}.6) the victory.

Boys' AII-Disbict basketball COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The 2003-04 Southwest All-District basketball teams, as selected b' a media panel from the district ,..,

Ilocals) I ···) ~ .... ·- ' DIVISION · -- .,.._...~ FIRSTTDM

Andrew Brackman, Moeller, 6-foot-9~. senic:-, 19.7 points per game; Justin Orr, LaSalle, 6-6, sr, 18.4; Josh Duncan, Moeller, 6-8, sr. the""'" Andrew Brackman, Moeller.

CoacheooltheJUr: Larry Allen, Hamilton; Da' Aeming, LaSalle.

"-of

SECONDTDM Johnny Wolf, St Xavier, 6-2, jr., 18.0; Adam Myers-White, Hamilton, 6-4, jr., 11.0; Mark Dorris, Pnnceton, 6-2, sr., 15.3.

THIRDTDM Can Richburg, Mason, 5-7, sr., 19.5; James Dews, Lakota East 6-4, soph., 23.2; Ryan Patzwald, Anderson, 5-10, sr., 19.4.

HONORABlE MENTION Jamaine Burnett, Aiken; Eric MacFarland, Amelia; Dan lmpellizzerl, Kurt Shoemaker, Anderson; Dominick Goodman, Justin Beigel, Colerain; Thomas Sander, Josh Walters, Elder; Adam Ruhl, Fairfield; Brandon Lampley, Latez Williams, Hamilton; Matt Houchin, Harrison; Adnan Graves, Hughes; Mark Burgess, Kings; Jeremy Sallee,Cordale Boyd, Lakota East: Bnan LaChapelle, Josh Chichester, Dane Romero, Lakota West: Zach We~er, Darenn Mansoor Ray Ruberg, LaSalle; Chanie lngstrup, Will Leever, Clif Ramsey, Loveland; Matt Owens, Mason; DometJice Davis, Middletown: Bubba Waltl1er, Moeller; Diyral Bnggs, Mount Healthy; Jeremy Chappell, Northwest; Justin Ray, Garrett Smith, Oak Hills; Ross Morin, Princeton: DavidGedeon, Rob Schoenhoft, St xavier; Mike Kimmey, Sycamore; Jamar Howard, Jaron Brooks, Western Hills: Heath White, Hanison Bro.wn, Jamaal Akbar, Wintoo Woods; Chns Knight, Darral Payton, Larry Robinson, Withrow.

DIVISION II FIRSTTDM Kevin Weybnght, Wyoming, 6-6, sr., 23.0; Deandre Byrd, Taft, 6-1, jr., 16.0. ..._of the """' Kev1n Weybnght, Wyoming.

Coach of the yer. Mark Mitchell, Taft.

SECONDTDM Billy Finnell, Purcell Manan, 6-2, sr., 16.2; Mark Finneytown, 6-2, sr., 19.5; Will Norwell, Turpin, 6-7, jr., 17.2.

Haw~ns,

THIRDTDM Nic Dyment, McNicholas, 6-3, sr., 14.0; David Duncan, New Richmond, 6-7, jr., 15.2; Eddie Gray, Taft, 5-10 soph., 16.0.

HONORABlE MENTION Travis Runyan, C1ermorit Northeastern: Brad Monk, Goshen: Nick Martini, Hamilton Badin; Will Nolte, Indian Hill; Nick Duffy, Roger Bacon; Travis Donald, Taft: Josh Slonim, Tuljlin; leo Acoff, Walnut Hills; Brett Barber, Western Brown; Talmadge Bell, Woodward: Joey Rodgers, David Jolson, Wyoming.

DIVISION IU FIRSTTDM O.J. Mayo, North College Hill, 6-6, fresh., 30.8; Marty Bidwell, Middletown Fenwick, 6-4,jr., 18.5; Kerry Wilkinson, Clirrton-Massie, 6-0, jr., 16.3 . ..._ of the yer. OJ. Mayo, North College Hill

SECONDTDM Robby Brown, Manemont6-7, sr., 18.6: Nick Berter, Reading, 6-3, sr., 14.6.

THIRDTDM Joe Mendenhall, Batavia, 6-4, jr., 17.3; Enk Ayers, Deer Park, 6-1, sr., 16.1.

HONORABLE MENTION Kyle Robinson, Justin Beckett, Clinton-Massie; Nate Wallace, Bethel-Tate; Don Pnngle, Jacobs; Maurice Bfown, Kyle Mason, Deer Park; Travis Rust, Kevin Gilligan, Madiera; J.R. Rodarrnel, North College Hill; Tony Pike John Gertz, Reading.

DMliiONIY FIJm'IDM Alex Tieman, Summit Country Day, 6-4, sr., 19.8.

Coach of the year: Steve Farquhar, lockland.

SECONDTDM

Corey Faney, Lockland, 6-3, sr., 15.3.

THIRDTDM Sonny Snell, Landmark, 6-2, sr., 20.4.

HONORABLE MENTION Joe Hom, Cin. Chnstian; Kun Smith, Johnny Graves, Cm. Country Day; Greg Rosser, Landmark; DeJuan Hams, M1ke Collins, lockland; Garth Whipple, Seven H1lls, Dan Crank, Roger Bacon.

I'

Boys' basketball

arne o t e ear

'

Much on the line as Moeller seeks payback vs. rival La Salle

By Tom Groeschen 71u' Cir.cinnati Enquirer

The absence of injured La Salle star Justin Orr could radically affect both sides in tonight's big La Salle-Moeller basketball game, with ramifications well beyond this one game.

The Associated Press and Enquirer Division I poll championships are both on the line tonight, not to mention the Greater Catholic Today League South Tipoff: 8 p.m. championship.

Radio: WBOB- And with news AM.(1160).

Thursday that Orr will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, many "what-ifs" could be the legacy of the 2003-04 season.

La Salle (19-0, 11-0 Greater Catholic League South) is ranked No. 1 in both theEnqttirerand state Division I polls, and upset Moeller 5251 at La Salle on Jan. 23. Mo~ller (17-2, 10-1 GCLS) is ranked No. 2in the Enqttirer poll and No.3 in the state. It's the final game of the regular season, with La Salle trying to win the league title outright and :\Ioeller seeking a tie.

If Moeller wins at its sold-out gym, the Crusaders know many will say, "Well,Orrdidn'tplay."Beyond that, postseason brackets leave the possibility La Salle and Moeller could meet in the Division I state championship game next month. Without Orr, chances of that matchup seem greatly reduced.

And if Moeller wins the state, the Crusaders again might hear, "What if Orr had played?"

Without Orr's 18.4 points per game, La Salle is left with a scoring void. La Salle has no other player averaging even half of Orr's scoring norm, and Orr also was the team's top rebounder at 6.4 per game.

"Everybody else has got to step up," Orr said. "I11 be with my teammates the whole way."

Moeller coach Carl Kremer said his team would rather play La Salle with both teams at full strength.

"We know they're a program with great pride, and we'll prepare to play as if he (Orr) were there," Kremer said. "I know our team is really ready to play."

Before learning of Orr's injury, Moeller suggested it was time for some payback.

"I'm not going to call it revenge, but we've got something to give them," Andrew Brackman, Moeller's standout senior forward, said

Tyler Dlerkers (right) and No.2 Moeller will try to reject Zach Welter (left) and topranked La Salle's bid for a second win against the Crusaders this season.

,, ·.,_

'+ '

.

I

__ ,_

----~-·~-·--- ~ -~-----------

earlier this week. "We didn't handle the pressure right the last time, in a harsh environment. But I think it built our character."

Orr or no, many still believed Moeller - the defending state champion - remained the team to beat. The Crusaders' "Big Three" seniors of Brackman (signed with North Carolina State), &-8 forward Josh Duncan (Xavier) and &-3 guard Bubba Walther (Akron) combine to average nearly 50 points.

Moeller's only other loss was to USA Today's No. 1-ranked team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.). Before the first La Salle game, Moeller was being hailed as one of the greatest teams in city history.

La Salle, meantime, has one major Division I college recruit in Orr. Orr recently said he would commit to Miami University but later backed off, and remains open on his choice.

Beyond Orr, several Lancers players including Colin Flynn (13

points vs. Moeller last time), Ray Ruberg, Mike Wiegele, Darenn Manso or and Zach Welter are capable of double-figure scoring nights. But all average under 10 points per game.

"It's going to be a hostile environment at Moeller, and we fully expect that," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "We just need to guard them, and if we can get out of there with another one-point win, we11 be happy."

Last time, La Salle's pressure defense caused 19 Moeller turnovers, whi!e the Lancers committed only nine turnovers. La Salle lacks the offensive firepower of Moeller and again wants to limit Moeller's field-goal opportunities, having restricted Moeller to just 27 field-goal attempts (La Salle attempted 57) in their first meeting.

Moeller has more size, with four players standing &-foot-8 or taller.

But La Salle isn't small, with five players standing at least &-5. Last

time, Moeller held a 34-30 rebounding edge.

"We have to slow down their Big Three and rebound the ball," Fleming said. "Even though we got outrebounded last time, the tumovers made a big difference."

Kremer said his team must protect the ball and make shots.

"We have to defend the 3-pointer and rebound the basketball," Kremer said. "We have to make the most of our offensive opportunities."

Also tonight • In the Greater Miami Conference, No. 3-ranked Hamilton (17-2, 14-1 GMC) visits No.4 Princeton (also 17-2, 14-1) for the league title.

"When's the last time the No.1 team played No. 2andNo. 3played No. 4 on the final night of the season?" Princeton athletic director Scott Kaufman said. "What a night."

E-mail tgroesrl:cnff mquircr. com

---

-~~~-

-~-~

~ --~----

Moeller 76, St Xavier 72

Walther saves Crusaders with 8 points in stretch Attention turns to rematch with undefeated La Salle

By Mark Schmelzer Enquirer COilfrit<ftr;r

Ever since I..a Salle knocked off defending Division I state champion Moeller last month, this coming Friday's season-ending rematch has been the "Game of the Year."

St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf almost ripped the luster right off of it. · The junior guard erupted for a career-high 34 points against Moeller on Sunday, but the Crusaders got a clutch fourth-quarter performance from senior guard Bubba Walther for a 76-72 win before a sellout crowd at St. Xavier's 1,70(). seat gymnasium.

Moeller (17-2, 10-1) remains one game behind I..a Salle in the Greater Catholic League South going into its game at ::v1oeller on Friday.

The lancers (18-0, 11-0) play Oak Hills in a non-league game on Thesday.

After senior Josh Duncan made a free throw to give Moeller a 58-57 lead with 4:58 remaining, Walther scored eight of his 14 points during a liM Crusader run that left them with a seven-point lead, 68-61, their largest of the game.

The Crusaders went 8-for-12 from the free-throw line in the last 1:36 to mal{e the lead stand up.

"We asked Bubba to run the team at the point, and he came up with some big baskets at the end," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

"Bubba did what Bubba does best."

"I was frustrated in the first half," said Walther, who was averaging 14.2 points per game. "I \'l'asn't malting my shots. The coaches told me al! week that, even if I don't score ar;d the team wins, then I've done my job."

The first half featured eight lead changes and four tics before Wolf ar.d junior guard !1\icholas Leibold teamed up to personally produce an 8-0 run in the last 1:32 that left the Bombers with a 39-30 halftime lead.

Wolfs fourth and last 3-pointer of the game gave St. Xavier (13-5, 6-4) its largest lead of the game, 4232, ,,;,th 6:55 left in the third quarter.

"Johnny outdid himself today," Bombers coach Scott Martin said.

"He did everything for us. He was a

The

Cin:'~nati Er1!Jl.!i~er/CRA:G

RUHLE

Moeller's Josh Duncan slam dunks over St. Xavier's Kyle Gibler Sunday. Duncan had 20 points in the Crusaders' 76-72 victory.

great team leader for us."

But the Bombers missed 6-of-9 free throws in the quarter, opening the door for Moeller's comeback.

Crusaders senior Andrew Brackman, who led :v1oeller with 29 .points, converted a three-point play to complete the comeback and forge a 53-53 tie v.'ith 7:05lcft in the game.

"I think we found something out about ourselves in the second half that's going to carry us a long way," Kremer said. "We learned that if we sit down and play good defense and play unselfish, we can overcome adversity and come back and win."

"For some reason, we didn't have the fire in our stomachs that we had last year," Walther said.

"Even after we lost to I..a Salle, we still didn't, but to come in here and beat our biggest rivals, that will give us confidence - real confidence."

MOElLER 117·2, 1D-11- \~c::cr·4 r, 14. D:ccc 59 2C. 12 ~- :r?-~?: 2 4. ws~3 1 7. a~~~;::~<: e 112E 22 2? il:

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G:lienc I I 4, Cl:;c 3 0 G l•· """j 2 0 5. G:b"c! 0 2 2, S~~:Je'"'.~.n~ 2 0 4. :n~--:·:·. 23 F~ ?2 Moeller......

20 10 20 26 -76 St. X a v i e r - - - - - 19 20 14 19-72 3·;1~·~~-::-::;: ~!- ~::,-·~··:·~ 7. C:·-c::;:::;:: S- ~·:o:: ·~. l:.--:::!', G:<:")'!'O:'..

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Beacon Journal! 01/26/20041 Zips recruit struts stuffvs. St. V-M

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Sports Posted on Mon, Jan. 26,

2004

Zips recruit struts stuff vs. St. V-M

By Terry Pluto

Classifiet Shoppins Find a Jo an Apar1 a Home,

BOV\

BREAIC Updated I

This was a great high school basketball game won by a kid named Bubba who will be playing for the University of Akron next season.

It was Bubba Walther who dribbled the length of the court to swish a 12-footer with two seconds left, giving Cincinnati Moeller a 71-69 victory over St. Vincent-St. Mary on Sunday at Rhodes Arena.

Watching the game were Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce III, the two Zips players who sold Akron to Bubba during his campus visit. They also happened to have played for St. V-M, where Dru Joyce II is the coach. ''I don't think I've been more nervous for a game all season," Walther said.

2004

»George Named - 03:22 »Timber Guard • PM EST

» NHL Su Dagenc Games »Marine Termin 03:12 f »Saint J. Martell 03:10 f

The kid was so petrified, the first time he touched the ball, he swished a 23-footer.

Seriously.

1>30i-28 1>31i-30 1>44i-28

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He was way behind the 3-point line.

He made a couple more of those, two from at least 25 feet, as he finished with 17 points, seven in the final quarter.

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'' Bubba thinks his range is the entire gym," Cincinnati Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

Moeller entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the Division I poll but lost to LaSalle on Friday. ''I had a chance to win that game, too," Bubba said. ''But I missed the last shot."

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/7797888.htm

1/26/04

Beacon Journal I 01/26/20041 Zips recruit struts stuffvs. St. V-M

Page 2 of3

From where? ' 'Half court," he said.

Maybe he is serious about thinking he can make a shot from anywhere.

Bubba is averaging 14 points. He plays for a team ranked 12th in the nation by USA Today with one big man who has committed to Xavier (Josh Duncan), another headed to North Carolina State (Andrew Brackman).

At first glance, Bubba is underwhelming.

In the words of Akron assistant coach Keith Dambrot, ' ' He doesn't look like a Division I basketball player. You've really got to watch him."

He is 6-foot-3 and says he's 165 pounds.

Then again, he thinks his range is nearly unlimited, so he may be a little optimistic. He's all arms and legs and not much meat. He will need to adjust to the physical nature of the Mid-American Conference. Bubba knows he has to gain weight, which is a bit strange because he was a big baby. ' 'Nine pounds and 13 ounces," he said. ' 'That's how I got the nickname Bubba."

His real name is Adam, but no one calls him that. ' 'I'm not saying Bubba will come in here and be a great player for us right away," Zips coach Dan Hipsher said. ''But he will help us. He knows how to play the game. And we desperately need outside shooting."

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Hipsher and Dambrot spotted Bubba in some summer AAU camps. His shooting range first grabbed their attention, but then, they noticed his court vision, his ability to pass.

His father, Jim Walther, was a coach at Old Fort High in Western Ohio. Bubba does have the natural feel for the game that comes from being the son of a coach. That also appealed to Akron.

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Because he's thin, Bubba was not heavily recruited. He says he considered Eastern Michigan, Winthrop, Butler, Evansville, and Duquesne before settling on Akron. ''I liked the school being in the city," he said. ''I really liked Romeo and Dru on my visit. The gym is like a big high school gym, and I like that, too."

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Beacon Journal! 01/26/2004 I Zips recruit struts stuff vs. St. V -M

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Bubba was just one highlight of a wonderful game that showed there's still a lot of life at St. V-M without LeBron James. The Irish nearly pulled an upset with their relentless press and scrambling for loose balls. Lawrence Wilson (21 points, 11 rebounds) and 5-foot-8 Brandon Weems (16 points, 6 assists, 4-of-7 on 3-pointers) were especially impressive.

Coach Dru Joyce II has his team ranked at the top of the Ohio Division II poll, and this was his team's fifth game in nine days, so a loss is no embarrassment.

If anything, the game was a great preview of coming attractions.

That's true for the Irish, who should be a factor in the state playoffs.

And for Bubba, who could be fun to watch when he makes Rhodes Arena his home gym beginning next season.

Messages for Terry Pluto can be left at 330-996-3816 or terrypluto2003@yahoo.com Sign up for Terry's free weekly e-mail newsletter at www. thebeaconjournal. com/newsletter/

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2

Moeller begins title defense RtNo. 1

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller may be the most unanimous No. 1 preseason choice in the history of unanimous No. 1 choices.

The defending state champion Crusaders, with their top three scorers back, are No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches poll. Moeller is No. 20 in the USA Today preseason poll.

In Divisions II-IV, threetime defending Enquirer poll champion Roger Bacon again is ranked No. 1. North College Hill, led by OJ. Mayo and Bill Walker, is No.7 in the Divisions II-IV poll.

Moeller returns 6-foot-8

senior forward Josh Duncan (18 ppg), Andrew Brackman (16 ppg) and 6-3 shooting guard Bubba Walther (12 ppg) for its title defense.

"I would love to be in a position where we could sneak up on people," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

Duncan "But we realize that isn't going to be the case this year. The challenge to our team is to be that much better, because every game we play will be big."

Princeton, led by returning all-city guard Mark Dor-

ris, is ranked No. 2 in Division I. Next are St. Xavier, La Salle and Hamilton.

In Divisions II-IV, Roger Bacon coach Bill Brewer was surprised to learn the Spartans are No.1 again, given the loss of Enquirer Division II player of the year Monty St. Clair and all-city guard David Johnson.

"I appreciate the fact that coaches respect our program," Brewer said. "However, because of our lack of experience, we may struggle to win early. I think we have a chance of being there at the end."

E-mail tgroeschen @enquirer.com

Division I poll

Divisions 11-IV

Rank-Team

Rank-Team Points 1. Roger Bacon (5} 87 2. Reading (2} 65 3. McNicholas 50 4. Wyoming 45 (tie) Badin 45 6. Madeira 44 7. North College Hill 41 8. Purcell Marian 37 9. Woodward 36 10. Indian Hill 21 Others: Taft 18, Rnneytown 17, Clinton-Massie 16, Clermont Northeastern 6, Fenwick 5, New Richmond 4, Mariemont 3, Turpin 3, Deer Park 2, CHCA 2, Summit Country Day 2, Cincinnati Country Day 1.

Points 100 2. Princeton 82 3. St. xavier 68 4. La Salle 65 5. Hamilton 58 6. Withrow 55 1. Winton Woods 24 8. Elder 23 9. Mason 19 10. Lakota West 15 Others: Lakota East 13, Oak Hills 8, Anderson 3, Hughes 2.

t Moeller (10}

Four pages of boys basketball previews inside, C4-7

I ~PORTS I

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Loveland Herald A13

Crusaders come up short against Brookhaven forwards Tyler Dierkers and Ryan Childress along with junior starling guard Patrick

By George Schutte Sports Editor

The highest ranked team remaining in the Division I boys hask~tball tournament, Moeller was eliminated 52-48

by Columbus Brookhaven (23-2).

The Crusaders defeated Brookhaven 73-65 in the state finals last year in the state finals.

Brookhaven will be makIng their fourth straight appearanc.: in the state final four.

Moeller started off in a hoi~ trailing 13-2 early in the 路路 first quarter before battling back to take a 38-32 lead at the start路 of the fourth quarter.

At that point, the goat of last year's state title game for Brookhaven, Denzel Lyles took over, making two 3pointers and three of four foul shots to win the game.

Moeller finished their season with a 22-3 record, with the other losses coming against league rival La Salle and national powerhouse

Wi'ltt.

Sophomore guard Andrew Gomez Jogged significant playing time throughout the season and the tournament.

The loss of Duncan, Brackman and Waltlie1 will leave large hole, but as is often the case, Moellef will 1eload with talent already on thf' roster 11nd utill look lU contend for another league title last year.

Moeller tied路 La Salle for the Greater Catholic League championship this season, GEORGE SCHUTTE/STAFF with both teams winning on Ryao Childress powers past two Brookhaven defenders in the regional their home courts. Moeller finals against Columbus Brookhaven at the Columbus Fairgrounds. has won at least a share of the league title eight of the last 12 years. gschutte@communitypress.com

Josh Duncan goes up for a layup against Columbus Brookhaven.

Xavier University signee Josh Oak Hill Academy.

The Crusaders graduate Duncan, and Bubba Walther. seven players, including Returning next year for the starters Andrew Brackman, Crusaders are 6-foot-7 junior

~Ohio State '

:Sylvester ready to leave troubles behind ; The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller grad spent offseason finding his 3-point shot

COLUMBUS - Matt Sylves. ter had plenty of reason the past ' two years for woe-is-me think: ing. His cry instead was, "Work :with me." · ~ That's the crux of the nightly • calls from the Ohio State swing: man to his father, Mike, who : starred at Dayton in the 1970s : and played professionally for 17 : years in Italy.

• "He knows I've been through : the whole thing, that I'll have : some insights into things that : others won't," Mike said. "For • me, that's been tremendously : satisfying." : Matt, a redshirt sophomore " from Moeller, endured a tumultuous first season at OSU - redshirting because of calf and back

injuries. He also suffered. a broken hand and a gunshot wound in separate incidents.

As a redshirt freshman, he showed promise, starting 16 games, but endured a seasonlong shooting slump.

This summer, the ~foot-7 forward bulked up 15 pounds and practiced his shot daily. "!feel healthy for basically the first time ever here," he said.

"I'm really ready to show Columbus what I've got."

He started doing so in two preseason games, averaging 14 points and shooting 60 percent (12-of-20), including 4-of-6 on 3pointers.

Sylvester, the third-highest returning scorer (5.7 .~pg) for

: By Neil Sc:h111idt

Season opener

@

Friday: at San .

Francisco,

11 p.m.

the Buckeyes, was the Ohio coplayer of the year in 2001. He was a key part of Moeller's 1999 Division I state title team, averaging 21.4 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior.

His game was honed on skills that began as a toddler, when Mike Sylvester would toss him a rolled-up sweat sock to practice catching. At age 5, Matt decided he wanted to be a professional.

Success came easily until he enrolled in Columbus. The injuries, including a herniated disc that required surgery, cost him all but three games his first season; he successfully applied for a red shirt.

Then, in the summer of 2002, Sylvester broke his hand defendi~g a friend who was attacked in an off-campus neighborhood and was hit in the buttocks with a .22-<:aliber slug when fleeing a party in Cincinnati.

"I felt very cursed," he said.

"And it really opened my eyes to (the thought) your life can be taken away at any time. It made me appreciate life and stay away from things that can get you in trouble.~

He began last season out of shape and out of sync. He shot 42 percent, including just 23.5 percent on 3-pointers (12-of-51).

That was shocking to Sylvester, who had made 48 percent of his 3-point shots as a high school senior, and he leaned on his father.

"He calls me pretty much the minute he leaves the locker room" after road games, Mike said." ... It's made us incredibly tight."

Three weeks ago, Sylvester landed in the hospital after landing hard on his wrist. Yet he was back in practice two days later.

"Matt has a toughness about him people really don't see," his father said. ''You can tell how determined he is about this season."

E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com

Photo courtesy of Ohio State

Moeller product Matt Sylvester feels healthy for the first time since arriving at Ohio State and says, "I'm really ready to show Columbus what I've got."

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2003 CS

High school insider

Top recruits bode well for Moeller Repeat possible with 3 Div. I signees Moeller is a heavy favorite to St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf, all Divirepeat as Ohio Division I boys sion I prospects basketball state champion, for Don't be surprised if Moeller obvious reasons.

(23-4last season) loses a game When practice starts Monday, or two in the GCL, because the Moeller will be one of few teams league is just too good. suiting up three Division I colKremer doesn't expect to lege recruits in forward Josh blow through the GCL unbeatDuncan (Xavier), forward Anen. drew Brackman (North Carolina GIRLS BASKETBALL: CincinState) and guard Bubba Walther nati also has a major Division I (Akron). girls power in Mount Notre And three D-I recruits often Dame, which also has that magtranslates to a state title. Or ic formula of three Division I reclose to it. cruits- and maybe more.

Check recent CinMount Notre Dame, cinnati history: ranked No. 33 in the Student Sports national pre• In the 2002-03 season, Moeller won season poll, is led by sethe state with the anior guard Mel Thomas, forementioned trio as who committed to fourleading scorers. time NCAA champion Connecticut last week.

• In the 2001-02 season, Roger Bacon MND also has two upset LeBron James' more seniors committed Tom St. Vincent-St. Mary to Division I colleges in team in the Division II Groeschen guard Robyn Shipley state final with three (Elon University, N.C.) eventual Division I recruits: Josh and post player Angela Estes Hausfeld and Monty St. Clair (East Tennessee State).

(Miami U.) and Beckham WyrAnd junior post player Miick (UNC-Wilmington). chelle Jones, an Enquirer first• Also in 2001-02, Wmton team all-city player last season, Woods was Division I state run- is·a Division I prospect. ner-up led by Robert Rite (MiMND was 23-3 last season ami, Fla.), DeForrest Riley and came within one game of (Penn State) and Byron Fields the Division I state final.

(Wofford).

SIGNING DATE: The early signEarly polls have Moeller rated ing period begins Wednesday.

Ohio's top team for 2003-04.

FOOTBALL: Two Clinton CounStudent Sports magazine, ty football coaches are leaving based in California, lists Moeller the ranks after several decades No. 22 nationally (No.1 in Ohio). each. Blanchester coach George 'There's no hiding it," MoelRise, who also was a longtime ler coach Carl Kremer said. coach at Goshen, is retiring with "People know what we've got 204 career wins. And Wilmingback. Plus, our ]Vteam was 18-2 ton's Jim Home, who won more and our freshmen were 20-0 last than 100 games and took the year. And I still think people be- Hurricanes to their first playoff lieve we have the premier league appearance this season, also is stepping down. in the state."

That is the Greater Catholic SWIMMING: Mariemont's Nick Thoman, state swimming runLeague South, which also includes Elder, La Salle and St. Xa- ner-up in the 100 backstroke last season, has orally committedto vier. the University of Arizona.

Each team also has its own big star in Elder's Thomas SandE-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com er, La Salle's Justin Orr and

1irer.com Phone: (513) 768-8381

~-~-~,

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2004

±•••••••••••••••--------

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lloeller's Brackman stands tall Crusaders' senior named basketball Player of Year

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller senior Andrew Brackman faced stiff competition for the Enquirer/Channel 9 boys' basketball Player of the Year trophy.

Mostly, that competition was on his own team.

Brackman, a 6-foot-10 forward, emerged as the top scorer on a Moeller team that

featured fellow senior Josh Duncan, who was the Enquirer/ Channel 9 boys' Player of Brackman !he. Y~ar as a JUruor m 200203. Add in senior guard Bubba Walther, and Moeller's Big Three leave with a Division I

All-star teams Division I and Divisions II-IV boys basketball all-stars, C6 state title (2003) and regional final appearance (2004).

"Josh and Bubba really helped me out," Brackman said. "I couldn't have done it without them. They're the ones who were feeding me

the ball."

Brackman led the Greater Catholic League South in scoring (20.2 per game) and field goal shooting (65.4 percent). He was second in foul shooting (88.2 percent) and third in rebounding (6.5 per game) and helped Moeller (22-3) to the Division I reSee BRACKMAN, Page C6

Brackman's basketball honors Moeller's Andrew Brackman is the 2003-04 Enquirer/ Channel 9 boys' basketball Player of the Year. Some of his achievements: • Associated Press Division I tri-p layer of the year in Ohio.

• Runner-up in AP Ohio Mr. Basketball voting.

• AP Southwest District Player of the Year. · • First team All-Greater Cath-

olic League South.

• Led GCL South in scoring (20.2 ppg) and field goal shooting (65.4 percent), and was second in foul shooting (88.2 percent) and third in rebounding (6.5 per game).

Helped lead Moeller (22-3) to Division I regional finals.

• As junior, averaged 14 points to help lead Moeller to the state championship.

j',f

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Brackman feet-1 and JUnds as a nan, but into a domiinside force ne Crusaders. added 9 inches d 80 pounds by s senior season, juring which he averaged 20.2 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.

The EnQuirer/ JEFF SWINGER

'

'

.

' ~1'

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Brackman: Sr. bound for N.C. State From PageCl

gional finals.

He was runner-up in the Associated Press Ohio "Mr. Basketball" voting, was named AP Division I tri-player of the year in Ohio, AP Southwest District Player of the Year and first team AllGeL South.

Brackman has signed with North Carolina State to play basketball and baseball. He is rated the No. 1 senior basketball player in Ohio by recruiting expert Bob Gibbons, and as a baseball pitcher he is the No. 1-rated prospect in Ohio by rivals. com.

Brackman is expected to contribute immediately to the N.C. State basketball program as a

"He has only scratched the surface as a basketball player. " N.C. State coach Herh Sendek on Moeller's Andrew Brackman

freshman next season.

"He is a tough, versatile player with terrific touch and agility for his size," NC State coach Herb Sendek said, shortly after Brackman signed last November. "He has only scratched the surface as a basketball player."

As a junior, Brackman averaged 14 points as Moeller won the state title. Duncan led Moeller's state title team as a junior, and while he also had an outstanding senior season (17 points, 7 rebounds per game), Brackman had the edge iq .most statistical

season 'The thing that makes Andrew special, to me, is he's very competitive," Kremer said. "When he gets into a competitive situation, he just takes it right at people."

Brackman, son of former Hughes High School coach Mark Brackman, said his first love is baseball. He could be an earlyround choice in the June amateur baseball draft, but for now plans to play college basketball and baseball.

"I've always had the (basketball) skills; I just wasn't mature physically," Brackman said.

"Once that came into play, the rest just fell into place."

categories.

"Brack was always very skilled, but as he matured physically and caught up with his growth, he really became a dominant player," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

As a freshman, Brackman was a slender &1, 125-pound point guard, but he kept growing and became an inside player, having added 9 inches and 80 pounds since. At &10 and 205 pounds, he still handles the ball like a point guard and sometimes brought the ball upcourt for Moeller this E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com ,.

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Ohio boys hoops All-Stars win with ease The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller's Duncan leads Tristate contingent with nine-point effort

CRES1VIEW HU.S, Ky. The Buckeye delegation in tlle Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game entered Saturday night's affair with a bit of a chip on its shoulder.

It left with an impressive 80-67 win over its Bluegrass counterpart at Thomas More College.

"It's a pride thing," said Moeller coach Carl Kremer, who headed up the Ohio squad. "Kentucky sees itself as the basketball state. But we like to think we have great high school basketball in Ohio, too. So we used that as motivation."

The team got added motivation

during warmups, when the extremely athletic Kentucky squad got most of the crowd's attention with an exhibition of circus dunks.

"We told the guys not to look down (totheotherendofthecourt) during warmups," Kremer said.

"We knew they were going to put on a dunk show. We said, 'It's not about that. It's about basketball and teamwork.'"

Ohio got off to a quick start with a pair of 3-pointers, the :first coming when Moeller's Josh Duncan banked one home from the top of the key.

By Ryan Ernst

"It actually felt good," Duncan said. "But the defender was up on me, so I had to get it off quicker than I though. But hey, it went in."

Duncan led all Tristate scorers with nine points, while Moeller teammate Bubba Walther tallied three points. Princeton's Mark Dorris had two points and four rebounds and Bishop Brossart's Derrick Rhoden recorded two points and three rebounds.

Ohio stretched its lead to 164 when Walther came up with a steal, then dished to a trailing Matt Terwilliger for a dunk. Ohio then

stretched the lead to 29-11 with just more than eight minutes left in the half. The closest Kentucky came after that was at 39-33 on the :first basket of the second half.

Kremer credited his team's selflessness with the win.

"I thought for an all-star game, they really came together as a group," he said.

GIRLS' GAME: Boone County forward Tangie Sellers led all local scorers with eight points as Kentucky pulled away for an 81-70 win.

But the biggest stars for the Bluegrass were backcourt mates

stretch to help seal the win.

Sellers, an Eastern lllinois signee, also tallied three rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot in her 12 minutes of play. She said the game gave her a pretty good idea of what college basketball will be like.

"I knew it was going to be physical, but this was still more physical than what I'm used to," she said.

Oak Hills forward lisa Rusche scored four points and pulled down six rebounds for Ohio. Princeton's Danielle Duncan scored one point.

Newport Central Catholic's Nicole Chiodi was scoreless for Kentucky.

Patrika Barlow and Anitha Williams. Each scored 10 points to lead all scorers and Barlow, who has collllllitted to Louisville, added four assists to earn MVP honors.

"Our guard play was just amazing," Sellers said. "We had to try and trap them in practice and I said, 'I can't keep up with her.' " After trailing the entire :first half, Kentucky got back in the ballgame midway through the second half.

Megan McGrath hit a 3-pointer to give Kentucky its :first lead, 54-52, then hit a pair of free throws. Barlow hit two free throws down the E-mail rernst@enquirer. com

"

Community I Prep I Youth

A12 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 Loveland Herald

SPORTS &

I_~

George Schutte Community Sports Editor 248-7130, ext. 227

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Crusaders won't be satisfied without state title

By George Schutte Sports Editor

The last two times Moeller had to heat Re"'vercreek in the district finals, they won the Division I state basketball title (1999, 2003). Each time it has been a different player who has stepped up for the Crusaders.

"We've been blessed over the last few years," coach Carl Kremer said. "In that we've always had someone step up and play in an extraordinary way in a big game. You expect that from your seniors, this is their time."

The same will be expected from this years squad as well.

Against a determined Beavercreek team in the district finals, Josh Duncan took over iQ the fourth quarter.

Duncan scored Moeller's first l l points of the quarter and converted nine of nine free throws, in the quarter, to seal the 55-53 win.

"I thought Josh was overlooked at the end of this year for postseason awards," Kremer said. "Josh has always been a leader, he's taken this team on his back. I thought his will and determination was exceptional on Saturday."

While others may have been surprised by how close the Beavers played Moeller, the game unfolded similar to what Kremer had expected.

"We were worried about facing them on Saturday.

They play hard and are well coached," Kremer said.

"Hopefully it's a good thing

we faced them. Each time we've won state, they've been a part of it."

The next task for the Crusaders will be Columbus Mifflin on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Fairgrounds: "They've got a couple of great players," Kremer said.

"They're a big team who is very aggressive."

Mifflin srarts a lineup that dvals Moeller's in size with four players who are at least ' 6-foot-4. Mifflin comes into the bout with 22-2 record.

Even with the district title, Moeller's goal remains the same.

"The state title is what we've been driven by," Kremer said. "We were pleased to win sectional and district and a share of our league, but

a

Andrew Brackman goes up for a basket against Beavercreek in the district final.

ultimately, we've ne~r kidded ourselves. We wa to be the first team in 30 y ars to be back to back state champs."

Should Moeller advance past Mifflin they would face potential matchups against Columbus Brookhaven, the

.

---· _E SCHUTTE!STAFF

The Crusaders celebrate their second straight district title over Beavercreek with their fans.

team who they defeated 73- state final.

65 last year for the title, and gschutte@communitypress.com could face Greater Catholic 248-7570 League rival La Salle in the

Moeller 55, Beavercreek 53

3- J-4-0t../

With Moeller on ropes, Duncantakesconunand Leads Crusaders with 27 points

By Tom Croeschen 111e Cincinr.ati Enquirer

Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan scored 27 points and the Crusaders lived to defend their Division I boys' basketball state title Saturday night, with a tough 55-53 win over underdog Beavercreek.

The win, before about 5,000 fans at Xavier's Cintas Center, sends Moeller to the regional semifinals vs. Columbus Mifflin on Thursday (7 p.m.) at Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum. Moeller is two games from again reaching the Fmal Four, where Duncan was tournament MVP last season.

"I thoughtJosh had a look in his eye that he wasn't going to let us lose," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

Duncan confirmed that.

"I was going to do everything possible to win this game for my team," he said. "Being Moeller, we're always going to get everyone's best game. " Moeller senior for.. o:;rd Andrew Brackman scored the decisive basket, a lay-in with 47.7 seconds left that gave the Crusaders a 55-53 lead. Brackman had 14 points.

Duncan's 27 points included 19of-21 free throws, including 9-for-9 in the fourth quarter. With the game tight throughout, Duncan scored Moeller's first 11 points of the fourth quarter to keep the Crusaders either ahead or close.

Duncan also had nine rebounds, pacing Moeller to a 29-13 edge on the boards.

In the end, Beavercreek 6-foot-6 star forward Jerome Tillman (21 points) went one-on-one vs. Moeller's 6-8 Tyler Dierkers in an attempt to win the game.

Tillman, dribbling away most of the final20 seconds, finally lofted a 3-pointer from the top of the key with about 4 seconds remaining.

The ball kicked off the right side of the rim, and Moeller cleared therebound and began celebrating. The Crusaders rushed the court to congratulate each other, then cut down the nets in a district finals tradition.

"It wasn't a work of art, but in the district, the only issue is survival," Kremer said. "There are only 16 teams left; that's all that matters."

Moeller was out-shot 56 percent to 42 percent from the floor, but held. a 27-13 edge at the foul line.

Moeller took 36 foul shots and Bea-

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Moeller's Bubba Walther, who scored nine points Saturday, passes over Jeremy Fruhwirth of Beavercreek in the Division I district championship game at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

vercreek 20.

Moeller's offensive rebounding was key to the foul differential, as the Crusaders were hacked many times on follow shots. Moeller held a 17-2 edge in second-chance points, with the team's extreme height (four players 6-foot-7 or taller) coming into play as usual.

Moeller has opted to go through a Columbus regional, with Greater

Catholic League South rival La Salle going through Dayton.

Should Moeller and La Salle both win out, they'd meet in the state finals March 27.

Moeller was ranked No.2 in the final Associated Press poll of the regular season, while Beavercreek was unranked.

Moeller's win over Beavercreek could be a good omen. The Crusad-

ers ousted Beavercreek in the regional finals in 1999 and in the districts in 2003, then won the state title each time. ~lOEU.ER D:~"!;-E'"!

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Division I at Cintas Center

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Crusaders continue march Moeller's .,atrlck Watt and Lakota West's .

Dane Romero battle for a loose ball Sunday during their Division I tournament game at Xavier's Cintas Center. Moeller won and will play Beavercreek Sunday.

Explode for 37 in third quarter

By Ryan Ernst The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller, the defending boys basketball Divisiqn I si:ate champion, used a 37-point outburst in the third quarter Sunday to pull away from Lakota West in the sectional final at Cintas Center and win 88-69.

After trailing for much of the first half, the Crusaders regained the leal:l. with just under a minute remaining. in the second quarter.

Ryan Trainor put back his own miss to put Moeller ahead 33-32, and it never trailed again. .

The basket started what turned outl to be a 40-10 run, lasting through the third quarter.

"In the first half, we got a little excited, and (Lakota West) did a great job:" Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. " ... But in the second half. we did! a better job and hit some shots.

We're a very explosive team because we have some great athletes."

No player showed more athleticism than Josh Duncan. The Xavier signee, playing at Cintas for the fourth time this season, led all scorers with 24 points, including 10 during the third quarter rally. ·Halfway through the quarter, widi Moeller threatening to push its fead (o 20 points, Duncan had a steal, dunk and 3-pointer all within a 40-_second span. . !:-

The Enquirer/ STEVEN M. HERPPICH

Asked about his· big performance in his future home areria, Duncan smiled. ''Yeah," he said, "I think Hike the feel of this court."

Andrew Brackman helped pace Moeller with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Next, the Crusaders take on Beavercreek at 8:45p.m. Sunday at Cintas Center. lAKOTA WEST- Chichester 2 0 4, C3sper 2 2 7, Romero 3 211. laCtlapetle 6 416, Tay1orl2 5, Bain 02 2. Smith 2 2 6, Hansfonl I 0 3, Gschwind 2 0 5, Rasor 0 I I, Ratllje 4 I 9.

Tota:s: 23 16 69.

MOEI.LEII" WaltherS 315, Childress 2 2 7, Duncan 9 4 24, Watt! 02, Brackman 6 7 20, Gomezl3 5, Dlel1<ers4 OB, Traioor I 0 2, carter I 0 3, Jeunger I 0 2. Totals: 31 19 88.

LalcotaWHt----· 15 17 13 24-69 ........ -·-·--·-....·-·-·. 12 22 37 17 -88 3's: l 7 (Cssper, Romero 3, Taylor, Hansfonl, Gschwind); M 7 (Walther 2, Childress, Duncan 2. Bracl<man, carter).

Oak HiUs 68, Elder 44 The Highlanders opened the fourth quarter with a 23-5 run en route to the sectional title.

"In the fourth· quarter, we just kept rushing them and they made too many fast decisions," Oak Hills coach Mike Price said. "And that helped us."

Oak Hills vvill face Hamilton at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cintas Center.

OAK HillS-Smith 6316, Ray4112, King3 39, Kramer 3 5- II, Schroeder 3 7 1~. Metzger 0 I 1, Cornelius I I 3, Weimer 113. Totals: 2122 88.

ElDER- Walters 52 13, Schuennon 113, carey 2 I 6, Sander 2 15, Wood 2 15, !)'Conner 2 0 5, Sommell<amp 2 0 4, BesslerO 2 2, lucas 0 II. Totals: 16 9 44.

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Moeller 73, Mount Healthy 38

3-2

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Crusaders begin defense of state title XU-bound Duncan scores 19 on his future home court

By Alex Blumer E11quirer co11tributor

Moeller began its defense of the Division I state high school basketball title in dominating fashion Monday night.

The Crusaders, the Enquirer city champions and the No. 2-ranked team in Ohio, got 19 points from Josh Duncan as they pummeled Mount Healthy 73-38 in the lirst round of sectional play at Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University.

Moeller (19-2) never even apJroached the fate of its Greater :::atholic League rival St. Xavier, Nhich was upset by Colerain in its irst sectional game last week. ''You can'ttakeanyteam lightly," )uncan said. ''You've gotto play ev-

ery game like it's your last, and tonight we did that."

The Crusaders overwhelmed Mount Healthy with their size and athleticism. Both were on display at 4:32 of the second quarter.

The 6-foot-9 Andrew Brackman intercepted a pass at midcourt and fed it to 6-3 Bubba Walther, who gave it right back to a cutting Brackman for the layup and a free throw that gave Moeller a 31-10 lead and essentially ended the game.

"I thought we played with great energy the whole game," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "We didn't let them dictate the tempo, which was the key."

Duncan scored eight of Moeller's first 12 points as the Crusaders jumped to a 16-3lead.

Playing on his future home floor

halftime, either, outscoring Mount Healthy 16-4 in the thrrd quarter.

For Moeller, Brackman had 12 points, nine in the first half.

The Division Ill girls' basketball Walther added 11 points, mcludsectional finals at Goshen have been ing a devastating crossover dribble drive in the decisive second quarter moved from from today to Wednesthat left his defender in a heap on day because of a conflict with the the floor. scheduling of a boys' tournament Wand Newman led Mount game. On Wednesday, Madison will Healthy (2-19) with eight points. play Madeira in the upper bracket fiMoeller returns to Cintas Center nal at 6 p.m. and Mariemont will play to play 11th-seeded Lakota West at CHCA in the lower bracket final at 6 p.m. Sunday.

7:30p.m.

"Our guys understand there's tremendous pressure on them," seemed agree with the Xavier- Kremer said. "(But) I really believe bound senior, who hit three 3-point- our guys are on a crusade, no pun intended." ers in the game.

'We moved the ball around well, (2·19) - E. JohnS<Jn 0 2 2, Brii&' 3 0 6, which created open shots for us, GrantMl'3 0HE'ALTIIY 6, Newman 3 0 8, Abernathy 1 0 2, Brunson 3 0 6, nder 10 2. Billups 2 0 4, D. Smith I 0 2. Tolals: 17 2 38. and we were hitting them," said Ale..MO£I.l.£Jt (19-21 • Walther 5 0 11, Childress 3 0 6, Duncan, who also Jed Moeller with Oun<an 8 o 19. Wan 3 0 6. Brockmon 52 12, DICr'<ers 2 0 4.

Carter 0 2 2. Juenger 2 0 4, G. Brown 2 2 7, Farrell! 0 2. five rebounds.

Tntals. 31 6 73.

Mt. llultll)'__ 8 7 4 21-38 After a bit of a lull that saw the ......... ___ 16 26 16 15-73 Owls close to within 16-8, Moeller 3-00inters: MD 5(0uncan 3,-Walther, Brown): MH 2 (Newman Moeller's Andrew Brackman blocks the shot of Mount Healthy's 2). closed out the half on a 26-5 run.

Wand Newman Monday night at Cintas Center.

The Crusaders didn't let up after

Goshen sectional finals on Wednesday

2-24-cy

Moeller, Taft are crowned champs

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller won the 2003-04 Enquirer Division I boys' basketball coaches' poll championship Monday, after beating previous No.1LaSalle74-61intheregular season finale.

Moeller (18-2) was the preseason No. 1 after winning the state championship last season.

La Salle (19-1) gained the top spot after upsetting Moeller 5251 on Jan. 23, but Moeller regained the top spot after beating the Lancers 74-61 last Friday.

Moeller had six first-place votes ¡ and 86 poll points, to La Salle's three first-place votes and 82 points.

Taft (18-2) nudged North College Hill (20-0) for the Divisions II-IV poll title, with 86 points to 85. Taft, a Division II team, was ranked No. 1 ahead of No. 2 NOH forth~ final five weeks of the season.

Moeller coach Carl Kremer said the Crusaders place the league and tournament schedule iiliead of poll rankings, but said Moeller is "honored" to be voted No.1. Moeller finished No.4 in last year's Enquirer rankings and then won the state tourney.

"It's always an honor when the other -coaches vote you No. 1," Kremer said. "I also want to take my hat off to La Salle for the tremendous season they had."

La Salle lost top scorer Justin Orr to a season-ending knee injury last Thursday. Lancers coach Dan Fleming said Orr will have surgery Friday.

"Some people think Justin will come back and play this year, but it's not going to happen," Fleming said.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller 74, La Salle 61

Crusaders knock off top-ranked Lancers

Em~uirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Tile Cincinnati

La Salle's Darenn Mansoor is pressured by Moeller's Andrew Gomez on Friday night.

Moeller avenges earlier defeat to Orr-less La Salle

By Tom Groeschen 17w Cincinnati E11quirer

Moeller got 30 points from senior forward Andrew Brackman and La Salle could not overcome the absence of injured star Justin Orr, as the Crusaders won 74-61 at Moeller on Friday night.

La Salle, 19-0 and ranked Xo. 1 in both the E11quirer and Associated Press Division I state polls, learned Thursday that Orr - its top scorer at 18.4 points per game - would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Moeller, 17-2 and ranked No. 2 by the Enquirer and No. 3 in the state, rolled to a 21-point lead in the second quarter (40-19) and cruised from there.

The Crusaders forged a tie with La Salle for the Greater Catholic League South title, both teams finishing 11-1 as the league closed do\\'Il the regular season.

"Most people thought we'd beat them by 20 without Orr, but we knew tl1ey were more than a one-man team," l\1oeller senior guard Bubba \Valtl1er said. "We knew how tough they were. Any time you beat the No. 1 team in the state, you know you've done something."

But it wasn't till' same Lancer team that upset then-No. 1 :vlot•ller 52-51 at La Salle on Jan. 23.

Without 6-foot-6 forward Orr, La Salle has no other player averaging at least 10 points per game.

La Salle played a smart, patient game and worked the ball well offensively.

Lancers forward Zach Welter scored 19 points, fonvard Colin Flynn had 12 and guard DilrC'nn Mansoor scored 10, but La Salle couldn't match the offC'nsive might of Moeller.

Moeller's so-called "Big Three" of Brackman (30 points, eight rebounds), 6-8 fonvardJosh Duncan (18 points, seven rebounds) and point guard Walther (13 points, six rebounds, seven assists) combined for 61 points after

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Moeller's Andrew Brackman, who scored 30 poir,ts, sinks areverse layup in the second quarter of Friday's "Vin over La Salle.

just 38 in the first La Salle game.

Moeller. with four players at least 6-foot-8, had too much size for a La Salle team witl1 only one player as tall as 6-6. "lbcy killed us on the boards (45-26), and we dug ourselves a big hole there in the second quarter," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "But I was proud of how we fought back. and the fact that we won thP SC'cond half."

La Salle outscored Moeller 3834 after halftime and was as close as 10 points with 2:45 left, but a barrage of 3-pointers (La Salle made 12 to .:vloeller's two) wa!'m't enough to ch.ip the lead under double figures.

Moeller coach Carl Kremer saluted La Salle's effort, coming before a pro-::0.·1oeller crowd on the

Crusaders' senior night.

"We wen. prrtty close to knocking ilim1 out there in the second quartf'r, and they hung in there," Kren:er said. "To their credit. they p_ayed us tough."

Moeller's win throws the state and Enquirer polls into some doubt. The fnal voting for both will be condncted over the next few days, wif1 results announced next week.

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Lancers' offense cools without Orr La Salle's scoring lulls let Moeller run away ~ith game

By Mark Schmelzer Enquirer contrib11tor

La Salle fans who don't follow Cniversity of Cincinnati basketball now can identify with Bear· cats supporters.

UC fans saw their title hopes go down the drain when national player of the year Kenyon Martin suffered a broken leg in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament his senior year.

And Lancer fans can only pray for a miracle after seeing what life will be like for their team without Justin Orr. Orr, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, sat out Friday's game with Moeller because of a seasonending knee injury. The Lancers, who entered the game ranked

No. lin the stateandE1lquirerDivision I polls and beat the Crusaders by one point on Orr's 3-pointer earlier in the season, lost 74-61 in the rematch.

"It was tough watching, but the team fought hard," Orr said.

'That made me feel good."

Orr could only sit and watch as La Salle's offense produced open shot after open shot from the perimeter in the second quarter.

But the only one that connected was Tun Teepe's 15-foot jumper from the free-throw line with 4:53 left in the quarter; the other two field goals were a putback by Zach Welter and one off a steal of an inbounds pass by Darenn Mansoor.

Moeller expanded its lead to as

many as21points in the quarter to take control of the game.

'That's where we really missed Justin," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "We hit a dry spell there.

When we w::mld hit a dry spell before,Justin would still hit a couple of baskets Dr get a couple of rebounds."

The Lancers also missed Orr's defense on :\1oeller senior Justin Brackman. who had 30 points Friday after scoring just 15 with Orr defending :lim in the first game.

The goo ;i news for La Salle was Orr's replacement, 6-foot-4 senior Zach Wdter, scored a team-high 19 points in his first non-Senior Night start of the season.

"He still hasn't reached his potential," Orr said.

High school basketball! No. 2 beats No. 1

Moeller rolls in La Salle rematch Hamilton wins GMC title The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller got its revenge and a share of the Greater Catholic League South title.

Playing without injured star Justin Orr, top-ranked I.a Salle just couldn't match the second-ranked Crusaders, who got 30 points from senior forward Andrew Brackman to win 74-.61 at Moeller on Friday night, avenging an earlier loss to the lancers.

It was the first loss of the season for I.a Salle (19-1, 11-1 GCLS). Moeller finishes 18-2, 11-1.

The Crusaders rolled to a 21-point lead in the second quarter (40.19) and cruised.

In another top matchup, l.atez Williams led Hamilton to the Greater Miami Conference title as the Big Blue beat Princeton 50.48 in overtime.

Elsewhere Friday, North College Hill freshman sensation OJ. Mayo was one steal from a quadruple-double. He had 49 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and nine steals in a win over Cincinnati Christian.

Stories, C12

Thomas honored Mel Thomas, a 5-foot-9 senior guard for Mount Notre Dame, was named to the McDonald's All-American girls basketball team. Thomas, who The Cincinnati EnqUirer/ JEFF SWINGER averages 20.5 points a game, is the second Cincinnati-area Moeller's Josh Duncan dunks over La Salle's Tim Teepe in the second quarter of their game at Moeller Friday. Duncan finished with 18 points. girl to earn the honor. C12

HIGH SCHOOLS Boys basketball polls Teat~~

DIVISION I Rocont Pvs. Points

I. La Salle (8) ....................

18.0 I 80 2. Moeller........................... 17-2 2 72 3. Hamilton........

17-2 3 64 4. PrincetDn........

17-2 5 51 5. St Xavier........................ 13-5 4 49 6. Winton Woods................ 16-3 6 32 7. Oak Hills........................ 13-5 7 29 8.lakDta West................... 11-7 8 20 9. Western Hills.................. 14-4 9 12 10. Withrow........................ 14-5 NR 10 Olbon: Mason 9, Anderson 7, Springboro 3,LakDta

?z,CweJ~(~) ' e.~. /1, :k)G~ HIGH SCHOOLS Boys basketbaH poD COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - How a state panel of ;ports wnters and broadcasters rates Ohio hlgfi school >Oys basketball teams In tile fifth weekly Associated â&#x20AC;˘ress poll of 2004, by OHSAA divisions, witll won-lost ecord and total points (first-place votes in parentlle-

es):

-

I, Liosllle (261 1~ I (,~fS_~r (7) 16:0 ...................

325 ~~I

I, Troy (1) 15-1.... ...............................

219 i, Cols. Brookhaven 15-2.......................

168 I, Can. McKinley 14-2 ..........................

152 ', Lakewood St. Edward 13-3.

119 I, Wadsworth 13-1.. .............................

102 1, Spnng. s. 14-2..................................

69 .o, westerville s. 15-2 ..........................

18 Otlleis receMng 12 or more point$: 11, Warren ~rellng 1.~ 12 (tiel, Dublin Scioto, llamillon 14.14,

Sports: The Cincinnati Post

l/27/04 8:48AM

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Moeller emphasizes team

By Marc Lancaster Post staff reporter It happens every fall in college gyms across America.

The touted freshman, used to averaging 20- or 30something points every time he takes the court, realizes what he has gotten himself into. The moment of recognition may come quickly or gradually, but it happens to just about everyone.

For every Carmelo Anthony, who can step in and play a Moeller's Bubba Walther is starring role as a freshman, one of three Crusader seniors there are a few hundred who will be playing Division I recruits who have to alter college basketball next their entire approach to the season. game once they arrive in college. No longer the first option, they often fail to make the list of options altogether when starting their career at the next level.

"A lot of kids who are the primary scorer on their team, that's their biggest adjustment when they move up," said Moeller High School boys' basketball coach Carl Kremer, who knows a thing or two about the process.

There are four former Crusaders playing Division I basketball this season - Mike Monserez at Butler, Nick Monserez at Lehigh, Matt Sylvester at Ohio State and Clint Nagel at Coastal Carolina. The last three were seniors together at Moeller in 2001, so they learned a little something about spreading the ball around. The same lessons are being taught this year.

Led once again by a trio of Division I signees, the Crusaders are in the midst of another memorable season as they attempt to defend their Division I state title. The setup is familiar to Moeller fans, with the "Big Three" of point guard Bubba Walther (Akron), swingman Josh Duncan (Xavier University) and center Andrew Brackman

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Frank Carini Sports editor Lonnie Wheeler Features/columnist Tony Jackson Reds Marc Lancaster Features/Xavier Jason Williams UC basketball Kevin Goheen Bengals Terry Boehmlser Kentucky Preps Dave Tippenhauer Kentucky Sports Director Victoria Sun Univ. of Kentucky LATEST SPORTS NEWS • Saf!n Knocks Qff TooRanked Roddick • Louisville's Pltlno Tatses Medical Leave • Super Bowl Set to Be Petensiye Stryggle • Texas Snaps Texas Tech 12-Game Win ~

• Nets Fire Scott- Name Frank New Coach • Raiders Hire Tyrner to Turn Team Around • James Scores 16in Cavaliers' Win • Rangers Defeat Page I of3

Sports: The Cincinnati Post

1127/04 8:48 AM

(North Carolina State) at the forefront of a unit that has lost only twice this season.

Moeller, the state's second-ranked Division I team, lost, 52-51, Friday night to third-ranked and unbeaten La Salle (12-0, 6-0 GCL South).

Panthers.

5-2

â&#x20AC;˘ Yang' Boone Hurts Knee: May Miss ~

â&#x20AC;˘ Report; Leonsls Grabs Fan at Hockey Game

As if that wasn't enough, the Crusaders (12-2, 6-1) pack up and head to Akron today for a Sunday afternoon showdown with St. Vincent-St. Mary's. LeBron James may be gone, but SVSM remains the state's top-ranked team in Division II. "Going into the season, our big thing was playing the best possible schedule that we could play," Kremer said. "It's never been our goal to have the best overall record. We're not trying to win a city championship. Our goal, simply, is to be the best we can be in March. Now if we win games in doing that, that's great."

It's a mentality familiar to college basketball fans, with everything from November through February serving as buildup for the madness to follow, and Moeller seems to thrive on the attitude that there's always something bigger out there to chase.

Team goals are always the overriding focus at Moeller, but even Kremer acknowledges that the way the Crusaders go about their business can't help but prepare those who will go on to play in college to excel when they get there. That's why no one bats an eye when Duncan, the lone junior on the Division I Associated Press all-state team last season, isn't the high scorer or rebounder on his own team.

His averages in both categories are down from last year's numbers (18 to 16.5 in points and 9.9 to 6.2 in rebounds) as Brackman's stats have improved to 19.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Kremer believes that statistical trend is rooted in the decision to flip-flop the two seniors' responsibilities this year. Duncan's 6-foot-8 frame is equally suited to play inside and outside, and he has come out from the low post to play on the perimeter, while the 6-9 Brackman has gone into the paint. It's a change that has worked well for the Crusaders on the court, but the reasoning behind it ran a bit deeper.

"Josh, coming off his (offseason) knee surgery, practiced only one time before playing in a game, so we were a little bit uncertain as to what Josh's ability level would be the first half of the season," Kremer said. "And the fact that Brackman was going to play four in college and Duncan was going to play two or three in college, it seemed like a good move for us to make for the kids, too."

So far, everyone is pleased with the results. Heading into Friday's game against the Lancers, the Crusaders were averaging 70.4 points per game, and their three stars were contributing 50.4 of those points, with Walther checking in at 14.5 per game. Kremer said he believes any of the three would easily average 25 points on most high school teams, but the players don't seem to have a problem with the setup.

"I'm fine with it, it's a team game," Duncan said. ''We're just so good this year in different places that anybody's likely to have a big night. As long as we're playing as a team, that's alii care about." http://www.cincypost.com/2004/0l/24/moellerOI-24-2004.html

Page 2 of3

Sports: The Cincinnati Post

\

1127/04 8:48 AM

That type of attitude is exactly what college coaches are looking for. They sort through hundreds of players with similarly impressive stats as they make their rounds on the recruiting trail, but it's the way those players approach the game that makes the difference.

On that front, Xavier coach Thad Matta couldn't be more excited about having Duncan join his program next season.

"Any time you are fortunate enough to get a kid from a great program, it definitely makes things easier for the transitional stage of coming to college," Matta said. "That's been a huge catalyst for the success that Moeller's had. Carl's done a great job of putting the team first and his players have bought into it."

Publication Date: 01-24-2004

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Page 3 of3

High school basketball! No. 1 Moeller falls to No. 2 La Salle

Lancers poke a hole â&#x20AC;˘ ID rusaders' armor

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Patrick Watt is guarded by La Salle's Darenn Mansoor during Friday night's game at La Salle.

Orr's trey with :07 left lifts La Salle to 52-51 win

By Tom ~roeschen The Cincmnati Enquirer

With one shot, La Salle star Justin Orr punctured Moeller's aura of invincibility and sent shockwaves through Ohio prep basketball Friday night.

Orr, nephew of former NBA player Louis Orr, hit a 3-point shot from the top of the key with seven seconds left, lifting No. 2 La Salle past No. 1 Moeller 52-51 in

a battle of the Enquirer's two top-ranked Division I teams.

A sellout crowd of about 1,000 packed into La Salle's steamy gym for the Greater Catholic League South game, the most anticipated game of the 2003-04 Cincinnati boys basketball season.

Hundreds of fans stormed onto the court af. terward to mob Orr and La Salle players.

Inside Madeira rallies in fourth quarter to win at Indian Hill. C2

Orr led La Salle with 16 points and six rebounds, and Colin Flynn scored 13 points.

"It's the ultimate feeling, beating a great team with the last shot," Orr said, shouting above the din at midcourt shortly after the

game. 'The play was just for whoever could get open to take the shot. ... I'm kind of shocked myself right now."

Moeller, the defending Ohio Division I state champion, had been beating Cincinnati-area teams by an average of 27 points and had lost only to Oak Hill Academy (Va.), USA Today's No. 1-rated team.

Moeller entered as the No. 12-rated team national-

ly by USA Today, and the Crusaders and La Salle rank Nos. 2-3 in the state, respectively.

Moeller has been called one of the greatest teams ever to take the floor in Cincinnati, with three Division I college signees in forwards Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State), Josh Duncan (Xavier) and guard Bubba Walther (AkSee LA SALLE, Page C2

WE

C2 SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2004

HIGH SCHOOLS

.La Salle:

'No.2 gets better of No.1 From PageCl ron). But Orr, a Division I prospect himself and reportedly leaning toward Miami University, hit the shot of his life Friday.

After Orr worked free and hit his 3-pointer, Moeller's Walther got the ball inbounds and raced upcourt.

He launched a desperation shot from about 40 feet away that bounced off the rim, ending the game.

Moeller's players, trying to get through the happy La Salle crowd afterward, shook hands as best they could with La Salle players and then walked quietly to their dressing room.

"We'll take a serious look at what happened, and then we'll try and get better," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. 'They played us hard and they should get the credit. They have a very good player who just made a great shot."

The game was tight throughout, with La Salle grabbing a 2~ 23 lead by halftime.

Moeller forged ahead 40-34 after three quarters, but La Salle kept hanging around despite lacking the three-headed firepower of Duncan (17 points), Brackman (15) and Walther.

Waltherwasheld to six points, leaving him at 999 for his career.

"We played hard and put ourselves in a situation where we could win," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "We've got a lot of heart. They've maybe got better players than us, but we've got guys that just do what we say and do everything they can to win."

Moeller, with its extreme height (four players 6 feet 8 or taller), forced La Salle to shoot outside by playing zone defense most of the game.

The Lancers, who do have five players ~5 or better but not the inside scoring punch of Moeller, fired up 28 3-point shots and made only seven. But the Lancers saved the biggest until the end.

At the end, Orr flashed to the top of the circle and, after dribbling from left to right, he rose up and buried the game-winner.

La Salle's pressure defense forced 19 Moeller turnovers,

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Moeller's 1)1er Dlerkers ·gees to the hoop against La Salle's Zach Welter during their Greater · Catholic League South game Friday night at La Salle. Dierkers scored seven poirts.

while the Lancers committed only nine. Moeller held a 34-30 rebounding edge, led by Brackman's nine boards.

La Salle limited Moell::r to only 27 field-goal attempts (Moeller hit ju!>t 11, tor 40.7 percEnt), but the Lancers sent the Crusaders to the foul !ine 39 times (Moeller made27).

La Salle was just 18-of-57 from the fitld (32 pt>rcent) and 9-of-15 from the line but won partially be-

cause of its plan to limit Moeller's field-goal opportunities.

La Salle had been the last Ohio team to beat Moeller, 68-56 in the 2002-03 regular-season finale at La Salle Moeller since had gone 1~0 vs. Ohio teams - 7-0 on its state tit:.e run and then 9-0 this season.

"Naturally it feels great to beat a team that's nationally ranked, but nov. we've got McNicholas and that'll be a tough game,"

Fleming said. "'We can't celebrate for too long, but we11 just try to keep vinning our next game and then go from there."

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Moeller 76, Sl Xavier 72

Walther saves Crusaders with 8 points in stretch Attention turns to rematch with undefeated La Salle

By Mark Schmetzer Enquirer contributor

Ever since La Salle knocked off defending Division I state champion Moeller last month, this coming Friday's season-ending rematch has been the "Game of the Year."

St. Xavier's Johnny WoH almost ripped the luster right off of it.

The junior guard erupted for a career-high 34 points against Moeller on Sunday, but the Crusaders got a clutch fourth-quarter performance from senior guard Bubba Walther for a 7fr72 win before a sellout crowd at St Xavier's 1,700seat gymnasium.

Moeller (17-2, 10-1) remains one game behind La Salle in the Greater Catholic League South going into its game at Moeller on Friday.

The Lancers (18-0, 11-0) play Oak Hills in a non-league game on Tuesday.

After senior Josh Duncan made a free throw to give Moeller a 58-57 lead with 4:58 remaining, Walther scored eight of his 14 points during a 10-4 Crusader run that left them with a seven-point lead, 68-61, their largest of the game.

The Crusaders went 8-for-12 from the free-throw line in the last 1:36 to make the lead stand up.

"We asked Bubba to run the team at the point, and he came up with some big baskets at the end," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

"Bubba did what Bubba does best."

"I was frustrated in the first half," said Walther, who was averaging 14.2 points per game. "I wasn't makbg my shots. The coaches told me all week that, even if I don't score and the team wins, then I've done my job."

The first half featured eight lead changes and four ties before WoH and junior guard ~icholas Leibold teamed up to personally produce an 8-0 run in the last 1:32 that left the Bombers with a 39-30 halftime lead.

Wolfs fourth and last 3-pointer of the game gave St Xavier (13-5, &4) its largest lead of the game, 4232, with 6:55 left in the third quarter.

"Johnny outdid himseH today," Bombers coach Scott Martin said.

"He did everything for us. He was a

The Circ'n'nti Enqu •utCR·H:l "<::··> _;

Moeller's Josh Duncan slam dunks over St. Xavier's Kyle Gibler Sunday. Duncan had 20 points in the Crusaders' 76-72 victory.

great team leader for us."

But the Bombers missed frof-9 free throws in the quarter, opening the door for Moeller's comeback.

Crusaders senior Andrew Brackman, who led Moeller with 29 points, converted a three-point play to complete the comeback and forge a 53-53 tie with 7:05left in the game.

"I think we found something out about ourselves in the second half that's going to carry us a long way," Kremer said. "We learned that if we sit down and play good defense and play unselfish, we can overcome adversity and come back and win."

"For some reason, we didn't have the fire in our stomachs that we had last year," Walther said.

"Even after we lost to La Salle, we still didn't, but to come in here and beat our biggest rivals, that will give us confidence - real confidence."

MODJ.ER(17·2,10-11- w;-:•:·4414. Dc.c~co 592C. o c::•.,; 12 4, Trc ... -• 0 2 4.1'.'"'- 3 I 7, cc-:: ~: ., 91129.

T::!•·:: 22 29 76 ST. XAVIm (13-5, 6-41 .. 1.::"1 3 5 12. •:: ,. 9 12 34.

Ge:!c~o I I 4, ll'CjO J 0 6. :.t c:.~ 2 0 o G.J::·· 0 2 2 Sc"oc·'~'t 2 0 4.1a-r:;: 23 19 72.

M<>oller 20 10 20 26 -76 St.x...ter--19 20 14 19-72

Boys basketball

/. .. 2 8 -D4

Lancers sit atop state poll They take over in Division I after 1-point win over Moeller Enquirer news services

COLUMBUS - 'The La Salle Lancers took over as the No. 1 Divi· sion I team in the Associated Press 0 hio poll, replacing Canton McKin· ley.

Two other No. ls were replaced in the third weekly poll, which was released Tuesday. LaGrange Key· stone traded places with Akron St. Vmcent-St. Mary to move up a spot in Division II, and Sebring Me· Kinley reversed positions with previousNo.lNewWashingtonBuck· eye Central in Division IV. The only h~ldover was North College Hill in ~ivision III- but the Trojans' lead ph.unmeted from 60 points a week ago to just 23 this time around in the voting by a state media panel.

La Salle pickted up the most points (352) and most first-place votes (28) of any team.

La Salle beg~ tb.e week in third place behind Can ton McKinley and crosstown rival !v.::loeller. The Lane· ers defeated the C:ru.saders 52-51 on a last-second shott on Frin::\y.

North Canton Hoover was sec· ond, 53 points behia.d La Salle, and Moeller was third. McKinley, which lost 79-7!5 to Lakewood St. Edward lastw~ek, fell to fourth, and Troy remainelld fifth.

1- J-J- o~l I

La Salle unseats Moeller as No. 1 La Salle, fresh off Friday night's 52-51 upset victory against Moeller, replaced the Crusaders for the top spot in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll Monday.

'That's really nice, the kids have worked hard. To be ahead of teams like Moeller, St. Xavier, Princeton, and Hamilton, is an honor," said coach Dan Fleming, whose Lancers (12-0) received nine of the 10 first-place votes and expect to improve on their No. 3 state ranking.

Moeller (13-2) slipped to No. 2 in thf> area noll and likelv will

Complete polls, 82 drop from its No. 2 spot in the state poll. Hamilton, St. X and Princeton round out the top five.

Moeller, ranked 12th in USA Today's national poll, needed a rally and last-second shot Sunday to beat Akron St. Vmcent-St. Mary 71-69.¡ Undefeated Mount Notre Dame (13-0) has a firm grasp on the top spot in the girls Division I poll, receiving nine of 10 firstplace votes.

- The Cincinnati Enquirer

USA TODAY

Super 25 rankings High school boys basketball Analysis by Christopher Lawlor 12 . . lb--C-~ Moving up: Three scho"ofs No. 19 White Station (Memphis), No. 21 Peabody (Alexandria, La.) and No. 22 Bakersfield (Calif.) join the Super 25. Peabody enters on the strength of winning the Lake Charles (La.) Boston American Press Tournament. Bakersfield received a boost when C Robert Swift regained his eligibility after winning an appeal with the California Interscholastic Federation. Swift, a Super 25/layer, transferred to Bakersfiel after playing for Garces Memorial (Bakersfield) last season. Previous No..2 Mater Dei falls to No. 11 after losing to No. 5 Peoria (IU.) Central. No. 25 Edgewater (Orlando) slips 16 spots after losing twice but gains 6-6 Kenny Ingram, a heavily recruited football player who just finished that sport.

Player of the week: C-F Kevin Langford totaled 60 points and 46 rebounds in three games as North Crowley (Fort Worth), No. 10 in the South Region, won the Scott Bagg Invitational in Fort Worth.

The 6-9 senior was named MVP. Langford's brother Keith plays for Kansas.

Games of the week: Friday, No. 17 Moeller (Cincinnati) at Elder (Cincinnati). Moeller plays a key Greater Cincinnati Catholic League game at Elder's raucous gym known as "The Pit." . . . Saturday, No. 14 Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) vs. Cardinal Dougherty (Philadelphia) at Saint joseph's University's Alumni Memorial Gym. The game matches Louisville-bound Sebastian Telfair of Lincoln and Villanova-bound Kyle Lowry of Dougherty.

Must-see: Ialani Prep Classic in Honolultl, Tuesday-Saturday. Friday's semifinals could pair four Super 25 teams: No. 1 Oak HiD Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), No. 7 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), No. 12 Mount Vernon (N.Y.) and No. 15 Fairfax (Los Angeles). The tournament sleeper is Dr. Phillips (Orlando) with 6-3 G jason Rich.

Foreign intrigue: Oak HiD has accepted an invitation to participate in a junior club-team tournament jan. 4-6 in Barcelona. Oak Hill will play holiday tournaments in Honolulu and Raleigh, N.C., before leaving for the 12-team international event. Under-17 club teams from Spain, Yugoslavia, Russia, Greece and Italy will participate.

Update: Seattle (Wash.) Prep's Martell Webster, considered one of the nation's premier juniors, is expected to miss at least the first half of the season with a foot injury sustained during a fall workDUt The 6-7, 220-pound Webster averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds as a sophomore.

Milestone: Dick Myers of Gon- · zaga (Washington, D.c.) won his 700th game with a 59-45 victory against St. joseph's Prep (Philadelphia). Myers is 700-355 in 34 years.

Free throws:· Southwestern (Detroit) renamed its gym the Perry Watson Athletic Complex.

Watson, the University of Detroit coach, guided Southwestern for 13 seasons, with a 302-34 record and two Class A state titles. Also, the school retired the jerseys of star players Antoine Joubert and jalen Rose, who both played for Michigan. . . . jack Leasure of McQuaid (Rochester. N.Y.) set a Gonzaga D.C. Classic record with 18 three-pointers in three games. ... Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, Md.) beat Gonzaga (Washington, D.c.) 46-38 as 7-2 center Roy Hibbert scored 22 points, earning MVP honors. . ..

Pike (Indianapolis), No. 10 in the Midwest Region, lost to Bloomington South 47-44 for its first setback in 32 games. . . . UCLAbound josh Shipp scored 40 points and earned MVP honors

after leading No. 15 Fairfax to ·a 65-46 victory against Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) in the Pacific Shores Tournament in Redondo Beach, Calif. .. · Former Washington Wizard Harvey Grant has joined the DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) staff as junior varsity coach. His son jerai, a 6-6 freshman, is on the JV team.

1. Oak Hill Academy,

Previous: 17. Beat then-No. 9 Edgewater (Orlando) 82-77 in Progressive High School Classic. 1mproved to 4-0 in PSAL Brooklyn 1-A, beating William Grady (Brooklyn) 79-63. ·

Previous ranking: 1. Extended win streak to 12 games, beating Ballard (Louisville) 87-71. Has beaten teams from five states.

16. Rice, New York (2-0) ·

Mouth ofWIIson, Va. (12-0).

2. Westchester, Los Angeles (4-0) Previous: 3. Won four games to take the Hawthorne (Calif.) TipOff Classic, beating Taft (R~seda) 65-48 in final.

KMOX Shootout in St. Louis.

14. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (5-0)

· .

15. Fairfax, Los Angeles (4~0)

Previous: 18. Won four games to take the Pacific Shores Tournament championship in Redondo Beach, Calif. .

Previous: 19. Beat Aimtyville 84-51 in Progressive High Sch9ol Basketball Classic. ·

17. MoeUer, Cincinnati (4-0) Previous: 20. Defense limiting four opponents to 42 points a game.

3. St. Anthony, jersey City, NJ. (0-0)

18. Milby, Houston (12-0)

4. Rufus King, Milwaukee (1-0)

Memphis (7·0)

Previous: 22. Won five games Previous: 4. Opens Saturday vs. to take the Outback Steakhouse Peddie School (Hightstown) at Tournament, beating Westfield New jersey Tip Off Classic in Cald- 49-45 for the crown. well.

19. White Station,

Previous: 5. Beat St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) 65-62 at Rubber City Hoopla Showcase and LaFollette (Madison, Wis.) 80-71.

5. Peoria (Dl) Central (6-0) Previous: 8. Beat then-No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)· 7062 at Marshall County Hoopfest and SeagoviUe (DaUas) 70-57 at KMOX Shootout in St. Louis. Extended win streak to 35 games, beating Notre Dame (Peoria) 91-

if:St:_'. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (2-0)'

Previous: 6. Beat Christ the King (Middle Village) 65-44 for its second consecutive win.

7.MontroseChristian, Rockville, Md. (2-0)

PreviOus: Not ranked. Won its 31st consecutive game, beating RaleighcEgypt 49-47.

20. Dudley"' Greensboro, N.C. (6.-1)

Previous: 16. Lost to then-No. 12 Mason County (Maysville, Ky.) 105-93, but rebounded to beat rival E.E. Smith (Greensboro) 7364.

21. Peabody, Alexandria, La. (14-0) Previous: Not ranked. Won Lake Charles (La.} Boston American Press Tournament, beating Reserve (La.) Christian 81-65 in fl.nat.

22. Bakersfield, Ccilif. (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked. Beat Lib-

. erty (Bakersfield) 159-39 to win

the Kern Schools Classic champiPrevious: 7. Beat M.M. Wash- · onship. ington (Washington, D. C) 102-54. 23. Bloomfield (NJ.) Tech Plays four games this week at lo- (0-0) lani Prep Classic in Honolulu.

Previous: 23. Opens Saturday 8. Rainier Beach, vs. St. Patrick (Elizabeth) at New Seattle (4-0) jersey Tip Off Classic.

Previous: 10. Allowed only 44 24. Tnnpview, points a game in four victories, in- Provo, Utah (2-1) eluding a 70-38 win vs. Ingraham Previous: 24. Lost to St. Bene(Seattle). diet's Prep (NeWark, NJ.) 56-48 at 9. Renaissance, Detroit (2-0) Ragu Classic in Orem.

Previous: 11. Beat Detroit 25. Edgewater, Orlando (3-2) schools Chadsey and Douglass by . Previous: 9. Lost to then-No. 17 an average margin of 60 points.

Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Dr. 10. Mason County, Phillips (Orlando) 80-66.

Maysville, Ky. (3-0) Dropped out No. 13 DominPrevious: 12. Beat Cardinal Rit- guez (Compton, Calif.) lost to ter (St. Louis, Mo.) 84-59 in Bour- No. 11 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 91bon County Classic. Beat then-No. 88; No. 21 Provine (Jackson, 16 Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.) Miss.) lost to jim Hill (Jackson) 105-93 in Mason County Hoop- 46-41; No. 25 Hightower (Misfest. so uri City, Texas) lost to Texas City 11. Mater Dei, 56-53 and Westfield 76-59.

Santa Ana, Calif. (6-1) .

About the rankings: USA TOPrevious: 2. Won Ocean View DAY's Super 25 high sch<Jol boys Tournament of Champions, beat- rankings are compiled by Christoing then-No. 13 Dominguez pher Lawlor, who consults with a (Compton) 91-88 in champion- national network of prep sports ship. Lostto No.5 Peoria (IlL) Cen- writers, analysts and coaches. tral 70-62 in Marshall County Among the. criteria· considered Hoopfest. are a schoors strength of sthed12. Mount Vernon, N.Y. (t-O) ule, the quality of competition in Previous: 14. Beat Lincoln (Yon- its state or league and the quality · of its players. kers ) 102-41 10 opener.

Note: The girls Super 25 pub13. West Aurora, lishes Wednesday. The next boys Aurora, DL (7-0) ranking is jan. 6. The final footbaU Previous: 15. Beat Wheaton ranking is Dec. 23.

Warrenville South 50-39. Beat Charninade (St. Louis) 56-49 at

Regional rankings East 1. St. Anthony, jersey City. N.j. (0-0) 2. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (2-0) 3. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (2-0) 4. Mount Vernon, N.Y. ( 1-0) 5. Uncoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (5-0) 6. Rice, NewYork(2-0) 7. Bloomfield (N.j.)Tech(0-0) 8. Simon Gratz, Philadelphia (2-0) ' 9. Our Savior New American. Centereach, N.Y.(9-3) 10. Georgetown Prep, North Bethesda, Md. (4-0) Midwest 1. Rufus King, Milwaukee (2-0) 2. Peoria (Ill.) Central (6-0) 3. Renaissance, Detroit (2-0) 4. West Aurora, Aurora, Ill. (7-0) 5. Moeller. Cincinnati (4-0) 6. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (5-0) 7. St. John's )esui~ Toledo, Ohio (3-0) 8. Homewood-Flossmoor, Ill. (7-0) 9. Denby, Detroit(l-0) 10. Pike,lndianapolis(4-1)

South 1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson. Va. (12-0) 2. Mason County, Maysville, Ky. (3-0) 3. Milby, Houston (12-0) 4. Dudley, Greensboro. N.C. (6-1) 5. Peabody, Alexandria, La. ( 14-0) 6. White Station. Memphis (7 -0) 7. Edgewater, Orlando (3-2) · 8. Pulaski Academy, Uttle Rock (9-0) · 9. Cedar Hill, Texas (8-0) 10. North Crowley, Fort Worth (14-1) West 1. Westchester, Los Angeles ( 4-0) 2. Rainier Beach, Seattle (4-0) 3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (6-1) 4. Fairfax, Los Angeles (4-0) 5. Bakersfield. Calif. ( 5-{)) 6. Timpview, Provo, Utah (2-1) 7. De LaSalle, Concord, Calif. (2-0) · 8. Centennial, Compton, Calif. (4-0) 9. Dominguez, Comptoll', Calif. (7-2) 10. Cleveland, Reseda, Calif. (5-1)

High schools I Pit

Div. l's best boys teams to face off

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller, ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I .boys basketball area coaches' poll,willvisitNo. 2I.aSalleat 8 p.m. today in the most anticipated game of the 2003-04 season.

Moeller (12·1 overall, (H) Greater Catholic League South) is the defending Divi- ··· -. sion I state champion and has been a unanhnous choice as the Enquirer's No. 1 team all season.

La Salle (11-0, ~) has been ranked No. 2 locally since mid-December.

Moeller is rated No. 2 in the Associated Press state Division I poll and No. 12 nationally by USA Today.

La Salle is No. 3 in the AP state Division I poll. The Lancers are the most recent Ohio school to beat Moeller, in the final game of the 200203 regular season. qther notable games tonight: • No. 4 St Xavier (10-3, 4-2 GCL) visits No. 7 Elder (7-4, 4-2) in a GCL South matchup at the "Pit." • No.5 Wmton Woods (12-1, 8-0 FAVC) hosts Anderson (8-3, 6-2) in a Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye division game.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com ~~ ':,(.v--

lnside Moeller-la Salle preview, C6 Cousins have Taft basketball on the rise, C6 High school notebooks, C6 Boys and girls basketball sta- . tistics, C7 Coverage of Thursday night's basketball games, C7

Ci

!-;J.3-0Y.

j-;iJ-Oy' ~ THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

. ·Stat

Corner

A weekly look at statistics for boys and girls high school basketb,all (Stats through Wednesday)

BOYS North College

POINTS Name, School

Pis Avg,

Hangbers, Edgewood Mayo, NCH Dews, Lakota East Snell, Landmark Chappell, Northwest Knight, Withrow Monk, Goshen Goodman, Colerain Patzwald, Anderson Weybnght, Wyoming Hawkins, Finneytown Capel, Heritage PlunKett, Giant County

205 343 251 279 203 248 195 213 207 164 184 325 280

Hailey, Colonel White

Brackman, Moeller Nelson, Shroder Orr, La Salle Ray, Oak Hills Johnson, CampDell Co. Pritchard, lebanon Tieman, Summit Finnell, Purcell Marian

Richburg, Mason Curry, Clark Montessori Ayers, Deer Park Hollingsworth, Wlmngtn Sander, Elder

Hollingsworth, Wlmngtn Wight Bellevue Lachapelle, Lakota W. Brown, Mariemont Stowers, Simon Kenton Wolf, St Xavier Kleckner, East Central Duncan, Moeller Bounds, Grant County McKeehan, Little Miami Wallace, Bethel-Tate Houchin, Harrison White, Winton Woods WE"st, Milford Leever, loveland Whipp, Waynesville Farley, lockland Zimmennan, Newport. CC Mendenhall, Batavia Stewart, Cin. Trailblazers Rasso, Boone County Byrd, Taft Philpot, Christ center Johnson, Aiken Briggs, Mt Healthy Owens, Mason lmpellizzeri, Anderson Harris, lockland Krebs, Newport CC Norwell, Turpin Robinson~, Middletown Runk, East Clinton Walther, Moeller Anders, East Clinton Smith, ceo

29.3 28.6 251 23.3 22.6 22.5 21.7 21.3 20.7 20.5 20.4 20.3 20.0 i17 19.5 213 19.4 192 19.2 211 19.2 190 19.0 265 18.9 112 18.7 130 18.6 203 18.5 202 1B.4 181 18.1 158 17.6 211 17.6 141 17.6 211 17.6 209 17.4 174 17.4 156 17.3 135 16.9 184 16.7 198 16.5 181 16.5 230 164 213 16.4 177 16.1 161 16.1 384 16.0 159 15:9 205 15.8 157 15.7 157 15.7 200 15.4 182' 15.2 167 15.2 243 15.2 152 15.2 255 15.0 149 14.9 134 14.9 164 14.9 149 14.9 147 14.7 190 14.6 146 14.6 102 14.6 laS 14.5 160 14.5 187 14.4 143 14,3

REBOUNDS Name, School Daniels, Beechwood Brown, Mariemont Knight, Withrow Briggs, Mt. Healthy Tieman, Summit Rosser, landmar1( Sander, 8der Byrd, Taft Blanchard, Taft Ramsey, loveland Wynn, Winton Woods Rasso, Boone County Smith, ceo Chappell, Northwest Cowgill, Cin. Trailblazers Gibbs, Clark Montessori Donald, Taft Pike, Reading Duncan, New Richmond Hangbers, Edgewood weybnght, Wyoming Mason, Deer Par1( Chichester, lakota West Foster, Bethel-Tate Capel, Heritage NorweN, Turpin Maricle, Beechwood Mendenhall, Batavia Mayo, NCH McMonigle; New Rich.

Cheatham, Shroder Shoemaker, Anderson DiPiano, Norwood ' Bounds, Grant County

Reb Avg. 70 14.0 117 13.0 138.12.5 103 11.4 77 11.0 131 109 86 lO.B 106 10.6 102 10.2 131 10.1 242 10.1 161 10.1 101 10.1 91 10.1 110 10.0 97 9,7 86 9.6 76 9.5 38 9.5 66 9.4 75 9.4 101 9.2 92 9.2 ,101 9.2 146 9.1 90 9.0 71 8.9 106 8.8 106 8.8 79 8.8 88 8.8 86 8.6 691'8.6 11~ 8.4

Hill's OJ. Mayo

Totten, Cln. Chnstlan Smith, Waynes-ville Allen, Cin. Trailblazers Pa~on, Withrow Morin, Princeton Brown, Deer Park

Evans, NCH Jones. Shrader Wilhrre, NCH HicksOn, Clark Mntssri Anders, East Clinton Butts, Felicity Robinson, Middletown Frazier, Middletown Rodannel, NCH Salerno, Milford Walden, Shroder Knapp, Edgewood Beigel, Colerain Ruhl, Fairfield Houchin, Harrison Farley, lockland Orr, La Salle Wenker, Amelia Hollingsworth, Wlmngtn

74 81 81 89 89

B8 72 80 94 78 101 81 52 73 86 72 64 50 71 70 70 70 77 63 83

8.2 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.0 8.0 8.0 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.4 7.4 7.3 7.2 7.2 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0

ASSISTS Name, School McFarland, Boone Co. Byrd, Taft Mayo, NCH Jolson, Wyoming Rauch, East Central Patterso~, East Clinton Richburg, Mason Bibbins, Holy Cross Romero, Lakota West .Walther, MoeWer Sallee, Lakota East Patzwaldd, Anderson White, Winton Woods Starkey, Wilmington Starkey, Wilmington Brown, Winton Woods Graves, CCO Jefferson, Holmes Zimmerman, Newport CC Greaves, Wttllrow Pritchard, lebancn Hammons, Lebanon Gray, Taft Nelson, Shroder McGuffey, Landmark Under, Rnneytown Stidham, Reading Slonim, Turpin Houchin. Harrison Akbar, Winton Woods Fin neW, Purcell Marian A~en, Cln.. Trailblazers lewis, East Central Higgins, Withrow Heaton, Kmgs Leever, lovela'nd Lampley, Hamilton Snell, landmark Pritchard, Bethei·Tate Mason, Purcell Marian Kimmey, Sycamore Anderson, Goshen McVey, little Miami Donald, Taft Brown, Mariemont Root, Edgewood Brown, Colonel White Glover, NCH Wight, Bellevue lngstrup, loveland ·Tensing, Mt. Healthy Roundtree, NCH

Ast Avg. 139 8.7 72 7.2 83 6.9 50 6.3 71 5.9 73 5.6 61 5.5 82 5.5 49 5.4 59 5.4 51 5.1 50 5.0 60 5.0 57 4.8 57 4.B 56 4.1 46 4.6 65 4.6 57 4.4 4B 4.4 26 4.3 38 4.2 42 4.2 41 4.1 49 4.1 36 4.0 32 4.0 40 4.0 40 4.0 48 4.0 43 3.9 39 3.9 47 3.9 43 3.9 43 3.9 49 3.8 42 3.8 44 3.7 37 3.7 37 3.7 37 3.7 36 3.6 45 3.5 31 3.4 31 3.4 24 3.4 20 3.3 39 3.3 39 3.3 39 3.3 30 3.3 40 3.3

Testerman, Kings Johnson, Campbell Co. Noetzel, St. Henry Barber, Western Brown Felix, Bethel-Tate Young, New Richmond Wallace, Bethei·Tate Schnee, Kings Plunkett, Grant County McKeehan, Uttle Miami Ramsey, Holmes White, Campbell Co. Hotopp, Harrison Sawyer, Beechwood Williams, Princeton Walters. Elder

36 45 48 34 34 28 34 34 42 39 40 42 25 22 28 25

3.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8

Stl 60 57 60 . 42 55 42 41 49 41 24 42 46 39 42 33 36 40 29 35 35 25 46 29 29 41 26 29 33 31 31 35 27 27 25 28 24 33 24 22 26 24 22 28 18 27 35 23 35 30 23 23 16 25 16 20 13 26 20 26 20

Avg. 6.0 5.7 5.5 4.7 4.6 4.2 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 . 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 ·2.2 2.2

STEALS Name, School Byrd. Taft Cuny, Cia~ Mntssri Barber, West. Brown Donald, Taft Mayo, NCH Burnett, Taft Gray, Taft· Glenn, Bellevue lmpellizzeri, Anderson Hailey, Colonel White Foster, Bethel-Tate Akbar, Wrnton Woods Finnell, Purcell Marian Brown, Winton Woods Nelson, Shrader Dorris, Princeton Williams, Winton Woods Hawkins,'Finneytown Richburg, Mason Walther, Moeller Stowers, Simon Kenton McFarland, Boone Co. Jones, Fairfield Metz, Clark Mntssri Jefferson, Holmes Shaver, Mariemont Cheatham, Shrader snell, landmark Greaves, Withrow Higgins, Withrow Heil, Newport CC Wyly, Clark Mntssn Kuntz, Western Brown Mason, Purcell Marian Wolf, St. Xavier Dean, Shrader W~liams, Holmes Burnett, A1ken Bur1as. Turpin Thomas, Western Brown Whipp, W'aynesville Chappell, Northwest McGuffey, landmar1( Gertz, Read1ng Wight, Bellevue BecKer, Campbell Co. Grissom, lockland Noetzel, St. Henry Smith, Brossart Sallee, Lakota East Dews, lakota East Robinson, Middletown Huff, Hamilton McClure, Amelia 8riggs,-ML Healthy Brown, Colon~! White Rauch, Eilst central Hammons,·.Lebanon Moore, Sellevue Monk. Goshen

TOPlO OUTl K (All games 7:30p.m. unless noted)

DIVISION I BOYS 1. Moeller (12·1) beat Cleveland St. Ignatius 84-56 Saturday; Next: visits No. 2 La Salle today.

2. La Salle (U-0) beat Reserve Christian 88-74 Sunday; Next: hosts No. 1 Moeller today.

3. Hamilton (10-2) beat Springfield South 63-52 Sunday; Next: hosts Middletown Saturday.

4. St. Xavier (9-3) beat Chaminade-Julienne 53-43 Tuesday; Next: at Elder today.

5. Winton Woods (12·1) beat Walnut Hills 65-54 Tuesday; Next hosts Anderson today.

6. Princeton (10·2) beat Milford 58-53 Wednesday; Next: at Galloway Westland Saturday.

7. Lakota East (8·3) beat Middletown 79-69 on Wednesday; Next hosts Fairfield Saturday.

8. Elder (7·4) lost to Holy Cross (Ky.) 54-48 Tuesday; Next: hosts St. Xavier today.

9. Oak Hills (7-3) beat Sycamore 64-57 Thursday; Next: at Lakota West Saturday.

10. Withrow (8·3) beat Western Hills Sunday 72-65; Next: at Woodward today.

Notebook

Duncan joins 1,000-point club Senior is fourth on Moeller's all-time scoring list

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan recently became the fourth Crusaders boys basketball player to score his 1,000th career point.

Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, is now at 1,099 points.

He led Moeller to the Division I state title as a junior and has helped the team to the No.1 ranking in theEnquirerpoll.

Duncan Bobby Brannen (Moeller 1991-94) is the school's career scoring leader with 1,435 points. Next are Byron Larkin (1981-84) with 1,336 points, Matt Sylvester (1998-2001) with 1,179, then Duncan.

• Moeller's game Sunday (3 p.m.) vs. Akron St. Vmcent-St. Mary will be played at Akron's James A Rhodes Arena. The game originally had been scheduled for the Cleveland Convocation Center.

The game pits defending Division I state champ Moeller vs. de' fending Division II champ St. Vmcent-St. Mary. SVSM no longer has

LeBron James but again is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Division II state poll. Moeller is ranked No. 2 in Division I. GYMNASTICS: Cincinnati Country Day will host its "Indian Cup" gymnastics invitational Saturday at 11 a.m. Most of the area's top teams will compete, including Anderson, Cincinnati Country Day, Turpin, Lakota East, Sycamore and Seven Hills.

VOLLEYBALL: St. Ursula senior Bryn Kehoe has been named Gatoracle's Ohio prep volleyball player of the year. Kehoe, who led St. Ursula to the Division I state title, was named earlier this month as national player of the year by PrepVolleyball. com.

FOOTBALL: Scott Miltenberger, former head football coach at Princeton, will come out of retirement to be offensive coordinator at Roger Bacon. Miltenberger retired as Princeton head coach after the 2002 season, and returns after a one-year absence from coaching.

Roger Bacon head coach Dan Starkey said Miltenberger will install the spread offense he used at Princeton, which has had all-state quarterbacks Mike Daniels and

Jarrell Williams running the spread in recent years.

• Elder coach Doug Ramsey was named East regional prep football coach of the year by Riddell Footwear, one of six coaches honored nationwide.

• Colerain defensive lineman.

Nick Davis has been nominated as an Old Spice "Red Zone" player of the year candidate.

HALLS OF FAME: Western Brown recently inducted four new Hall of Fame members from the former Hamersville and Mount Orab schools, which merged to become Western Brown in 1971: Leo Bradley, Larry Chadwell, Wade Pope and Tony liming.

•western Hills will induct seven members into its Hall of Honor on Feb. 4: Dr. Ray Gebhardt (1944, football/baseball); Dr. Connie Dettmer (1949, all-around); Erv Hoinke (1950, bowling); Carol Weiss Kiradjieff (1958, softball); Bill Rothan (1970, basketball/baseball); Karl 'Tufty" Rhodes (1986, baseball/basketball) and Lori Troescher (assistant AD/softball coach, 21st year at West High).

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com

C6 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2004

SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOLS A LOOK AT THIS WEEK'S KEY GAMES AND MORE __...

The Cincinnati Enquirer/THOMAS E. WITIE

La Salle coach Dan Aemlng directs his team recently during practice. Senior forward Justin Orr (center) says the Lancers have to be aggressive tonight against the Crusaders.

Boys basketball

Cincy showdown: .No. 1against No. 2 La Salle takes aim at top-ranked rival Moeller

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

It's the Game of the Year to date in Cincinnati boys basketball.

Moeller (12-1 overall, 6-0 Greater Catholic League South), ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, visits No. 2 La Salle (11-0, 5-0) today at 8 p.m. The game was sold out several days ago, and the teams have been ranked 1-2 since mid-December.

La Salle is the last Ohio team to beat Moeller, 68-56 at La Salle on Feb. 14, 2003. That was the 2002-03 regular-season finale, and Moeller then ran the table to win the state title. .

"It's a great matchup, and we know they're the last Ohio team to beat us," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "They played well against us over there last year, and they've got a fabulous team again."

Still, even La Salle agrees Moeller is the clear favorite.

Moeller is rated No. 2 in the A& sociated Press state poll and No.12 nationally by USA Today, with its only loss being to USA Today's No. 1-rated team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.). Moeller has buried Cincinnati opponents by an average of 27, with no local team having come closer than 18 points.

'They're on the front page of the paper all the time, and they deserve it," said Justin Orr, La Salle's star senior forward. "We'll just have to be aggressive. Playing at home should help us, with our fans right on top of the court."

No. 1 Moeller at No. 2 La Salle Tipoff: 8 p.m., La Salle High School (sold out).

Records: Moeller 12-1, 6-0 Greater Catholic League South; La Salle 11-0, 5-0.

Noteworthy: La Salle is the last Ohio team to beat Moeller (68-56 at La Salle, Feb. 14, 2003), which won the Division I state title last season.

La Salle is No. 3 in the AP state poll and has several big wins itself, having beaten No.3 Hamilton and No.4 St. Xavier and also winning at No. 7 Elder's "Pit." Moeller is 16-0 vs. Ohio teams- including 9-0 this season- since losing to La Salle last Valentine's Day. The Crusaders are led by their ''Big Three" of senior forwards Andrew Brackman (19.4 points per game) and Josh Duncan (16.5) and seniorguardBubba Walthe!' (14.5), all Division I college recruits.

Brackman has signed with North Carolina State, Duncan with Xavier and Walther with Akron.

La Salle's Orr, nephew of former Withrow and NBA player Louis Orr, is a Division I prospect and will announce his college choice this spring. Orr leads the Lancers with a 19.2 scoring average, the only La Salle player scoring more than 10 points per game.

"We'll play 10 or 12 guys, and we'll sub a lot," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "If we have a chance

to beat Moeller, we're going to have to rebound the ball. I don't know if we've got enough firepower to match them offensively. You have to limit their scoring opportunities."

Both teams are big. Moeller has four players 6-foot-8 or taller, led by the 6-9lh Brackman and 6-8 Duncan. La Salle has five men players 6-5 or taller, including star football linemen Ryan Stanchek (6-5, 245 pounds) and Nick Dooros (6-5, 235) on the inside.

"La Salle certainly has the weapons," Kremer said. "They've got great chemistry and a great go-to guy in Justin Orr. We know it's going to be tough to go in there and win."

Other notable games tonight include: • Also in the GCL South, No. 4 St. Xavier (10-3) visits No. 7 Elder (7-4).

• In the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division, No.5 Winton Woods (12-1, 8-0) hosts Anderson (8-3, 6-2). Wmton Woods leads the division, and Anderson is tied with Mason for second place.

• In the Cincinnati Hills League, Madeira, ranked No. 4 in the Enquirer Divisions· II-IV poll, visits No. 9 Indian Hill.

• In the GCL North, McNicholas (5-5, 3-3), ranked No.3 in the Divisions II-IV poll, visits Dayton Chaminade-Julienne (6-6, 4-3) with first place at stake in the league.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller 86, Cleveland St Ignatius 54 Junior forward Ryan Childress had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Josh Duncan scored a game high 21 points, and Andrew Brackman added.18 for th~ topranked Crusaders.

CL£. ST. IGNATIUS 14-61- Porath 30 9, Hills 3 09, Paris 3 0 7, Petrovic 0 II, DeCosterO II, Noll2 0 5, Farrell 215, Kirbus60 13, Harrison 102,Adlerl 02.Totals: 213 54.

MOELLER 112·11- Walther 3 2 9, Childress 4 2 10, Brown I 0 2, Duncan 8 2 21, Oier1<ers4 0 8, Trainor! 0 2, Watt 2 2 6, Carter I I 4, Lynch I 0 3, Juenger 0 I I, Brackman 4 9 18, Stovall! 0 2. Totals: 30 19 86.

Cle. st. Ignatius........;............. 13 11 16 14-54

Moeller ......_.......................... 26 23 23 14-86 3-pointers: CSI 9 (Porath 3, Hills 3, DeCoster, Kirbus, Paris); M 7 (Walther, Dunca~ 3, Carter, Lynch •. Brackman).

Moeller breezes behind Brackman The Cincinnati Enquirer

Anderson 73, Loveland 57

Sycamore--···---·····..··-······ 14 12 17 19 -62 3-pointers: M 3 (West, Slusher 2); S 4 (Peters 2, Kimmey,

ANDERSON 16-31 - Patzwald 10 2 28, lmpellizzen 8 4 22, Shingleton I 0 2, Shoemaker 5 414, Veil 0 II, Snouffer 2 2 6. Totals: 26 13 73.

LOVnAND 17·51 - PaMdge I 0 3, Leever 5 6 18, lngstrup 7 2 17, Ramsey 8 3 19. Totals: 17 4 11.

Andenon ........................._...... 17 13 24 19 -73

Lockland 60, New Miami 43

Andrew Brackman scored 21 of his game-high 30 points in the first half Friday night, powering top-ranked Moeller to a 72-48 victory over Loveland-··--···-·-··............. 12 14 14 17 -57 3-pointers: Anderson (Patzwald 6, lmpellizzen 2); loveland 4 Alter. (lngstrup, Partridge,leever 2).

Moeller, which jumped out to a 21-4 first-quarter lead, got 13 points Mariemont 63, Taylor 35 MARIEMONTI4-5,2-4CHLI-Kelly60 17, Weberl02, from] osh Duncan -11 from the free Amis30 7, Duran 102, Shaver! 02, Kauffmann 32 8, Brown 5414, Donovan 102, Hi112 2 7, BrockO 22. Totals:2310 63. throw line.

MOnLER 111·1, 6-0 GCLI- Walther 3 0 8, Childress 31 7. Duncan 11113, Dierkers 10 2, Trainor 12 4, Watt 10 2, Brackman 14130, Stovall113, Farrell! 0 3. Totals: 2616 72.

ALTER 14-7, 2·5 GCLI- Jasper 2 0 4, Krystofik I 0 2, Roderer 3 0 9, Fo~ener 12 4, Dorow 3 0 6, Freshwater 4 0 11, Morgan 0 11, Rlazzl3 3 11. Totals: 17 6 48.

21 16 16 19 -72

Moeller-·--··-·······-··-··--

4 13 22 9-48 3-pointers: Moeller 4 (Wanher 2, Brackman, Farrell); Aner 8 (Roderer 3, Freshwater 3, Riazzi 2).

Alter ......-·········-········--···-····

La Salle 52, Badin 42 Senior forward Justin Orr scored 18 points to lead the Lancers.

BADIN 11·10, GCLH 0.71- Roesch 1 0 2, Maus 1 0 2, Stritthon6214,Mook0 li,Young408, Martini409,Pater3 0 6. Totals 19 3 42. lA SALLE 110..0, GCLS S.OI- Mansoor 12 4, Wiegele 2 2 6, Flynn 30 7, Orr 7118, Wiebell2 0 6. Wener2 2 6, Dooms 13 5. Totals 18 10 52.

16 10 2 14 42 La Solie •• ____...............____ 12 13 13 14 52

Badin·····----·--··-····-····-·...

3-pointers: B I (Martini); L6 (Orr 3, Wiebell2, Flynn).

TAYLORI1·9,0.6CHLJ-Streckfuss21 7, Smith 7 218, Nicolaou I 0 2. Wanstrath 0 II, Spilman 10 2, Brate 2 0 4.

Toile 0 11. Totals: 13 5 35.

Mariemont................................. 7 18 20 17-63 Taylor............_ ......................-.. 10 11 5 9-35 3-pointers: Manemont 7 (Kelly 5, Amis, Hill); Taylor 4 (Streckfuss 2, Smith 2).

St. Xavier 62, McNicholas 54 ST. XAVIER -lund 0 55, Wolf 8 4 22, Gedeon I 0 3, Deye419, Monisl02, Scales408, Gibler06 6,Schoenhoft 3 1 7. Totals: 2117 62.

MCNICHOLASIS.5, GCL3-31- Foltz 3 2 9. Dyment 3 9 14, Yaros 113, Warn 3 1 7, Roftow 0 2 2, Carmel! 0 2, Stamper I 0 2, Schlagheck 3 612, Bopple 0 11. Totals: 15 22 54.

St. 21 11 16 14 -62 McNicholas................................. 15 10 17 12 -54 3-pointers: SX 3 (Wolf 2, Gedeon); Me 2 (Foltz, Dyment).

Xavier-.................................

Sycamore 62, Milford 53 MILFORD 12-8, GMC 1·61-lehman 2 2 6, West 4 413, Lechner 0 II. Doolan I 0 2, Slusher 53 15, Buckner 3 5 11, Elsen I 0 2, Salerno II 3. Totals: 17 16 53.

SYCAMOR£ 15-4, GMC 4-31 - Tepe 12 4, luning 0 11, Kirkendall2 15, Peters 5 618, Konerrnan I 0 2, Rhodes I 0 2, Kimmey 216, Frank 4 19, Przywara 6 215. Totals: 22 14 62.

Mitfonl ....._ .............. -.............. 8 19 9 17-53

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P~ara).

NEW MIAMI 13-6, 2-41 - Robe~ I 2 5, Allen 3 3 11, Davidson 4 110, Shelley 3 2 8, Kimbell3 I 7, Williams I 0 2.

Totals: 15 9 43.

LOCKLAND 19-1, 6-1)- Ogletree 52 15, Harris 6 114, Sneed 13 5, Gibson 103, Collins21 7, Fa~ey5314, Gnssom I 0 2. Totals: 2110 60.

New Miami-----····-···-· 6 14 15 8 -43 Lockland ..............._.________ 13 15 20 12-60 3-pointers: NM 4 (Robe~. Allen 2, Davidson); l8 (Ogletree3, Harris, Gibson, Collins 2, Fa~ey).

Landmark Trinity 57, St. Bernard 39 ST. BERNARD 12·7, 1·51- Gnder 2 0 4, Ralston 10 2, Crank 5 415, Williams 113, Rose 2 0 5, Cannady 2 0 4, Byro 2 0 4, Edwards 1 0 2. Totals: 16 5 39.

LANDMARK 17-4, 4-21- McGuffey 4 414, Snell5 115, C Medley I 0 2, Weber 1 0 3, Rosser 4 I 9, T Medley 4 4 12, Wolforo 0 2 2. Totals: 1912 57.

St. Bemanl ••---·--··---····-· 11 13 9 6 -39 Landmaric ·-····-····-···----· 17 11 12 17 -57 3-pointers: SB 2 (Crank, Rose); l 7 (McGuffey 2, Snell 4, Weber).

Shroder Paideia 65, Clark Montessori 50 ClARK MONTESSORIIS.5, SOPL 1·31- Vila 0 11, Metz 10 2, Vissing 10 3, Curry 6115, Wyly 6 0 12, Hickson 0 2 2, Gibbs 53 13, Cook I 0 2. Totals: 20 8 50.

SHRDDER PAIO£IA 16-3, 4-01 -Johnson 2 0 4, Dean 3 0 8, Nelson 8 2 19, Wilson I 0 2, 0. Cheatham 3 0 6, R. Cheatham 4 09,Jones3 410, Walden 31 7. Totals: 27 7 65.

Claot<~----· 8 16 12 14-50

Shtodor

Paideia--·----·

14 19 16 16 -65

~ti.'!t:~)GM 3 (Vissing. Curry 2); SP 4 (Dean 2, Nelson, R.

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\ SUNDAY, DECEMBE.

The Associated Prest

Quarterback Jason White was Oklahoma's biggest worry heading into this season. But the senior, who had two previous seasons cut short by knee injuries, won the Heisma~ Trophy.

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs. LSU

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C2 SUNDAY, JANUARY 4,-2004

TOPOFTJ A WEEKLY LOOK AT THE LIGHTER SIDE 01

Power rankings Thumbs up

Thumbs down

1. UC basketball. It wasn't the toughest of nonconference schedules, but the Bearcats made their point- ¡ nine straight imnr~$ ories and the ilirrd ated NovemberD ' berunder coach Bob Huggins. This team plays hatd111ld fast and should be entertairling well into March.

(On a similar subject, there's still nothing cooler than Kentucky-North Carolina.)

2. Moeller basketball.

The defending Division I state champions went 2-1 at an elite holiqay tournament in Raleigh, N,.C. The Crusaders played tpe nation's topranked team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.), closer than any of Oak Hill's previous 18 vic~ tims. A state title repeat could be in the cards.

3. Ken Shields. The Northern Kentucky University coach, in his final season, earned his 300th victory as Norse coach. Those came on the heels of a 460-win career at Northern Kentucky high schools.

4. The Bengals. Imagine, making it to the final week of the regular season without ever mentioning whom they might draft.

Now, who are the top shutdown comers again?

5. The Reds. Cory Udle will help the rotation. Ron Oester andJayhawk Owens return to the organization's minor-league system with their hard-nosed attitudes.

Baby steps admittedly, but steps nonetheless.

1. Pete Rose saga. A major-league official reportedly has told the New York Times that the Hit King admitted to Bud Selig that he indeed had gambled on baseball while Reds manager.

Could 2004 finally be the year this is resolved? Why are we skeptical?

2. NFL coaches. Oakland's Bill Callahan gets the ax a season after a Super Bowl appearance, thanks in no part to his players whining about him. In all, there are seven openings. Not a lot of job security. (And nice effort, Steve Superior. Just quit the Redskins.)

3. Olympic drug scandals. U.S. sprint champion Kelli White was among six more track athletes who have flunked doping tests, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee. This is going to do nothing but get uglier.

4. New Jersey Nets.

They signed free agent Eddie Griffin, who was waived by the Rockets after two turbulent seasons. Griffin can't play immediately, pending legal proceedings for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and a sepa- rate marijuana charge.

5. New Year's Day. The Rose Bowl was awesome, and Florida State missing a field goal to lose to Miami again was cool. But it's just not the same with the major bowls stretched out all week.

- MikeBall

C6 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003

FN

SPOR1

â&#x20AC;˘ Boys basketball

Moeller hangs tough with nation's No.1 But No. 17 Crusaders fall to Oak Hill Academy 71-61 I

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Wilson, Va, the top-ranked team in

the USA Today Super 25, sutvived its closest game of the season, a 7161 victory over No. 17 Moeller in the GlaxoKleinSmith Tournament at Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday night Moeller had cut its deficit to four points with three minutes to play, but was forced to foul. Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo converted their free-throw attempts for Oak Hill.

The smallest margin of victory for Oak Hill (19-0) over any previous opponent this season was 18 points.

Andrew Brackman scored 20 points and Bubba Walther had 18 for the Crusaders (8-1). Both were named to the all-tournament team.

MOELLER (8-11 - WaRher 7 0 18, Childress 2 0 5, Duncan2 612,Dierl<ers 13 6,8rackman 6 7 20.Totals:1816 61.

OAK IIU (J.9.01 - Sect! 0 2 2, Rivers 3 18. Rondo 9 4 22. Wrtg!lt113.J. Smith84 20,Johnson 7216. Totals: 2814 71 .

......,_

15 10 15 21-61

Olk 1111 ¡-- 21 15 17 18-71 3-pointers: Moe 9 (Walther 4. Childress, Duncan 2. Olerl<ers, Brackman); Oak 1 (Riw!rs).

·Wednesday, January 7, 2004

Loveland Herald A9

Moeller.star at home on court, mound:

BY JOHN P. WISE CONTRIBUTOR LOVELAND@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

Community Sports Editor Dave Schutte • 248-7570 dschutte@communitypress.com

Tiger freshmen split first four basketball games '

The Loveland freshmen boys basketball team will take a 2-2 record into 2004.

In the season opener, the Tigers notched a 55-44 win over Amelia.

An offense, featuring patience, quick movement, smart shot selection, and some split second interior passing, worked well for firstyear coach Pat Doyle.

Well-executed team defense resulted in several steals and · slowed the Barons.

A balanced scoring attack was another strength paced by Logan Hatfield with 12 points followed

by Justin Gatton (9) and Michael Orsinelli, Matt Brown and Garret Maple, each with eight points.

Taylor Russell and Alex Werk also scored. coming through with three points with Michael Cooperstein and Brock Smith adding lwo apiece.

January.

The Tiger frosh fell 45-40 to Mason in game three.

Loveland battled back after a slow first quarter start ( 16-9) to tie the Comets at 37-37 with 1:25 left to play.

Mason led 43-40 with 3.3 seconds to go when Loveland fouled to force the one and one.

The Comets made both free-throws to seal the game.

Loveland scorers were Gatton 13, Orsinelli 8, Russell 6, Cooperstein 5, Hatfield 4 and Maple4.

Breaking a two-game losing streak was on the minds of the Tigers against Harrison.

Tied 19-19 at the half, Loveland applied full court pressure to exploit Harrison's ballhandling weakness.

'T"''~-

''1"1.1--a-

As two-sport athletes become less commonplace at the Division I major college level, Moeller senior Andrew Brackman hopes to begin a new trend.

A 6'9" forward for the undefeated basketball team and a pitcher for the baseball team, Brackman signed with North Carolina State University, one of only a few schools that would allow participation in both sports.

N.C. State fans got a first hand look at Brackman last week during a Holiday Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., where the Crusaders finished runner-up to national power Oak Hill Academy from Mouth of Wilson, Va. Choosing North Carolina State, coached by former Miami coach Herb Sendek, was easy for Brackman, but probably not for the reasons most would anticipate. · "I narrowed it down to N.C. State and Georgia Tech, but Georgia Tech wouldn't let me play basketball," Brackman, who will pitch for the Wolfpack baseball team as well, said. "I liked how the baseball coach and the basketball coach seemed pretty friendly with each other."

Unlike those coaches,

Shooting free throws Is one of Andrew Brackman's many strength and the Moeller senior, picture here, goes through a shooting drill during Monday's practice.

Brackman isn't considered very friendly -- at least in the eyes of his opponents. He averaged 16 points and seven rebounds in helping the Crusaders to the Ohio Division I state championship last season.

Moeller coach Carl Kremer said those numbers are impressive for a variety of reasons. ''To see such a great kid enjoy the kind o.f success he's having is very gratifying," Kremer said.

"He's a good student and he treats other kids well at school.

He's just a tremendous person."

Kremer added that he remembers when Brackman showed up on Moeller's doorstep in 2000 at a mere 6-foot-2.

"He was the starting point guard for the freshman team," he

said. "Now, at 6'9", he's a very solid three or four player, and he does so many things well."

Brackman said he hasn't lost his ball handling skills, and has been known around tow!l as a top shooter from the field, making him even more valuable in the Princeton offense that Sendek employs.

"I've never run the Princeton offense, so it will be new," Brackman said. "But it should fit my game. I'm the big man who can shoot." And hit the glass.

And handle the ball well. And hit 90 percent of his free throws.

Brackman said there's at least one area he said he could work on in the final 10 weeks of his high school basketball career.

"My coaches say I need to get

Moeller senior Andrew Brackman goes In for a layup during a fast-break drill Monday during a practice session at the school

better defensively, and I agree," he said.

Brackman credits his father, Mark, a former head coach at Hughes and player for the University of Cincinnati, with much of his success.

The older Brackman can now sit back and enjoy his son's accomplishments as a spectator at all Moeller games, which are played before capacity crowds.

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

WE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2004 87

Crusader Brackman's got game - two of them

By Tom Groeschen

Andrew Brackman, a 6-foot-9 1h, 205-pounder, is a star in basketball and baseball. He is signed to attend North Carolina State, where he'll play both sports.

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller senior Andrew Brackman suddenly has become Ohio's No.1-ratedprep prospect in two different sports, status he never imagined as a gangly 6-foot-1, 125-pound fresh.nan.

Brackman, now 6-91h and 205 pounds, is the top scorer (19.4 pointsagame) andrebounder (6.5) for Moeller, which is rated No.1 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll and No.13 nationally by USA Today.

And Brackman, coming off a Most Outstanding Player performance at the Glaxo Invitational in Raleigh, N.C., has been elevated to the No. 32-ranked senior nationally (No.1 in Ohio) in recruiting guru Bob Gibbons' midseason rankings.

And basketball is not even Brackman's top sport. He has signed to play both basketball and baseball with North Carolina State, another coup in that Cincinnati prep basketball (or baseball) rarely sends players to the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I've always wanted to be a baseball player," Brackman said. "Bas-

Enquirer file( JEFF SWINGER

ketball will pay my way through college, but I still think baseball is my sport."

In baseball, Brackman is a righthanded pitcher ranked by rivals.com as the No.1 overall prospect in Ohio and No. 18 nationally. National scout Jeff Spelman of Team One Baseball and rivals.com said Brackman could be a late firstround or early second-round choice in the June 2004 professional baseball draft.

Russ Foster, a longtime local amateur coach, calls Brackman "a right-handed Randy Johnson," with Brackman's fastball having been clocked at 92 mph.

"TheYankees are coming to visit this weekend," said Brackman's father, Mark. "We've had at least 10 teams contact us. It's been crazy, but it's a nice problem to have."

Andrew Brackman - most call him "Drew"- was a point guard as a Moeller basketball freshman. But

he grew from 6-1 to 6-7 in two years and as a junior scored 14 points a game to help lead Moeller to the Division I state title.

"I was real small and skinny as a freshman," said Brackman, a softspoken sort who wears a size 14 shoe. "I just grew a lot between my sophomore and junior years, from about 6-3 to 6-7."

And now, at 6-9ÂĽz, he shares the Moeller spotlight with 6-8 senior forward Josh Duncan (signed with Xavier) and 6-3 senior guard Bubba Walther (Akron).

Duncan led Moeller to the state title with averages of 18.9 points and 9.9 rebounds last season, when he was a slam-dunk choice as firstteam all-state and Enquirer/Channe19 Player of the Year. He knows Brackman is the top competition this year, although "competition" might not be the right word.

"I just think it's great for our team, what Drew is doing," Duncan said. ''We all can play, and we really don't care who scores."

Duncan's scoring and rebounding are down slightly this season, to 15.4 points and 5.2 rebounds, but there are mitigating circumstances. Duncan is still rounding in-

to shape from offseason knee surgery, and with¡ Brackman's emergence, he has not had to carry as big a load.

And don't forget Walther, who averages 14.1 points and is the floor leader with 4. 7 assists a game.

"It's nice coming down the floor and being able to throw the ball to two Division I players," Walther said. "It sure is relaxing to have that."

Moeller basketball coach Carl Kremer, then, must be about the most relaxed guy in town. Moeller (9-1) is favored to repeat as Division I state champion, with its only loss 71-61 to Oak Hill Academy (Va.), USA Today's No.1 team.

Kremer said Brackman's basketball development really took off around midseasoil.lastyear.

"Brack has always had a lot of talent, but his body has just matured," Kremer said.

Moeller figures to play late into March in basketball, and then Brackman will go straight to baseball. You won't catch him at home doing the video-game routine.

"I can't watch sports on TV, either," Brackman said. "I don't have the patience. I just want to be out

Brackman file Height: 6 feet 9 'h Weight: 205 pounds College choice: Has signed to

play both basketball and baseball at North Carolina State.

BASKETBALL CAREER 2003-04 SEASON Scoring: 19.4 ppg (leads

Greater Catholic League South) Rebounding: 6.5 rpg (leads team) Field goal shooting: 70-for-115 (61 percent, leads GCL) Free throw shooting: 34-for-42 (81 percent, leads team) BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS

As right-handed pitcher, went 6-0 with 1.23 ERA as junior ...

Fastball has been clocked between 88-92 mph ... Rated by rivals.com as No. 1 senior prospect in Ohio and No. 18 in nation entering the 2004 spring season. there playing."

Which he figures to be, somewhere, for quite some time.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

High school basketball

Moeller, MND top boys, girls rankings The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller and Mt Notre Dame remained unanimous choices in the Enquirer's Division I boys and girls basketball coache~· polls. The Greater Cincinnati League-South claimed the top three spots in the Division· I boys poll.

Moeller received all seven first-place votes and St Xavier received all seven second-place votes. La Salle was voted No. 3.

In the Division II-IV boys poll, Reading took over the top spot after Roger Bacon lost to Oak Hills. North College Hill moved to No. 2.

Mt Notre Dame received all six first-place votes in the Division I girls poll. Princeton and Wmton Woods are second and third.

In the Division II-IV girls poll , McNicholas fell into a first-place tie with Madeira.

Boys Polls

Girls Polls

Division I Ronk·Team

Division I Points 70 63 55 39

1. Moen~r (7) 2. St Xavier 3.La Salle 4. Hamlnon 5.PMcetan ·34 6. Withrow 34 7. lakota East 26 8. Winton Woods 17 9 Elder 16 10. Oak Hills 14 Others: lakota West 8, West H:::s 5, Mason 4.

Division II-IV Rank·Team

67 58 57 49 31 22

6 'tc-1eirn

22

6. Purcell Marian

22 12 10. Taft 11 Others: Deer Park 7, Indian H:ll6, F1nneytown 5, Woodward 4, Georgetown 3, lo'artemont2.

9. T"'ll'"

1. Mt Notre Dame (6) 60 2. Prtnceton 53 3. Wmtl>n woods 45 4. Sycamore 29 5. McAuley 28 6. Mercy 25 7. St Ursula 24 8. Harrison 21 9. lakota West 14 lOt Ursuline 7 lOt Satl>fl i Olhets:Co:m. 5, Hmlln. 4, Frfld. 3, ML Hnhy. 2, Hughes 1, 0. Hills 1.

Division II-IV

Points

1. Readmg (5) 2. NoM Col:ege H1ll (1) $.Roger tiacon (1) 4. McNicholas 5 Bad1n 6. Wyoming

Points

Rank-Team

Rink-Team 1. McNI(r.oTas (3) I. Madeira (1) 3.CHCA

Points 36 36 31 24 22 20

4. Badin 5. Vlyom:ng 6. Saven H •:s 7. Pureea Manart -i1 8. Georgetown 10 9 Mariemont 8 10. Landmari<Trinlty 6 Others: Fenwick 5, Indian Hill 5, Utile Miami 3, Goshen 2, New Richmond 2, Waynesv:lle 2, Taylor 1.

C6 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2003

WE

SPORI'S

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

i-Wireless Invitational

Mighty Moeller picks up where it left off Enquirer contril>utor

Tall and talented Crusaders pummel Lakota West 68-40

Here's a four-word summary of first impressions of Moeller's 200304 basketball team: Scary big; scary good.

"I've coached 32 years in two different states, and that's the most tal· ented team I've ever seen," Lakota West coach Mike Mueller said in the wake of Moeller's 68-40 victory in the i-Wireless Invitational Hoops Classic Friday at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

"I've seen teams that tall before, but not with that talent. They've got guys 6-9 and 6-8 inside who will probably play the 3 position in college," Mueller said.

The defending Division I state

champions and top-ranked team in the area kept the score doubled up on Westfor most of the night. Even when West, ranked No.lO in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, played an inspired first four minutes of the third quarter, they lost ground. ''We came out and played great in the third quarter, and Bubba Walther scores their first 10 points, while we're getting eight," said Mueller.

Moeller's two inside Division I signees, 6-8 Josh Duncan and 6-9 Andrew Brackman, combined for 22 points, but Walther stole the show. He scored a game-high 21

By Carey Hoffman

points, and added six rel>ounds, five assists and four steals.

"I really thought Bubba stabilized us tonight," said Moeller coach Carl Kremer. "He played like a senior and got us into some things we needed."

Walther, displaying Pete Marav· ich-style flair, made 3-of-5 threepoint tries, as Moeller as a team went 8-of-16 from behind the line.

Moeller shot 51 percent overall from the field, including better than 61 percent in the second half.

"We were loose because we have so many guys back," said Walther.

"But we were tight, too, because of having so many expectations. I

think we know deep down inside No.2 Princeton. whatitis we need to do to be v-eat."

All five ofWolfs field goals came MOELlER (681-Walther82 21,Childress30 6,Gomez from behind the 3-point line, on just 2 0 6, Duncan 3 412, Dierkers31 7, Trainor 1 0 2, Lynch 011, Brackman 4110, Far,.ll113, Totals: 25·4910-16 68. eight attempts. "He shot the ball exLAKOTA WEST (401- Chichester 2 0 4, Gschwind 0 11, Casper 2 0 6, Hansford 1 0 2, Kohs 31 7, lewis 0 11, Romero tremely well," said St. X coach Scott 0 3 3, Rathje 31 7, LaChapelle 419. Totals: 15-52 8-15 40.

Moeu.r ................................. 19 n 22 1&-QI Martin. "He's our offensive leader, lakota West ........................... 6 9 11 14 -40 and when he hits shots, it draws a 3-point goals: M- Walther3, Gomez 2, Duncan 2, Brackman; lot of attention and gives our other LW- Casper2. Records: M 1-0, LW 0-1. guys opportunities to score."

Mark Dorris scored 12 points St Xavier 59, Princeton 44 and Ross Morin 11 for Princeton.

ST. XAVIER (591 -Lund 2 0 5, Peck 0 5 5, Jutte 2 2 6, St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf debut- Deye 2 0 4, Leibold 102, Herman 011, WoWS 419, Scales3 9, Lankford 0 11, Gibler 1 2 4, Schoenhoft 11 3. Totals: . ed in mid-season form in the sec- 217-40 !B-25 59. ond game Friday night at XU. PRINCETON 1441- Morin 5111, V1ckersO 2 2, McGrath 1 0 2, 6en 1 0 2, Williams 0 2 2, Wilson 11 3, Bell 0 2 2, Wolf scored a game-high 19 Harrington I 2 4, Nelson 2 0 4, Oorris 5 2 12. Total~ 16-50 points to lead St. X, No. 3 in the En- 12-20 44, St. Xavier···-··-..···············- 12 17 12 18 -59 quirer's Division I preseason coach- Princeton •••••• -......................... 8 12 9 15 -44 es' poll, to a convincing victory over

3-pointgoals: sx -Lund, Wolf 5, Scates; P- none. Records: sx 1·0, PO-L

Elder 44, Anderson 35 Thomas Sander's double-double of 16 points arid 15 rebounds helped Elder to victory in the third of four games Friday night at XU. Despite a horrible shooting night, Anderson pulled to within 3331 in the fourth quarter before a 6-0 Elder spurt put the game away.

Kurt Shoemaker paced Anderson with nine points and 10 rebounds.

B.DER (44)- Watters 3 0 6, Schuerman 12 4, O'Conner 0 2 2, Sander 7 2 16, Sommerkamp 0 1 1, Ca"'y 3 0 7, Sunderman I 0 2, Harbin 0 2 2, Wood 2 0 4. Totals: 17-38 9-19 44, ANDERSON (351 - Patlwald 2 4 8, lnpellizzen I 0 2, Shin!')eton 2 1 5, Beck I 0 2, Shoemaker 3 3 9, Vell1 0 2, Snouffer 2 3 7. Totals: 12-5811-16 35.

Elder ................ - ... ··········-···· 4 9 11 20 -44 Anderson ..........................·-···· 10 7 4 14 -35 3-point goals: E- Carey; A- none. Records: E 1-0, A 0-1.

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Moeller's Josh Duncan drives past Josh Roflow for two of his 12 points Tuesday victory over McNicholas. Moeller is ranked No.1 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' 1c, ..'f?~""""': __' is No. 2 in the Divisions II-IV poll. Coverage, 85 - · : .. ;;_ -~

(3&

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER '

/

SPORTS

I

Moeller 74, McNicholas 45

Crusaders add to their lofty reputation

By Tom Groeschen 17ze Cincinnati Enquirer

McNicholas coach Pat Stricker has joined the list of coaches who ~ate Moeller one of the best boys ~Jasketball teams they've ever seen in the Cincinnati area.

Stricker's Rockets lost 74-45 at Moeller on Tuesday night, with the Crusaders' "Big Three" of forward Andrew Brackman (24 points), guard Bubba Walther (16) and forward Josh Duncan (12) the top s:::orers, as usual.

"I can't think of any team I've eve~ seen that's any better, up and d:>wn the line," said Stricker, a 20. year veteran of the local prep scene. 'They're big, they're strong, and they can move. They've got the entire package."

Moeller (9-1), the defending Division I state champion, has lost only to USA Today's No. 1-rated team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.), this seaSO:l. Moeller is No. 13 in the latest USA Today ratings, released Tuesda7.

-Lakota West coach Mike Mueller, after a 28-point loss to Moeller in the season opener, said the Crusacers might be the best team he ha& seen in 32 years as a prep coach. Stricker hasn't been around qui~e that long but has seen most of 11e area's great teams since his days as a player on two Mc~ick 'ltare tournament teams (1984 and '85).

'We won the (Enquirer) city title once, but I don't know if our team could have played with these guys," Stricker said. 'We were good, but not like this. I'm just happy with the way our guys competed tonight."

For Moeller, it starts with the 6foot-9 senior Brackman (signed with North Carolina State), 6-8 senior Duncan (signed with Xavier) and 6-3 senior Walther (Akron).

Ryan Childress, a 6-8 junior forward, and Pat Watt, a 5-10 junior guard, round out the starting lineup. And there's a deep bench, evidenced by 11 players scoring Tuesday.

Moeller is ranked No.1 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, and Mc~ick is No. 2 in the Divisions II-IV poll. Moeller is in the big-school Greater Catholic League South and McNick in the smaller-school GCL North, but the league counts all "crossover" games in the standings.

More bad news for the GCL: Moeller is more determined than ever after a 71-61 loss to Oak Hill Academy last week at a holiday tournament in Raleigh, N.C. Moeller was within four points of the lead late in the game. Moeller teams have never lacked for hustle, but Crusader:; players say they now will amp it up even more.

"We found out that our height and talent aren't going to carry us like it sometimes does around

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Andrew Brackman (left) puts up a shot over McNicholas' Josh Roflow Tuesday. Brackman finished with 24 points.

here," Walther said. 'We learned we have to keep playing hard and be fundamental. If you play hard and have talent, you can beat anybody."

Moeller started a bit slowly Tuesday, with Mc:'\ick hanging in at an 8-7 disadvantage after a few minutes. But then suddenly it was 22-7, with Moeller's trapping defense creating numerous tumovers and conversions. It was 24-11 after one quarter, and though Mc:-.;ick kept playing hard, the game essentially was over.

"It's a little hard to pass out of those traps \vith two 6-8 guys looking down at you," said Stricker, whose tallest player is 6-6.

Moeller has four players 6-7 or bigger.

"I was a little concerned after our trip last week, thinking we might have a little lull," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I was pleased with our defensive intensity, especially early."

No Cincinnati-area team has come closer than 21 points to Moeller. The Crusaders next face a big GCL test Friday, when Division I No. 5 St. Xavier visits Moeller.

McNICHOLAS (4-4, 2-2GCI.l ~ Fo:tz 2 0 4; D't:cr-:t 6 2 ~ 2 g~ RJ~:o~·.• 4 0 cl; C;:::r::: 1. 0 2:

17; Yc:-:ls 0 1 !: ;,·;:·j St~·e<'eo'.

2 o ~ ro·:·c: 18 5 45.

MOEllER 1'-1. ~ GCU- Y:a1~cc G3 16; Cc. :tc'" 2 2 6; 0:1~~~~ 5 212· \'::~0 2 2· B:act:rr.nn 9 G24; C_:.-•ES 1

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E-mail tgroesclzen@enquirer. com

Moeller wins Moeller's Joe Kimener tips a loose ball away from a Kettering Alter player during Friday night's game. The Crusaders, ranked No.1 in the Enquirer's coaches poll, defeated Alter 55-42. High school coverage, C6¡7

12- 1-·

novv 2-0 ~ft;ee st~r's outing Crus~ders

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Tric C:r:cir:;:a!i Er:~ir•ircr

Crrl Kremer fiffUI'CS his Moeller boys b~:cl:ctbcll team will be out· st<t.'1ciinn. efpecially next season.

But t:ti;;; sca<>or. is also shaping up pre:~~: v;cll.

Tn,:~ Crus<:dcrs,

ranked No.1 in the E;:qd;n's Division I area coaclr.:s poll, rai~~d their record to 2-0 by i>catll:g, Kettering Alter 5542 on Ff.rlay Pl!(ht. Moell.er is in the brr:{·:;dwol Greater Catholic Lia~~~ South and Alter is in the smallz"·-school GCL :>:orth, with all eame:s counili:?, in the lea~e lltanclli: gs.

"Jt';; ffO:>d to h&V(; tht"S~ [{lind-it· out games early in the year,~ Krem· cr said. 'We got gcod play out of all eight rruys in our rotation tonighC Kremer beineves the Crusaders, vrith three: juniors in their startine lineup, arc b"ttcr set for 2Gfl3-04 thoo thiu st>as~m. He said there is no dominant Cindrnati team such as -n~mton 'Nuoch b recent seasons.

"There ru-e ~:~:v~·rnl teams that c:dd fini~h ='!'o.l." Kremer sai,d.

"Our rro<l is to be there at the end."

Josh DUlllcan, a 6-foot-7 junior fc::-viru-d rntd as one of the state's wp p!ay,rs. krl Mo<'ller with 21 p:J:Ub'., !1 ~ven rcjounds and four hh~:;:c~ ,,h(ltf:. Duncan, v:ho can ;:J!o:;t ?rrnintcrs or p:>st up, was >. ·::;.c~~:.::C: : 'Y ~Jt;~r(lluctte Lniven;ity c:n '-'rki,Dy nif{ht and v.'iJ hav<; a lone Ibt u.f colSerrc suitors before he'~ thmu.P,"h.

"He's o ..'tremdy versatile, and that's what I lil:c about him," Kremer :;dd of Duncan. j:mi.or fUard Bubba 'Valther, a !rrr::;f2r fnm Colerain, added 13 phl:ts for the Crusaders. !\it:cr S('dor rruard Dour, Penno b.d 12 poi!tts but fouled uut \"illilc •.ry:r:r, !0 r;t 11.ni Dtmcrn. Permo, al~'fJ ~ ~~:rmdG:lt runniDr.; bc:c:~. is one nf t:1.:'~:.': Kr;;r:!J.t;; ri..'~h.E !'Cl p:~t" '~"'~"x:itnc;tcd ~o 7l;!«r:,(;toal: af.

r:::tt::::cts h~tl Dn:ott::n (r~Cl!~) scored a game-1'1:g!~ 21 p:)'r.ts and ~rabbed 3eVS'l re~Jo:.:nds iiff<l'~st Kettering Alter defendars such as Andy Stict>v:~~ o~ Friday. Duncen·s C~":.:f..c:de;·s \':C:' 55 42.

Altt•r (1-1. (J.-1). n:ted ~:o. 3 in the on Duncan, and once he got in foul trouble, we were in trouble," Alter Day-!m: D5:e!y Nczr.c; :1ivh,no:: 1I ;,r;·a coach]o:' Pctrccelli said. MAll in :i:. pnll, b:::::t Kc·r:::~::r~ Fa:mw:::t :1~-11 I thoutrht it vias a good effort. I lli· (yc>~. 31-17) b iti: npc·:tcr :a,,t \;<;·d:. ways p,o in t!1inldng v.-e have a Fairmont p!ared ''"'- c,~·,·cmc:r de~ ch;mcc to wb the state in Divl~lon likmtc tc:rr:pa b. f:;:~ rs·.::~e.

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

HIGH SCHOOLS

FN

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2004 CS

Higb school insider

Big picture shows Moeller's amazing run Moeller was supposed to be playing for its second straight Division I boys' basketball title Saturday night in Columbus.

But the Crusaders weren't there.

Moeller, hailed by rival coaches as one of the best teams Cincinnati has ever seen, failed to make the 2004 Final Four. The Crusaders fell one game short, upset by Columbus Brookhaven 52-48 in the regional finals last weekend.

"It still hurts," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "But this was an unbelievable group of seniors, and they won 45 games in two years.

Not a lot of high school teams have won 45 games in two years." â&#x20AC;˘ Moeller players were dis-

traught after the loss to Brookhaven, in a game played at Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum.

"It was a long bus ride home," Moeller star Andrew Brackman said, a few days later. "It's kind of sad that it's all over, but we'll look back with good memories."

Tom Kremer reluctantly attended this year's state tournament, as most Ohio coaches do.

"At first I wasn't sure if I'd go," Kremer said. "But life goes on."

Groeschen

Ufe was good the past two years at Moeller.

Last year's team went 23-4 and upset Brookhaven in the finals.

This year's team was 22-3, blasting Cincinnati opponents by more than 20 points per game. The only blemishes, before last weekend, were a 10-point loss to USA Today's No. 1-rated Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and a one-point road loss to GCL South rival La Salle.

Lakota West coach Mike Mueller, who has coached a combined 32 years in Ohio and Illinois,. called Moeller the most talented team he's ever seen. McNicholas coach Pat Stricker said he couldn't remember a team as good in the past 20 years.

Brackman and fellow forward ]osh Duncan both earned all-state honors. Bubba Walther was the combination point guard/shooting guard who ran the team. Duncan has signed with Xavier, Brackman a baseball-basketball package with North Carolina State, and Walther signed with Akron. Four other seniors also graduate.

Maybe this year's expectations were a bit much?

"At times I thought we were over-hyped," Kremer said. "But at the same time, I'm very proud of what these guys did. They faced a lot of pressure to win."

Moeller returns 6-foot-8 inside players Ryan Childress and Tyler Dierkers and starting guard Pat-

rick Watt, so the well is not dry.

But this was obviously a special group of seniors, achieving USA Today ratings at various times the past two years.

"We played the very best schedule you could play in high school basketball, won a state title and got national rankings," Kremer said. "We11 remember the good things more than how this year ended."

HARMONY HAMMERS: Harmony Community School has some big names on its revamped football coaching staff. Former Miami University standout receiver Jeremy Patterson has been named head coach, and former Ohio State star running back Carlos Snow is an

assistant.

Deland McCullough, the previous Harmony head coach, has become the school's executive director. McCullough, former star running back at Miami University, assumed his new duties after former Harmony executive director David Nordyke died in December.

FAMILIAR FACE: Perceptive fans noted that, yes, that was former Oak Hills coach Nann Meyer who directed Minster to the Division IV girls' state basketball title last weekend. Meyer, now Nann Stechschulte, coached Oak Hills to the Class AAA girls' state finals in 1986.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

!

Moeller gym gets USA Today honor

USA Today named Moe!'; ler High School one of the _ best places to watch a prep tl basketball game. Moeller was included in the ~ Nos. 11-20 list. The only ~ other Ohio school men~ tioned was Canton McKinley, Of Moeller, the newspaper wrote, "Digital Jumbotrons and an unparalleled noise level."

a

LA S A lOci/} j 10 other places worth watching high school hoops

.

Moeller

Cincinnati

Digital jumbotrons and an unparalleled noise level.

Centralia

Centralia, Ill.

Most wins of any high school program; regularseason seats usually sold out before season.

Covington Catholic

Park Hills, Ky.

Every game has theme, and students dress accordingly: Toga Night, Village People night.

Frankfort

Frankfort, Ind.

Site of the movie Blue Chips; Hot Dogs have won four state titles.

Moline

Moline, Ill.

Wharton Field House built in 1927.

McKinley

Canton, Ohio

Lower and upper levels seat 5,000, and every seat in the house is great; winnlngest program in Ohio.

Mattoon

Mattoon, Ill.

Pep club is named Team Massive.

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.

Rowdy group, "The Zoo," rents animal costumes for season.

Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial

Bingham, Maine

Team's last loss was February 1997.

White Station

Memphis

Team hasn't lost a home game in three seasons.

.. BASKETBALL

Moeller survives Bombers 76-72 Friday's Moeller-La Salle contest has been touted by many as the Game of the Year, butifsgoingtohave some stiff competition.

Sunday, the Crusaders just edged past St. Xavier, despite 34 points from the Bombers' Johnny Wolf.

Moeller (17-2, 1(}.1) stays one game pehind La Salle (18-0, 11-0) in the Greater Catholic League South going into their showdown at Moeller. ~N~ STORY, C3

.Z//6/o~

·•muaau~»> ENQ. ~~afo--1

ONLINE

Moeller? La Salle?

Make your pick Since Moeller and La Salle last played, neither team has lost. To see how each squad fared against the same opponents, and to post your comments on who will win Friday night's matchup at Moeller, go to Cincinnati.Com, Keyword: preps.

MOELLER WINS GCL RIVALRY

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Josh Duncan scored a game-high 30 points in the No. 1 Crusaders' 74-56 victory over Greater Catholic League rival No. 5 St. Xavier. Here, Duncan scores two of his points against the Bombers' Kyle Gibler. Duncan added 10 rebounds during the sellout game. Coverage, C9

HIGHS!

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Moeller 74, St. Xavier 56 I.

'to

Double-double from Duncan dunks Bombers Crusader scores career-high 30

By Tom Groescheti The Cincinnati Enquirer

Josh Duncan looked like his old self Friday night, in yet another dose of bad news for Moeller basketball opponents.

Duncan scored a career-high 30 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Moeller; the Enquirer's No. 1-ranked Division I team, to a 74-56 win over No. 5 St. Xavier before a sellout crowd at Moeller.

"And to think, some people were worried about]osh," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said, smiling.

"111is was by far the most active and in the flow he's been this season."

Duncan, a 6-foot-8 all-state senior forward, led Moeller to the state title as a junior and was named Enquirer/Channel9 Player of the Year. But he had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason and missed most of preseason practice and just now is rounding into form.

"It's feeling pretty good right now," Duncan said after Friday's game. "I'd say I'm back to about 95 percent.· With therapy and with God's help, hopefully 111 be all the way back soon."

Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, averaged 18.9 points last season but his average this season was down slightly, to

15.4, entering Friday.

Fellow senior forward Andrew· Brackman, who has signed with North Carolina State, has taken over the Moeller scoring lead at 19.4 a game and pitched in 19 points Friday.

The combination of the 6-foot-8 Duncan (two dunks) and the 6-9lfz Brackman (four dunks) was too much for St. Xavier, which otherwise held its own under the glass.

The Bombers forged a 26-26 tie in rebounding and also have some inside height and brawn, but not enough scorers the caliber of Duncan and Brackman.

St. Xavier was led by its star, junior guard Johnny Wolf, who had 22 points including several NBArange 3-pointers.

"We have to play a very good game to beat that team," St. Xavier coach Scott Martin said. "We make a few more shots, we're right in it. We feel good because we battled them on the boards, but we have to make a few more shots."

St. Xavier shot 42 percent for the game, Moeller 47 percent. But a key stat was turnovers, with Moeller's half-court pressure causing 21 Bombers errors.

Moeller is rated No. 13 nationally by USA Today, and Duncan's performance only solidifies the Crusaders' status as Ohio's top-

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Bubba Walther has his shot blocked by St. Xavier's Tyler Jutte. Walther finished with nine points.

ranked team.

Moeller was able to win comfortably despite the third member of its "Big Three," senior guard Bubba Walther, being held to nine points, about five below his average. But Walther was also busy on the defensive end, trying to help guard Wolf.

"We're going to have different guys step up on different nights, and that's what I feel good about," Kremer said. 'Tonight it was Josh, and it was good to see him look like that again."

ST. XAVIER 16-3, 2·2 GCL-5) - Lund 2 2 6; Wolf 7 3 22; Gedeon 2 0 5; Deye 10 2; Sweeney 10 2; Gibler3 8 14; Schoenhoft 2 0 5. Totals: 18 13 56.

MOELLER {10-1, 5-0 GCL·Sl - Walther 3 3 9; Childress 1 2 5; Duncan 10 7 3D; Wattll3; Brackman 6 7 19; Gomez 0 2 2; Dier1<ers 2 0 4; Stovall! 0 2. Totals: 24 22

74. ' St. Xavier ••-....................... 9 10 23 14-56 Moeller ............._ ..._______ 13 14 24 23 -74

3-pointers: X 7 (Wo" 5, Gedeon, Schoenhoft), M 4 (Duncan 3, Childress). ·

...

La Salle, NCH retain top poll spo~~'

Boys basketball

But//fi Lancers' lead in rankings shrinks as Trojans' edge grows ~~

~

1/t'\ r I , T.. "-'"'r

·

, , , , mg Valley and Dover :filled up the all four of his team s third-quarter rest of the top contenders. points and finished with 21.

The Ctnctnn 1Enqu1rer

COLUMBUS- La Salle in Divi· sion I and North College Hill in Division III maintained their positions atop Ohio Associated Press state boys basketball polls, which were released Tuesday.

Arlington took its unbeaten recordto. the top of the heap in Divi· sion IV in balloting by a state media panel. The Red Devils, from Hancock County, climbed two spots to take over the No. 1 position from Sebring McKinley.

LaGrange Keystone remains No. 1 in Division II. LaSalle and North College Hill tied for the most first-place votes (24) and the highest point totals (317) in the voting.

LaSalle's lead in Division I melted away, from 53 points a week ago over North Canton Hoover to just 13 points. That was due in large part to ·Hoover's 70-63 win over crosstown rival Canton McKinley last week.

Moeller was No.3 in Division I, followed by Troy and defending state champion Columbus Brookhaven. McKinley dropped two spots to sixth.

In Division III, North College Hill expanded its lead to 34 points (11 more than a week ago) over Versailles as the top five teams retained the same spots as a week ago.

Johnstown-Monroe was again third, Akron Manchester fourth and Loudonville fifth.

Arlington owns a 21-point edge over No.2 New Washington Buckeye Central, .with Sebring McKinley falling to third. Fort Loramie and Berlin Hiland rounded out the top five in the small-school division.

Undefeated Keystone's lead moved from 12 to 19 points over Akron St. Vmcent-St Mary in Division II. Ottawa-Glandorf, Newark lickJ

t

Chaminade·Julienne

,

• McNicholas

69

'

57

CNE- Jones o4 4, Dorsey 1 o3, Oliver 3 3 9, Hosler 3 4 10, Moore 0 11, Clem 1 0 2, Runyan, 4 513, Fishback 53 13.

Totai~A~M~ 14-11, 3-71- Goodman 1 o2. Blair 8 o21

Ryan Patrick scored 18 points ~~:~~~ 11~ 2io~~;'~ ~04~· Hllwn 113· Mccarthy 4 414 and Derrick Brown had 17 for the CNE............................................. 8 1s 14 18 -ss Nonvood ............................~....... 11 19 4 11 -45 Eagles.

Nic Dyment, who made two bas- 3·pointers: CNE• 1 (Dorsey}; N 7 (Blair 5, McCarthy 2}. kets from the field and hit 14 free Fayetteville 68, Blanchester 45 throws, scored 18 points for the John Lykins led the game in Rockets, the No.5 team in the En- scoring with 22 points, including quirer Divisions II-IV coaches poll. six 3-pointers, and grabbed eight CHAMINAO£ (10·6, 8-3 GCl N]- Allen 0 11, Brown 57 rebounds.

17, Bonner 3 0 6, Clay 1 o 2, Horton 1 0 2, Patnck 6 3 18, Ian Miller scored 12 points and Turner 5 0 13, Troutman 4 2 10. Totals; 25 13 69.

MCNICHOLAS 16-9, 3·7 GCL Nl - Dyment 2 14 18, grabbed 12 rebounds.

YardsO 11, Guy215, Ward 4312, Ronow 12 4, Carmel2 04, Rnn 10 2, Stamper! 0 2, Schlagheck 419. Totals: 17 22 57.

Cllaminade .......... -.................... 15 17 18 19 -69 McNicholas................................ 4 17 18 21-57 3-pointers: Cl1aminade 6 (Patrick 3, Turner 3); McNicholas 1 (Ward}.

Fenwick

75, Franklin 57

Lebanon

69

.

Fa1rbom

56

FAIRBORN (MMLNS-51-Huffman 317, Sogard4 213, Byrd40 8, Dow8 5 23, Copeland 124, McDuffyO 1 !Totals 20 1156.

LEBANON (12·3, MMLN 10-IJ - Smith 1 0 2, A. Pritchard 3 2 a, T: Pritchard 9 6 28, Hammons 4 9 17, Jo. Langston 3 2 8, Mrvaljevic 10 2, Heileman 204, Totals2321 69, Fairborn................................... 9 12 8 27 -56 Lebanon .................................._, 17 14 11 27 -69 3~prnnters: FB 5 (3 Sogard, 2 Dow}; l2 (T, Pritchard,

56, Harmony 40

FAYETIEVJLlE(5-8,3-51·lykins 8022. MasUn 3 2 6, 0, Miller 3 0 7, Cronin 1 0 2, I. Miller 6 0 12, lynch 11 3,

Shroder Paideia

Billy Nelson had 17 points and :five assists, and Melvin Jones added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Shroder. ·

Blanchester..............................

Rob Kreke scored 20 points for HARMONY 15-71- Gibson 10 3, Forte6117, Gunn I 02 Gray204, Foster215, Adkins I 02, Burke20 4, Jones 102, Fenwick, ranked No.7 in the En- LaSalle 7l, Roger Bacon 52 Anderson 0 11. Totals: 18 3 40.

SHROOER(Il-4}-Johnson 113, Oean I 03, Nelson 8 0 quirer Divisions II-IV area coaches' Colin Flynn scored 16 points for 17, Wilson 2 610, R. Cheatham 4412,Jones 5010, Waldon poll.

II. Totals: 20 12 56, the Lancers, who are No. 1 in the 0Hannony ..................................... 15 5 12 8 -40 FENWICII-Akers!03, Kreke 3 5 20, McWeeney2 0 5, Enquirer Division I coaches' poll. Shroder....................................... 8 17 14 17-56 McDonald 2 2 6, M, Bidwell6113, Rouster124, Cross 2 2 7, Rost4 513, A. Bidwell2 0.4. Totals 2617 75.

FRANKUN (7-9, 3-91- Miller 4 2 12, Ayers 10 3, Kaer 4 412, Overbee 10 3 24, Wagner 3 0 6, Totals 22 9 57.

Fenwl<k ........ -.......................... 23 23 13 16 -75 Franklin...................................... 14 12 13 18 -57 3-pointers: Fen. 6 (Kreke 3, Akers, McWeeney, Cross); Fra. 4 (MIIIer2. Ayem, Overbee), Landmark Trinity

58, CCD 51

Senior forward Phillip Medley had career highs with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead Landmark Trinity to the victory.

CCD 18-71 - Rue 1 2 4, Ward 3 o 7, Graves 3 0 9, Brownstein 4212, GardnerO 11, Seward317, Smith5111.

TotalS', 19 7 51.

LANDMARK TRINITY (9-71 -McGuffey 2 2 7, Snell16 8, C. Medley1810, Rosser5212, P. Medley 7115, Wolford3 0 6, Totals: 19 1958. ceo ..........-.............................. 15 12 1 11 -s1 undtrulrk Trinity_,.................... 19 13 12 14 -58 3-pointers: CCO 6 (Ward, Graves 3, Brownstein); LT 1 (McGuffey}.

CNE

55, NoiWood 45

Travis Runyon scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter for Clermont Northeastern.

Norwood's Danny Blair scored

LASALLE (14-0, S.OGCL)- Mansoor2 611, Ruberg43 14, Wiegele 12 4, Flynn 6 2 16, Orr 2 5 10, WIObell 2 0 4, Welter2 04, Winterhalter 10 2, Stanchek 10 2, Teepe 12 4.

TotalS: 22 20 71. · )IOG£R BACON (3·12, 3·71 -Bettis I 0 2, Haarman 3 4 12, Stevens 2 2 6, Nolan 0 11, Zeller 1 0 2, Walker 2 0 4, Gebreberhane 7 317, Duffy3 0 6, KnechtO 2 2. Totals: 1912 52 US.IIe........................................ 18 20 15 18 -71 Ropr Bacon............................... 14 14 3~pointers:

8 16 -52

L 7 (Flynn 2, Orr, Mansoor, Ruberg 3); RB 2

(Haarrnan 2).

Belmont

60, Hughes 58

Ibu Marone scored with nine seconds to play to win the game for Belmont.

Adrian Graves scored 22 points for Hughes, which missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. ' BELMONT (6-91- Allen 3 0 9, Brown 419, Ross 8 319, Marone 5010, Hoyle 409, Clar1102 2, lvory022. Totals:24 860

HUGHES (3-121- Scott 10 2, Johnson 12 5, Graves 9 3 22, Russ 6113, Steele 2 2 6, Smith 215, Stllrr 2 0 5. Totals:

eg•

.

Belmont .................................... 12 17 16 15-60 Huglles .............................-....... 8 15 21 14 -58 3~pointers: Belmont 4 (Allen 3, Hoyle); Hughes 3 (Johnson, Graves, Starr).

22, Mock 3, Marunl15, Totals: 20 4 46, AL1IIIl7·9,4-7GCLNI-Jasper6,Fortener2,Roderer 13, oorow 12. Freshwater 20. Riazzi 11 Totals: 20 19 64.

9 12 12 13 -46

·' · Bodin..........................................

1 Tyler Pritchard set Lebanon's :"~~;~~..;~~;·;..~..;~~;~~:;...~;·rti~~ A~:, 5 ~Ro~:.:; career SCOring reCOrd with 1,249 Freshwater, Riazzi), points and also set the school's con· Talawanda 68, Lemon-Monroe 48 secutive free throw streak by makTALAWANDA - Voris 1 0 2, Rhodenbaugh 3 0 6, Zimmerman 3 0 6, Vanness 5012, Williams 2 04, McGinley! ing his 33rd straight.

0 3, Woodruff I 0 3, Reed 6 618, Pritikln 12 4, Smith 50 10, Pritchilrd led the Warriors in TOtals: 28 8 68.

LEMON·MONROE- Booth 5 0 10, Tannreuther 2 4 8, SCOring with 28 points.

Grigsby 4 110, Harrington 3 1 7, Thacker 4 19. Myers'O 11,

Thompson 0 3 3, Wolf 0 2 2, Cromer 4 0 9. Totals 26 8 68.

BIANCHESTIII- Tudor 113, Davis 2 2 6, Bell 5 414, Burton 5114, Hollingsworth 113, Smith 10 2, Johnson 113.

Totals 16 10 45.

Fayetteville................................. 18 8 20 22 -68 7 10 14 14-45 3~polnters: F 8 (Lykins 6, 0, Miller, Cromer}; B 3 (Burton}.

Alt!~~"~~~l!~Roesch4,Maus2.S~tthrnt

3-pointers: Harmony 1 (Gibson); Shroder 2 (Dean, Nelson}.

Goshen

75, New Richmond 54

The Warriors' Brad Monk scored · 19 of his game-high 40 points in the third quarter. David Duncan had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks to lead the Lions.

GOSHEN (4-121 -Anderson 2 0 5, Lehnert 3 0 8, Bunnell 4111. Monk 16 4 40, McClanahan 5 0 11. Totals: 30 5 75.

NEW RK:IIMOND (5-91- Todd 0 II, McMonigle8117, Steelman 1 0 2, Young 2 0 4, Kilgore 1 2 4, Duncan 7 4 20, Holman 3 0 6. Totals: 22 8 54.

Goshen .................... _................. 16 11 24 24 -75 New 21 10· 9 14 -54 3-pointers: Goshen 10 (Anderson, Lehnert 2, Bunnell2, Monk 4, McClanahan); New Richmond 2 (Duncan 2}.

Richmond...........................

72, Winton Woods 67 Western Hills

WINTON WOODS (14-21- Johnson 1 0 2, Edmondson 1 03, White31 7, Williams5111.Akbar9322, H Brown4 614, J Brown 0 4 4, Wynn 2 0 4, Totals: 2515 67, WESTIIIN HILLS (11.-4)- Horton 4 0 9, Brooks 1 5 7, Russia 10 3, Redden 9 2 24, Wright 12 4, Howard 3 411, Moten 54 14, Totals: 24 17 72.

Wlnllln Woods......................... 22 1~ 13 15 -67 Wostem Hills ...................... _. ...., 12 8 29 22 -72 3~polnters: WW 2 (Edmondson, Akbar); WH 7 (Horton, Russia, Redden 4, Howard}.

Hunt 1 0 3. Totals: 19 8 48, Talawanda ................................. 18 19 21 10 -68 Lemon·Monroe .... - .................... 11 15 8 14-48 3's: T 4 (Vanness 2, McGinley, Woodruff}; LM 2 (Grigsby, Hunt).

Clark Montessori

65,

Middletown Christian

48

ClARK MONTESSORI (6-91- Perry 2 0 4, Colvin 1 0 3, Vila 20 4, Metz3 0 6, Vlssing113, Curry 11127, Wily3 28, Rolley 0 II, Brown 10 2, Hickson 3 I 7, Totals: 27 6 65.

MID. CHRISTIAN (4-101 - Hudson 1 0 2, Haddix 3 1 7, Gordon 419, Petry113, Ruggles419, Hannon 6 818. Totals: 214 48.

Clark Montessort ....................... 9 18 21 17 -65 Mid. Christian............................ 6 12 15 15 -48 3~pointers: C 5 (Curry 4, Colvin}; MC 2 (Harmon 2}.

North Adams

59, Ripley 43

RIPL£Y 112·2, 6-2SHLI- Howard 10 2, Henderson 53 13, Fultz 12 4, Sexson 5112, Davis 4 412. Totals 1610 43, NORTH ADAMS (12·3, 8-11- Moore 3 0 6, Berry 1 0 2, Semple 5 313, Simpson 113, Copas 5 414, Meade 6114, Hughes 3 1 7. Totals 2410 59 Ripley ...................... _................. 10 4 17 12-43 /torth Adams............................. 16 10 13 20 -59 3·pointers: R 1 (Sexson}; NA !(Meade).

Western Brown

64, Glen Este 38

GLEN E51E 11·141- Kirby 4 210, Jackson 113, McCalla 2 o 4, Kerss 3 0 6, Euton 3 3 9, Walker 12 4, Passarge 1 o 2, TotalS: 15 8 38.

WESTIIIN BROWN (11·31 - Barber 0 4 4, Kuntz 3 0 6, Thomas 53 14, Delaney 0 2 2, Hiler 53 13, Randall 50 11, Gregory 3 2 8, Bradford 3 0 6, Totals: 2414 64, Glen [ole ................ -................. 9 4 11 14 -38 Western 14 16 9 25-64 3·pointers: WB 2 (Thomas, Randall),

Brown..........................

Felicity

50, Williamsburg 4l

WILLIAMSBURG (1-15, 1·11 SBC} - Bruns 3 3 9, Burroughs 3 0 7, Ferguson 1 0 2, Smith 7 115, Laws 3 2 a.

Totals: 17 641.

FEUCITY 19-7,6-51- Hatfield3 0 8, Powers 216, Fleig 3 0 6, lllie 2 15, Butts 8 116, Jannan 317. Totals: 214 50, WDIIamsburg .............................. 7 13 IS 6 -41 Felicity..................................... 19 7 16 8-50 3~1J{Jntere: W1 (Ferguson); F 4 (Hatfield 2, Powers, Butts}.

Whiteoak

62, Manchester 53

MANCHESTIII (1·13, 0·7 SilL}- West 5012, Colvin 2 0 5, Werfine 1 0 3, Hamm 4 6 15, Lovejoy 11 3, Dean 7 0 15.

Tota~: 20 7 53.

WHITEOAK 111·5, 7-41- Hunt146, Barnett4110, Soh! 10 0 20, Harvey 4 5 13, Kibler 4 5 13. Tota~: 23 15 62, Manchester............................... 9 15 10 19 -53 Whiteoak .............................. _ 12 16 14 20 -62 3·pointers: M 6 (West 2, Colvin, Werline, Hamm, Dean}; W 1 (Bamett}. '

·Sectional pairings

La Salle gets nod as No.1

D-I seed

By Carey Hoffman

En~~1~~;uy

Wh~n area Division I coaches determined the top teams in this year's sectional tournament brackets Saturday, two guiding forces shaped their decisions - respect and fear.

Unbeaten La Salle earned respect as the runaway choice for the top seed, but when it came time for coaches to cast their own fate by putting their team into the brackets, defending state champion Moel· ler was the team they most tried to avoid.

La Salle coach Dan Fleming, whose team is toP'ranked in the current state AP poll, said he probably would have· made the same choice had he been in their position.

"When you line up our 12 guys versus Moeller's 12 guys, their 12 look a lot better," he said.

"Everyone stayed away from Moeller and La Salle, especially Moeller, and that's what you would expect," St. X coach Scott Martin said.

Matchups with those two were the last left available in the Division I brackets. North· west, choosing second from last, chose La Salle.

"We had no choice, with the 17th pill out of18," said Northwest coach Tom Orth, a La Salle assistant for four years in the 1990s. "La Salle and Moeller are two of the best teams in the state. We have tremendous respect for Dan and the La Salle program."

Moeller will face Mount Healthy in the opening round.

Hamilton earned the No.3 seed and St. X the No. 4 seed in the Division I super draw that covered.sectionals at UC, Xavier and Miami.

The other area team atop a state poll, North College Hill' in Division III, earned the top seed in the sectional at Sycamore.

Two teams enjoying resurgent seasons also earned No. 1 seeds - Taft in the Anderson Division II sectional and Lock- , land in the Loveland Division N sectional. · "We got a good draw," first· year Taft coach Mark Mitchell said. "I'm happy for our kids.

They've suffered for a long time, but this sectional will be . competitive because we've got a lot of blue-collar teams."

The toughest sectionals ai>' pear to be the Miami Universi· ty lower bracket in Division I with Wmton Woods, Lebanon and Princeton; the Anderson lower bracket in Division II with Indian Hill, Western Brown, McNicholas and Taft; the Sycamore upper bracket in Division III with Ripley, Shroder, Deer Park, Batavia and Madeira; and the Loveland lower bracket in Division lV with Cincinnati Country Day, Felicity and Landmark. •

Notebook ~/3 .,/;'I

Walther, Weybright reach milestone Players score 1,000 points

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bubba Walther of Moeller and Kevin Weybright of Wyoming both recently reached the 1,000-point mark for their basketball careers.

Walther scored the first 526 points of his ca., wr at Colerain. He transferred to !vi oeller before his junior season and helped the Crusaders win the Division I state title.

W eybright is one of the .top football-basketball seniors in Cincinnati, having received all-state and all-city honors as a standout receiver and defensive back.

Both Walther and Weybright played on the same MU basketball team last summer, coached by Oak

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..

ESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004 B3

L. West boys now lOth in D-1 poll The Cincinnati Enquirer

Other than Lakota West moving into the ranks, there was relatively little change in The Enquirer Division I boys coaches' poll on Monday.

West, which beat Lakota East on Friday night 6453, bumped the Thunderhawks for the final spot in this week's poll.

In the Division II-IV poll, Taft, with 88 points, kept its hold on the top spot, with North College Hill close behind with 74 points. Taft took over the top spot from NCH for the first time last week.

Reading, Madeira and McNicholas round out the top five.

McNicholas, ranked third last week, dropped to No.5 after losing to Roger Bacon 53-51.

In the Division I girls poll, Mount Notre Dame, 15-0, garnered all firstplace votes for the top spot Harrison, Princeton, Sycamore and Hamilton complete the top five.

Boys Division I bnk·Toam

.,_

I. La Salle (8) 2 Moeller 3. Ham,lton

Pn. Record

80

1 2 3

n

64

13-2 14-2 13-2 12-3 13-2

4 St XBVIe<' 53 4 5. Princeton 46 5 6. W.nton Wooos 40 6 14-1 7. O.k H,::s 29 7 I~ 8 Wrthrow 21 8 11·3 9. Elder 14 9 9-5 10. Lakota West 10 NR 9-5 Otllers: Western H1lls 6; Mason 2; Anderson I; Nollhwest I; Lakota East I

Boys Division II-IV bnk·T-

Pn.

.,_

I. Tafi(7)

88 I 74 2 3. Read1ng 80 5 4. Made~ra 56 4 5. McN1cholas 52 3 6_ W)'Om!Og 32 9 7t Tu!ll•n 29 6 7t. Fenw1ck 29 7 9. Cl.mon-Massle 18 10 10. tocklana 18 8 Otllers: lnd,an HillS; R1pley 8: Roger Bacon 6; Western Brown 6: Oeer Park 5; fl"neytown 3; Rnneytown 3

2 Norttl College H1ll (2)

Girls Division I bnk-TI. Mt Notre Dome (10)

2

P<~nceton

.,_

Pn.Reccwd

100

1

69 77

2

15-0

15-1 3. Ha'l'lson 3 1&-1 4 s,camore 53 4 12-4 5. Ham,::on 50 6 13-4 6_ W•nton WOOOS 46 8 14-4 7. Co!era1n 43 7 11-5 8. Seton 35 9 S-5 9. McAuley 32 5 10-6 10 Mercy 5 10 &-9 0t11ers: Ursul•ne 3; Ameba 2: Glen Este 2; Lakota West 2; LDveland I

Girls Division II-IV bnk·TOOII

Points

l'n.

I. Made'ra (3) 73 2 66 1 2 McNICholas 3. Georgetown 47 5 41 3 4 Wyomln£ 39 9 5 CHCA 6. Bad!O 41 4 7.SevenH!Iis 31 7 30 6 8 Ro~ Bacon 9. Wes'.ern Brown 19 NR 10 Taft 16 10 0t11ers: Fenwick 9; Waynesv111e 8; l.and'Tlark Tnmty 7; Pun:ell Manan 5: Kmg; 5; l.Jt!Je W.arnl3

2

jt <2/ oy

Northeast Suburban Life A11

Basketball league crowns on line this week

By Dave Schutte Sports Editor

Most league championships have already been decided but several will be contested this week.

The biggest is in the Greater Catholic League South Division where undefeated and first place La Salle travels to Moeller for a showdown with the second place Crusaders.

Coach Carl Kremer's Moeller team lost to La Salle on Jan 23 when Justin Orr sank a field goal at the buzzer.

The Crusaders needed a victory over St. Xavier on Sunday to remain one-game behind La Salle. Moeller came through and are now in position to salvage at least a tie for the championship with La Salle.

Madeira needs a victory over Indian Hill on Friday to claim the outright Cincinnati Hills League championship.

VVyorning trails by one game.

Lockland and North College Hill have wrapped up the small and big school divisions of the Miami Valley Conference.

Although Clermont Northeastern won win the Southern Buckeye Conference ~-.. ~~ More than just

f~<.r â&#x20AC;˘

~~

~IVNt.1\?

chocolate.

9823 Montcomery Rd.

793-9999

championship, coach Jerry Doerger's Rockets will complete the season at 13-7 with victories at Williamsburg (Thursday) and New Richmond (Friday).

Western Brown needs a victory this week to clinch the Buckeye Division of the SBC while Batavia holds a one-game lead over East Clinton is the Cardinal Division champion.

Felicity stands out 9-10 with Thursday's game at New Richmond the finale. tournament Sectional plays for the boys . doesn't begin until next week. eastsports@communitypress.com

Moeller 66' .t..J.IQ. z/lt/D!/ , Chaminade-Julienne 51 Andrew Brackman scored 27 points as the Crusaders won their 16th game of the season. Seniors Bubba Walther and Josh Duncan each added 12 points for Moeller, which totaled 24 assists.

CHAMINADE IU·71 - Brown 7 4 21, Patrick 4 0 11, Collins I 0 2, Turner I 0 3, Troutman I 0 2, Dees 2 2 7, Bonner 2 I 5. Totals: 18 7 51.

MOnLER 116-2,9-1 GCI.)- Walther 4 212, Gomez I 0 3, Duncan 5 112, Dier1<ers 4 0 B, Watt I 0 2, Carter 1 0 2, Brackman 9 9 27. Totals: 25 12 66. a..mlnade ·--·21 8 4 18 -51

Moeller·-···--·----21 14 13 18 -as 3-pointers: Chaminade B (Brown 3, Patrick 3, Turner, Dees); Moeller 4 (Walther 2, Gomez, Duncan).

•

.

Moeller 76, Sl Xavier 72

Walther saves Crusaders with 8 points in stretch A~t~!lt!~!l ··l: ~~:·

By Man Schmetier

turns to rematch with undefeated La Salle

~ 1 ..

Enquirer contributor

Ever since La Salle knocked off defending Division I state champion Moeller last month, this coming Friday's season-ending rematch has been the "Game of the Year."

St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf almost ripped the luster right off of it.

The junior guard erupted for a career-high 34 points against Moeller on Sunday, but the Crusaders got a clutch fourth-quarter performance from senior guard Bubba Walther for a 7&-72 win before a sellout crowd at St. Xavier's 1,700seat gymnasium.

Moeller (17-2, 1().1) remains one game behind La Salle in the Greater Catholic League South going into its game at Moeller on Friday.

The Lancers (18-0, 11-0) play Oak Hills in a non-league game on Tuesday.

After senior Josh Duncan made a free throw to give Moeller a 58-57 lead with 4:58 remaining, Walther scored eight of his 14 points during a 10-4 Crusader run that left them with a seven-point lead, 68-61, their largest of the game.

The Crusaders went S.for-12 from the free-throw line in the last 1:36 to make the lead stand up.

'We asked Bubba to run the team at the point, and he came up with some big baskets at the end," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

"Bubbadid what Bubbadoes best."

"I was frustrated in the first half," said Walther, who was averaging 14.2 points per game. "I wasn't making my shots. The coaches told me all week that, even if I don't score and the team wins, then I've done my job."

The first half featured eight lead changes and four ties before Wolf and junior guard Nicholas Leibold teamed up to personally produce an 8-0 run in the last 1:32 that left the Bombers with a 39-30 halftime lead.

Wolfs fourth and last 3-pointer of the game gave St. Xavier (13-5, fr4) its largest lead of the game, 4232, with 6:55 left in the third quarter.

"Johnny outdid himself today," Bombers coach Scott Martin said.

"He did everything for us. He was a

The Cincinnati Enquirer/CRAIG RUTILE

Moeller's Josh Duncan slam dunks over St. Xavier's Kyle Gibler Sunday. Duncan had 20 points in the Crusaders' 76-72 victory.

great team leader for us."

But the Bombers missed frof-9 free throws in the quarter, opening the door for Moeller's comeback.

Crusaders senior Andrew Brackman, who led Moeller with 29 points, converted a three-point play to complete the comeback and forge a 53-53 tie with 7:05left in the game.

"I think we found something out about ourselves in the second half that's going to carry us a long way," Kremer said. 'We learned that if we sit down and play good defense and play unselfish, we can overcome adversity and come back and win."

"For some reason, we didn't have the fire in our stomachs that we had last year," Walther said.

"Even after we lost to La Salle, we still didn't, but to come in here and beat our biggest rivals, that will give us confidence - real confidence."

MOELLEIII17·2, J.0.11- W•~er4 414, Du•ctn 59 20.

D:ek~rs 12 4. !r:.~r 0 2 4. W~tt 3 I 7, Bmtl:'"~" 9 1129.

Toll:'.: 22 29 76 ST. XAVIER (13-5, 6-41 - U:ctt 3 5 12. Wn" 9 12 34, Gclleoo II 4, D<:;-o 3 0 6. lr.>:td 2 0 5, G·o·e, 0 2 2.

Sctloer.•o't 2 0 4. TC:!i'O: 23 19 72 Moeller 20 10 20 26 -76

5L

Xavier----3-jl<)~oo::

19 20 14 19-72 M- 1':"'":-o• 2 CVM•. S- v:o·~ 4, Ll."d

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,

HIGHS

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

.:J/BjO'f Division I at Cintas Center

Crusaders continue march Explode for 37 · in third quarter

Moeller's Patrick Watt and Lakota West's Dane Romero battle for a loose ball Sunday during their Division I tournament game at Xavier's Cintas Center. Moeller won and will play Beavercreek Sunday.

By Ryan Ernst The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller, the defending boys basketball Division I state champion, used a 37-point outburst in the third quarter Sunday to pull away from Lakota West in the sectional final at Cintas Center and win 88-69.

After trailing for much of the first half, the Crusaders regained the lead with just under a minute remaining in the second quarter.

Ryan Trainor put back his own miss to put Moeller ahead 33-32, and it never trailed again.

The basket started what turned out to be a 40..10 run, lasting through the third quarter.

"In the first half, we got a little excited, and (Lakota West) did a great job," Moeller coach Carl Kremer . said." ... But in the second half, we did a better job and hit some shots.

We're a very explosive team because we have some great ath· letes."

No player showed more athleti· cism than Josh Duncan. The Xavier signee, playing at Cintas for the fourth time this season, led all scor· ers with 24 points, including 10 during the third quarter rally.

Halfway through the quarter, with Moeller threatening to push its lead to 20 points, Duncan had a steal, dunk and 3-pointer all within a 40-second span.

The Enquirer; STEVEN M. HERPPICH

Asked about his big performance in his future home arena, Duncan smiled.

"Yeah," he said; "I think Ilike the feel of this court."

Andrew Brackman helped pace · Moellerwith20pointsandeightrebounds.

Next, the Crusaders take on Beavercreek at 8:45 p.m. Sunday at Cititas Center.

LAKOTA WEST- Chichester2 0 4, Casper2 2 7, Romero 3 211, LaChapelle 6 416, Taylor 12 5, Bain 0 2 2, Smith 2 2 6, Hansford I 0 3, Gschwind 2 0 5, Rasor 0 II, Rathje 4 I 9.

Totals: 23 16 69.

MOD.LER- Walther 53 15, Childress 2 2 7, Ouncan 9 4 24, Wattl02, Brackman 6 720, Gomezl3 5, Dierl<ers408, Trainor I 0 2, Carter I 0 3, Jeunger I 0 2. Totals: 3119 88.

Lakota West ......................oooooooo• 15 17 13 24 -69 MoeHer oo•••···•-oooo•oooo•oo•-oo 12 22 · 37 17 -69 3's: L 7 (Casper, Romero 3, Taylor, Hansford, Gschwind); M 7 (Walther 2, Childress, Duncan 2, Brackman, Carter).

Oak Hills 68, Elder 44 The Highlanders opened the fourth quarter with a 23-5 run en route to the sectional title.

"In the fourth quarter, we just kept rushing them and they made too many fast decisions," Oak Hills coach Mike Price said. "And that helped us:• Oak Hills will face Hamilton at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cintas Center.

OAK HILLS -Smith 6 316, Ray4112, King3 3 9, Kramer 3 5 11, Schroeder 3 7 13, Metzger 0 I I, COrnelius I I 3, Weimer 113. Totals: 2122 68.

ELDER- Walters.5 2 13, Schuennan 113, Carey 2 I 6, Sander 2 I 5, Wood 2 15, O'Conner 2 0 5, Sommerl<amp 2 0 4, Bessler 0 2 2. Lucas 0 II. Totals: 16 9 44.

Oak HiHs ..-oo•oooo•-oooooooooo•oo••··.. 11 13 17 27 -69

Elder oo.........oo·•-oooo••-oo••••oooo•

9 16 10

9 -44

3-pointers· 0 4 (Ray 3, Smitll); E3 !Walters, Carey, O'COnner).

.1fi£~f'e I =q:e~e'::u: ~~ew:xu..

Moeller v . La· Salle: ' What do you say?· The last dance between Greater Catholic League rivals Moeller and La Salle is 8 p.m. Friday.

Give us your view on the outcome of what is probably the biggest game of the season. La Salle won the first big game. Who will win the biggest one? Which of the two teams is better? Share your thoughts in our online fail. . forum. ·-'

Keyword: preps

·

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No. 1La Salle loses top scorer The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sr. Orr's season ends with knee injury

Top-ranked La Salle was jarred Thursday by news that star forward Justin Orr will miss the rest of the·prep basketball season, including today's showdown at No. 2 Moeller (8 p.m.).

Orr, a 6-foot-6 senior who leads La Salle with an 18.4point scoring average, aggravated a nagging knee injury in Tuesday's 48-45 win over Oak Hills. Orr underwent an

MRI Thursd.ay and was told he will need surgery.

"He's always had a little problem in his knee where one of the bones· is not fully closed. It finally chipped or broke off in the Oak Hills game, and he's got to have surgery here soon," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said Thursday night.

Orr, nephew of former NBA player Louis Orr, said

By Tom Groeschen

he'll be on the bench tonight.

"I'll try to be there for my teammates," Orr said.

Orr's injury dramatically alters the area's Game of the Year, Part II. La Salle upset then-No. 1 Moeller 52-51 at La Salle on Jan. 23, on a 3point shot by Orr with seven seconds remaining.

La Salle (19-0, 11-0 Greater Catholic League South) enters tonighfs regular-season

the Crusaders also feeling deflated. ''We just feel horrible for the kid," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "Our sympathy and our prayers go out to him and his teammates."

Fleming said La Salle will pick itself up.

"We have 11 more guys who can step up, and we'll try to make Justin proud," he said.

finale No. 1 in both the state · and Enquirer Division I polls.

The Lancers have clinched a share of their first GCL title since the 1987-88 season.

Moeller (17-2, 10.1 GCL South) is ranked No.3 in the state and No. 2 in the Enquirer poll. The Crusaders, defending state champions, seek a share of the GCL E-mail tgroeschen @enquirerSouth title.

News of Orr's injury left .com

Inside • Ursuline volleyball coach retires to spend more time with growing family. C8 • Participation in state wrestling tournament will be decided this weekend. C8 • Roger Bacon, McNicholas have easy time in girls' basketball sectionals. C9 • Ursuline in position to win seventh swimming and diving district title in eight years after three divers place in top 5. C9

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

FN

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2004 85

Moeller 73, Mount Healthy 38

Crusaders. begin defense ·of state title XU-bound Duncan scores 19 on his future home court

By Alex Blumer Enquirer contributor

Moeller began its defense of the Division I state high school basketball title in dominating fashion Monday night.

The Crusaders, the Enquirer city champions and the No. 2-ranked team in Ohio, got 19 points from Josh Duncan as they pummeled Mount Healthy 73-38 in the first round of sectional play at Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University.

Moeller (19-2) never even approached the fate of its Greater Catholic League rival St. Xavier, which was upset by Colerain in its first sectional game last week.

"You can't take any team lightly," Duncan said. "You've got to play ev-

ery game like ifs your last, and tonight we did that."

The Crusaders overwhelmed Mount Healthy with their size and athleticism. Both were on display at 4:32 of the second quarter.

The 6-foot-9 Andrew Brackman intercepted a pass at rnidcourt and fed it to 6-3 Bubba Walther, who gave it right back to a cutting Brackman for the layup and a free throw that gave Moeller a 31-10 lead and essentially ended the game.

"I thought we played with great energy the whole game," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "We didn't let them dictate the tempo, which was the key."

Duncan scored, ei!zht of Moeller's first 12 points as the Crusaders jumped to a 16-3 lead.

Playing on his future home floor

halftime, either, outscoring Mount Healthy 16-4 in the third quarter.

For Moeller, Brackman had 12 points, nine in the first half.

The Division Ill girls' basketball Walther added 11 points, includsectional finals at Goshen have been ing a devastating crossover dribble drive in the decisive second quarter moved from from today to Wednesthat left his defender in a heap on day because of a conflict with the the floor .. scheduling of a boys' toumament Wand Newman led Mount game. On Wednesday, Madison will Healthy (2-19) with eight points. play Madeira in the upper bracket fiMoeller returns to Cintas Center nal at 6 p.m. and Mariemont will play to play 11th-seeded Lakota West at CHCA in the lower bracket final at 6 p.m. Sunday.

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"Our guys understand there's tremendous pressure on them," seemed agree with the Xavier- Kremer said." (But) I really believe bound senior, who hit three 3-point- our guys are on a crusade, no pun ers in the game. intended."

"We moved the ball around well, 12•19)- E. Johnson 0 2 2, Bnggs 3 0 6, which created open shots for us, GrantMT3 0HEALTHY 8, Newman 3 0 8, Abernathy I 0 2, Brunson 3 0 6, 02, Bttlups20 4, O.Smlth 102. Totals: 17 238. and we were hitting them," said Alexander!

MOElLER (19-2) - Walther 5 0 11, Childress 3 0 6, Duncan, who also led Moeller with Duncan 8 0 19, Watt3 0 6, Brackman 52 12, OleilleiS 2 0 4, .

Ca~er 0 2 2. Juenger 2 0 4, G. Brown 2 2 7, Farrell I 0 2. five rebounds.

Tota~: 31 6 73. ~1-!8 After a bit of a lnlJ th8t ~aw the MI. Htalltly........... 6 7 • Owls close to within 16-8, Moeller Moeller······-··· 18 26 16 2 15-73 ~ttnteiS:MOS(OuncanJ, Walther,Brown);MH (Newman Moeller's Andrew Brackman blocks the shot of Mount Healthy~s closed out the half on a 26-5 run.

Wand Newman Monday night at Cintas Center.

The Crusaders didn't let up after

G,oshen sectional finals on Wednesday

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Moeller set for district rematch with Beavercreek 3jro/t4

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By George Schutte Sports Editor

Moeller's depth and athleticism showed again Sunday afternoon with an 88-69 victory over Lakota West in the Division I sectional tournament at Xavier University's Cintas Center. · Moeller, which trailed most of the first half, used a 37 -point third quarter to take control of the game for good.

The next obstacle for the Crusaders, who are looking for a second consecutive state title, is Beavercreek (20-3) at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the Cintas Center.

Moeller met Beavercreek last year in the same game and won 57-52. The turning point in that game came when the Crusaders erupted for a 17-0 run in a span of2:20 in the second half. r. In Moeller's previous st~te

owdale. With the Beavers either taking the lead early or pulling away at the end uf each contest.

The offense for the Beavers revolves around Jerome Tillman, a 6-6 junior who averages 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds a game, but several players are capable of scoring in double figures on any given night.

Leading that group is Brian Busch who contributes 14.9 points a game.

Moeller counters with the BEN WALPOLE/STAFF same core of players that led it Andrew Brackman goes up for a to the state title last year in sen-

shot against Lakota West.

iors Josh Duncan, Andrew Brackman and Bubba Walther.

The trio of senio~ have led Moeller to a 20-2 record and each is capable of changing the outcome of a game.

Against Lakota West it was Duncan. The senior forward scored 10 points in the third quarter and in one 40 second span had a traditional3-pointer, steal and 3-pointer, to push the lead to 20-points. gschutte@communHypress.com 513-248-7570

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Cir:cim:ati E11quircr

The absence of injured La Salle star Justin Orr could radically affect both sides in tonighfs big La Salle-Moeller basketball game, with ramifications well beyond this one game.

The Associated Press and Enquirer Division I poll championships are both on the line tonight, not to mention the Greater Catholic League South TI!J!Gfi~ 8 p.m. championship.

Rl!!l!o: \'/BOB- And with news AM (1160).

Thursday that Orr will miss the rest uf ~'lc~ season with a knee bh.1~\ , many "what-ifs" could be the lcga· cy of the 20:>3-04 season.

La Salle (19-0, 11-0 Greater Catholic League South) is ranked No. 1 in both the Enq:!irer and state Division I polls, and upset Moeller 5251 at La Salle on Jan. 23. Moeller (17-2, 10-1 GCLS) is ranked No.2 in the EnqHirer poll and No.3 in the state. It's the final game of the regular s~ason, with La Salle trying to win the league title outright and Moeller seeking a tie.

If Moeller wins at its sold-<>ut gym, the Crusaders know many will say, "Vlell, Orrdidn'tplay."Beyond that, postseason brackets leave the possibility La Salle and Moeller could meet in the Division I state championship game next month. Without Orr, chances of that matchup seem greatly reduced.

And if Moeller wins the state, the Crusaders again might hear, ''\Vhat if Orr had played?"

Vl1thout Orr's 18A points per game, La Salle is left with a scoring void. La Salle has no other player averaging even half of Orr's scoring norm, and Orr also was the team's top rebounder at 6.4 per game.

"Everybody else has got to step up," Orr said. "I'll be with my teammates the whole way."

Moeller coach Carl Kremer said his team would rather play La Salle with both teams at full strength.

'We kno,·; they're a program with great pride, and we'll prepare to play as if he (Orr) were there," Kremer said. "I know our team is really ready to play."

Before learning of Orr's injury, Moeller suggested it was time for some payback.

"I'm not going to call it revenge, but we've p,ot ;10mcthing to give 11em," Andrew Brackman, :.1oel.er's standout senior forvmd, said

Trier Dlor'ncro (rf~lt) llml No.2 r:.oc!lcr will try to reject Zach Welter (left) and topranked La Salle's bid for a second win against the Crusaders this season.

earlier this week. "We didn't handle the pressure right the last time, in a harsh environment. But I think it built our character."

Orr or no, many still believed Moeller - the defending state champion - remained the team to beat The Crusaders' "Big Three" seniors of Brackman (signed with North Carolina State), 6-8 forward Josh Duncan (Xavier) and 6-3 guard Bubba Walther (Akron) combine to average nearly 50 points.

Moeller's only other loss was to USA Today's No. 1-ranked team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.). Before the first La Salle game, Moeller was being hailed as one of the greatest teams in city history.

La Salle, meantime, has one major Division I college recruit in Orr. Orr recently said he would commit to Miami University but later backed off, and remains open on his choice.

Beyond Orr, several Lancers players including Colin Flynn (13

points vs. Moeller last time), Ray Ruberg, Mike Wiegele, Darenn Mansoor and Zach Welter are capable of double-figure scoring nights. But all average under 10 points per game.

"It's going to be a hostile environment at Moeller, and we fully expect that," La Salle coach Dan F1eming said. "We just need to guard them, and if we can get out of there with another one-point win, we'll be happy."

Last time, La Salle's pressure defense caused 19 Moeller tumovers, while the Lancers commit· ted only nine turnovers. La Salle lacks the offensive firepower of Moeller and again wants to limit Moeller's field-goal opportunities, having restricted Moeller to just 27 field-goal attempts (La Salle attempted 57) in their first meeting.

Moeller has more size, with four players standing 6-foot-8 or taller.

But La Salle isn't small, ,yjth five players standing at least 6-5. Last

time, Moeller held a 34-30 rebounding edge.

"We have to slow down their Big Three and rebound the ball," F1eming said. "Even though we got outrebounded last time, the tumovers made a big difference."

Kremer said his team must protect the ball and make shots.

'We have to defend the 3-pointer and rebound the basketball," Kremer said. 'We have to make the most of our offensive opportunities."

Also tonight ~ In the Greater Miami Conference, No. 3-ranked Hamilton (17-2, 14-1 GMC) visits No.4 Princeton (also 17-2, 14-1) for the league title.

'When's the last time the No.1 teamplayedXo. 2andNo. 3played No. 4 on the final night of the season?" Princeton athletic director Scott Kaufman said. ''\'\nat a night"

Moeller 55, Beavercreek 53

With Moeller on ropes, Duncan takes command Leads Crusaders wi~h 27 points '.

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By Tom Groeschen Tile Cincimzati E1zqzlirer

Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan scored 27 points and the Crusaders lived to defend their Division I boys' basketball state title Saturday night, with a tough 55-53 win over underdog Beavercreek.

The win, before about 5,000 fans at Xavier's Cintas Center, sends Moeller to the regional semifinals vs. Columbus Mifflin on Thursday (7 p.m.) at Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum. Moeller is two games from again reaching the Final Four, where Duncan was tournament lVlVP last season.

"I thought] osh had a look in his eye that he wasn't going to let us :ose," Moeller coach Carl Kremer wd.

Duncan confirmed that.

"I was going to do everything possible to win this game for my ream," he said. "Being Moeller. ve'rc al¥.'llys going to get every:ne's best game. " Moeller senior forward Andrew 3rackman scored the dech>ive basket, a lay-in with 47.7 seconds left that gave the Crusaders a 55-53 lf"ad. Brackman had 14 point<>.

Duncan's 27 poinl'> included 19(J::-21 free throws, including 9-for-9 i:: the fourth quarter. With the trame tight throughout, Duncan s..ared Moeller's first 11 points of the fourth quarter to keep the Crusaders either ahead or close.

Duncan also had nine rt•bounds, pacing Moeller to a 29-13 edge on tt: boards.

In the end. Beavercreek 6-foot-6 stu forward ]t:romc Tillman (21 po nts) went one-on-one vs. Mod· le:-'s 6-8 Tyler Dierkt•rs in an atte:clpt to win tht: game.

Tillman. dribbling away most of the final 20 seconds. finally lofted a 3-pJinter from the top of the key wi':J about 4 seconds remaining.

The ball kicked off the right side of the rim. and Moeller cleared the n.•bmmd and began celebrating. The Crusaders rushed the court to congrc.mlate each other, then cut down the net'> in a district finals tradition. ' J wasn't a work of art, but in the dist:ict, the only issue is survival," Krt·:ner said. 'There are only 16 teams left: that's all that matters." !v~oeller was out-shot 56 percent to .;-~ pPrcent from the floor, but held a 27·13 ('dge at the foul !inc.

1.1oeller took 36 foul shots and Bea·

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Moeller's Bubba Walther, who scored nine points Saturday, passes over Jeremy Fruhwirth of Beavercreek in the Division I district championship game at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

vercreek 20.

Moeller's offensive rebounding was key to the foul differential, as the Crusaders were hacked many times on follow shots. Moeller held a 17·2 edge in second-chance points, with the team's e>..1reme height (four players 6-foot-7 or tall· er) coming into play as usual. :\!1oeller has opted to go through a Columbus regional. with Greater

Catholic League South rival La Salle going through Dayton.

Should Moeller and La Salle both win out, tltey'd meet in the state finals :\1arch 27.

Moeller was ranked ~o. 2 in the final Associated Press poll of tht• regular season, while Beavercreek was unrankcd.

Moeller's win over Beavcrcred• could be a good omt~n. ThL Crusad1

en; ousted Bcavcrcn:ek in tlw re· gional finals in 1999 and in tlw dis· triti:s in 2003, thL•n won the ~taw title each time. :a

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BASKETBALL No.1 Moeller

takes court today The Moeller Crusaders will begin defense of their Division I state championship today when they meet Mount Healthy in a sectional opener at :XU's Cintas Center. Moeller was No. 1 in The Enquirer's final coaches' poll, but is seeded No. 2 behind La Salle, which has lost ~tar Justin Orr to injury.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Basketball teams to be honored Cincinnati vice mayor Alicia Reece will honor the Taft and Moeller basketball teams today at 2 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers. Moeller won the 2003-04 Enquirer Division I boys' basketball coaches' poll championship, and Taft won the Divisions IIIV poll title. ~I&Siti>'l ¡

Moeller 74, La Salle bl.

Crusaders knock off top-ranked Lancers

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

La Salle's Darenn Mansoor is pressured by Moeller's Andrew Gomez on Friday night.

Moeller avenges earlier ·defeat to Orr-less La Salle 3-/Gt/D'f

By Tom Groesehen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller got 30 points from senior forward Andrew Brackman and La Salle could not overcome the absence of injured star Justin Orr, as the Crusaders won 74-61 at Moeller on Friday night.

La Salle, 19-0 and ranked No. 1 in both the Enquirer and Associated Press Division I state polls, learned Thursday that Orr - its top scorer at 18.4 points per game - would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Moeller, 17-2 and ranked No.2 by the Enquirer and No. 3 in the state, rolled to a 21-point lead in the second quarter (40-19) and cruised from there.

The Crusaders forged a tie with La Salle for the Greater Catholic League South title, both teams finishing 11-1 as the league closed down the regular season.

"Most people thought we'd beat them by 20 without Orr, but we knew they were more than a one-man team," Moeller senior guard Bubba Walther said. "We knew how tough they were. Any time you beat the No.1 team in the state, you know you've done something."

But it wasn't the same Lancer team that upset then-No. 1 Moeller 52-51 at La Salle on Jan. 23.

Without S.foot-6 forward Orr, La Salle has no other player averaging at least 10 points per game.

La Salle played a smart, patient game and worked the ball well offensively.

Lancers forward Zach Welter scored 19 points, forward Colin F1ynn had 12 and guard Darenn Mansoor scored 10, but La Salle couldn't match the offensive might of Moeller.

Moeller's so-called "Big Three" of Brackman (30 points, eight rebounds), S.8forwardJosh Duncan (18 points, seven rebounds) and point guard Walther (13 points, six rebounds, seven assists) combined for 61 ooints after

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Andrew Brackman, who scored 30 points, sinks areverse layup in the second quarter of Friday's win over La Salle.

just 38 in the first La Salle game.

Moeller, with four players at least S.foot-8, had too much size for a La Salle team with only one player as tall as 6-6.

'They killed us on the boards (45-26), and we dug ourselves a big hole there in the second quarter," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "But I was proud of how we fought back, and the fact that we won the second half."

La Salle outscored Moeller 3834 after halftime and was as close as 10 points with 2:45 left, but a barrage of 3-pointers (La Salle made 12 to Moeller's two) wasn't enough to chip the lead under double figures.

Moeller coach Carl Kremer saluted La Salle's effort, coming before a oro-Moeller crowd on the

Crusaders' senior night.

"We were pretty close to knocking them out there in the second quarter, and they hung in there," Kremer said. 'To their credit, they played us tough."

Moeller's win throws the state and Enquirer polls into some doubt. The final voting for both will be conducted over the next few days, with results announced next week.

La SAllE 11&-1, U·1 GCL.SI · Mansoor 3 2 10; WiegJe 3 0 9; f~n 3 3 12; Welter 8 2 19; Dooros 0 55; Teepe 3 0 6. Totals: 20 12 61.

MO£lilJI 1111-2, U·l GCL·SI - Wallher 3 6 13; Duncan 58 18; Dierl<ers 2 0 4; Trainor I 0 2; Watt 113; Brackman II 7 30: Stovall2 0 4. Totals. 25 22 74.

La Salle ·····- 14 9 20 18 -61

--···-·-···-·······-· 18 22 16 18-74 3-pointers: ll2(WiegJe3,Fiynn 3.Mansoor2. Welter). M 2 (Brackman, Walthe~.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Defending champ Moeller opens with convincing victory' The Moeller Crusaders opened defense of their Division I state basketball championship with an easy 73-38 victory over Mount Healthy at XU's Cintas Center Monday night.

Josh Duncan, who will play his college ball

for Xavier next season, scored 13 points in the first half and finished with 19. Moeller plays Lakota West, a 60-48 winner over Wilmington, at 6 p.m. Sunday, also at Cintas Center.

Story, 85

All-Ohio boys basketball COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)- The 2003-2004 Associated Press Division I boys All-OhiO high school basketball team, based on the recommendations of a state media panel: DIVISION I

LOCAL PlAYERS

FIRST TEAM: Andrew Brackman, Moeller, 691/2, sr., 19.7 points per game. Players of the year: Brian Roberts, Tol. St John's: Jamelle COmley, Cols.

Brookhaven; Andrew Brackman. Moeller.

Coaches of the year: limy Allen, Hamilton . . SECOND TEAM: Jusnn Orr, La Salle, 6-6, sr.. 17.3; Josh Duncan, Moeller, 6-B, sr., 16.1.

Honorable M Johnny Wolf, St Xavier, Adam Myers-White, Hamilton; Mark Dorris, Princeton.

DIVISION II LOCAL PlAYERS FIRST TEAM: Kevin Weybrtght, Wyoming, 6-6, sr., 23.0 points per game THIRD TEAM: Deandre Byrd, Taft, 6-1, jr.,16.0.

Special~

Dante Jackson. Greenfield McClain.

Honorable~

Billy Finnell, Purcell Manan: Brian Hangbers, Edgewood; Mark Hawkins, Finneytown; Will Norwell, Turpin.

Crusaders won't be satisfied without title 3/1 'l/6'{-

By George ~chutte Sports Editor

The last two times Moeller had to beat Beavercreek in the district finals, they won the Division I state basketball title (1999, 2003). Each time it has been a different player who has stepped up for the Crusaders.

"We've been blessed over the last few years," coach Carl Kremer said. "In that we've always had someone step up and play in an extraordinary way in a big game. You expect that from your seniors, this is their time."

The same will be expected from this years squad as well.

Against ¡ a determined Beavercreek team in the district finals, Josh Duncan took over in the fourth quarter.

Duncan scored Moeller's first 11 points of the quarter and converted nine of nine free throws, in the quarter, to seal the 55-53 win.

"I thought Josh was overlooked at the end of this year for postseason awards," Kremer said. "Josh has always

great players," Kremer said.

"They',re a big team who is very aggressive."

Mifflin starts a lineup that rivals Moeller's in size with four players who are at least 6foot-4. Mifflin comes into the bout with a 22-2 record.

Even with the district title, Moeller's goal remains the same.

"The state title is what we've been driven by," Kremer said. "We were pleased to win sectional and district and a share of <lur league, but ultimately, we've never kidded GEORGE SCHUTIE/.STAFF ourselves. We want to be the The Crusaders celebraie their second straight district title over first team in 30 years to be Beavercreek with their fa~. back to back state champs."

Should Moeller advance been a leader, he's .taken this play hard and are well past Mifflin they would face Kremer said. ' potential matchups against team on his back. I thought coached," his will and determination "Hopefully it's a good thing we was exceptional on Saturday." faced them. Each time we've Columbus Brookhaven, the While others may have won state, they've been a part team who they defeated 73-65 last year for the title, and been surprised by how close of it." the Beavers played Moeller, ¡ The next task for the Cru- could face Greater Catholic the game unfolded sHnilar to saders will be Columbus Mif- .League rival La Salle in the what Kremer had expected. flin on Thursday at 7 p.m. at state final. gschutte@communitypress.com "We were worried about the Columbus Fairgrounds.

513-248-7570 "They've got a couple of facing them on Saturday. They

Crusaders come ~~j~,9,~ aga!nst Brookhaven ~(George Schutte ~/z..'-;j c.f

Sports Editor

GEORGE SCHUTIE/STAFF

Ryan Childress powers past two Brookhaven defenders in the regional finals against Columbus Brookhaven at the Columbus Fairgrounds. ¡

The highest ranked team remaining in the Division I boys basketball tournament, Moeller was eliminated 52-48

by Columbus Brookhaven (232).

The Crusaders defeated Brookhaven 73-65 in the state finals last year in the state finals. Brookhaven will be making their fourth straight appearance in the state final four.

Moeller started off in a hole, trailing 13-2 early in the first quarter before battling back to take a 38-32 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

At that point, the goat oflast year's state title game for Brookhaven, Denzel Lyles took over, making two 3-pointers and three o~ four foul shots to win the game.

Moeller finished their season with a 22-3 record, with the other losses coming against league rival La Salle and national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy.

The Crusaders graduate seven players, including starters Andrew Brackman, Xavier University signee Josh Duncan, and Bubba Walther.

Returning next year for the Crusaders are 6-foot- 7 junior forwards Tyler Dierkers and Ryan qrndress alongwithjunior starting guard Patrick Watt.

Sophomore guard Andrew Gomez logged significant playing time throughout the season and the tournament.

The loss of Duncan, BrackGEORGE SCHUTIE/STAFF man and Walther will leave large hole, but as is often the Josh Duncan goes up for a layup case, Moeller will reload with against Columbus Brookhaven. talent already on the roster arid will look to contend for another league title last year.

Moeller tied La Salle for the Greater Catholic League championship 'this season, with both teams winning on their home courts. Moeller has won at least a share of the league title eight of the last 12 years.

,

gschutte@communitypress.com ' 248-7570

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

'-/l-7/olj Afinal look at boys' high school basketball statistics

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Name, School

Pb Avg.

Mayo, N. College Hill Hangbers, Edgewood Dews, lakota East Kir1<endoll, Stebbins Weybright, Wyoming Chappell, Northwest Goodman, Colerain Pritchard, lebanon Nelson, Shrader Gapel, Heritage Tieman, Summit Knight, With row Plunkett, Grant County Monk, Goshen Beucler, East Brown Snell, l.andmar1< Brackman, Moeller Patzwald, Anderson Hawkins, Finneytown Brown, Mariemont Richburg, Mason Graves, Hughes Meade, North Adams Bidwell, Fenwick Cuny, Clar1< Mntssn Orr, LaSalle Searp, Newpo~ Wolf, St. Xavier Mendenhall, Batavia Johnson, Campbell Co. Dow, Fairborn Krebs, Newpo~ CC Hollingsworth, Wlmngtn Mount, Lynchburg-Clay LaChapelle, lakota West Houchin, Harrison Ray, Oak Hills Norwell. Turpin Duncan, Moeller Hams, Lockland Dean, Manchester Wight, Bellevue McKeehan, Uttle Miami Bounds, Grant County Finnell, Purcell Marian Byrd, Taft Sander, Elder Ayers, Deer Par1< Briggs, Mt. Healthy Duncan, New Richmond Brown, Cham.-Julienne Rasso, Boone County Anders, East Clinton Fa~ey, Lockland Dorris, Princeton Gray, Taft Copas, North Adams Bohl, Whiteoak Leever, Loveland Overbee, Franklin Philpot, Christ. Center Bamha~. Springboro Owens, Mason Whipp, Waynesville Spencer, Carroll Howard, Ripley Bumett, Aiken Runk, East Clinton McCiearin, Carroll Russ, Huglles Be~er, Reading Stewart. Cin. Trail Wallace, Bethel-Tate Robinson, Middletown Owens, Mason Dugger, leesburg Keiser, East Central Edmondson, S. Kenton Robe~n. leesburg MacFa~and, Amelia Kleckner, East Central lngstrup, Loveland Patrick, Cham.-Julienne Frahm. West Carrollton Walther, Moeller Ramsey, Loveland West, Milford Lykins, Fayetteville Hom, Cin. Christian Ruhl, Fairfield Pike, Reading McMonigle, New Rich.

Bibbins, Holy Cross Kimmey, Sycamore Thombeny, Bellevue Zimmenman, Newpo~ CC Buckner, Milford Fultz, Ripley Allen, Cin.Trail Davis, Middletown lmpellizzen, Anderson Johnson, Aiken Haarman, Roger Bacon Simpson, Amelia White, Winton Woods Glenn, Bellevue Daniels, Beechwood l.ageman, St Henry Smith, ceo Morin, Princeton Mason, Deer Par1<¡ Acoff, Walnut Hills Huffman, Fairborn Byers, Heritage Miller, Franklin Sogard, Fairborn Runyon, Glenmont NE Shoemaker, Anderson Tannreuther, L.-Monroe Foster, Bethel-Tate Freshwater, Alter Graves. CCD

617 480 447 444 454 450 431 361 415 519 373 410 492 3B8 406 398 374 393 331 386 251 287 3B1 296 331 331 400 340 355 400 296 432 346 344 342 306 338 327 305 274 306 368 318 348 314 313 235 280 280 234 293 366 305 260 306 303 304 303 301 301 255 285 297 251 251 296 250 293 249 205 263 233 291 102 190 289 274 329 286 269 268 268 268 268 264 236 278 278 274 274 246 269 256 269 227 335 266 264 197 236 260 207 232 246 256 295 191 305 216 253 239 226 212 310 248 210 245 245 222 244 219 206

30.9 24.0 23.5 23.4 22.7 22.5 21.6 21.2 20.B 20.B 20.7 20.5 20.5 20.4 20.3 19.9 19.7 19.7 19.5 19.3 19.3 19.1 19.1 18.5 18.4 1B.4 18.2 17.9 17.8 17.4 17.4 17.3 17.3 17.3 17.1 17.0 16.9 16.4 16.1 16.1 16.1 16.0 15.9 15.8 15.7 15.7 15.7 15.6 15.6 15.6 15.4 15.3 15.3 15.3 15.3 15.2 15.2 15.2 15.1 15.1 15.0 15.0 14.9 14.8 14.8 14.8 14.7 14.7 14.7 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.6 14.5 14.4 14.3 14.3 14.2 14.1 14.1 14.1 14.1 13.9 13.9 13.9 13.9 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.4 13.4 13.3 13.2 13.1 13.1 13.0 12.9 12.9 12.9 12.8 12.8 12.7 12.7 12.7 12.7 12.6 12.6 12.5 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.3 12.3 12.3 12.2 12.2 12.1

Rebounds Name, School

Reb Avg.

Brown, Mariemont Briggs, Mt Healthy Knight, Withrow Rasso, Boone County

304 211 232 275

15.2 11.7 11.6 11.5

(Stats through Wednesday) Byrd, Taft Rosser, Landmark Weybrlgllt, Wyoming Duncan, New Rich.

Huffman, Fahbom Blanchard, Taft Tieman, Summit Wynn, Winton Woods Smith, ceo Hangbers, Edgewood Kir1<endoll, Stebbins Donald, Taft Norwell, Turpin Chappell, Northwest Gibbs, Clar1< Montessori Dugger, leesburg Ramsey, Loveland Foster, Bethel-Tate Anders, East Clinton Daniels, Beechwood Capel, Heritage Cheatham, Shrader Morin, Princeton Mendenhall, Batavia Mayo, N. College Hill Bounds, Grant County Kibler, Whiteoak Pike, Reading Jones, Shrader Runyon, Clermont NE Russ, Huglles Shoemaker, Anderson Chichester, lakota West Barnhart. Springboro Cowgill, Cin. Trail Walker, Glen Este Brown, Deer Park Hosler, Clermont NE McMonigle, New Rich.

Farley, Lockland Welhrauch, Stebbins Thomas, Newpo~ Pritchard, Lebanon Knapp, Edgewood Hickson, Clar1< Mntssri Totten, Cincy Christian Brown, Ch.-Julienne Hauck, Eastern Brown Smith, Waynesville Evans, N. College Hill Allen, Cincinnati Trail Miller, Hamitton Davis, Ripley Mason, Deer Par1< McDole, Bishop Brossa~ Graves, Hughes Maricle, Beechwood Walden, Shrader Burnett, Aiken Ellison, Walnut Hills Howard, Ripley LaChapelle, lakota West Reed, Talawanda Meade, North Adams Johnson, Aiken Wiihite, N. College Hill Tabor, Seven Hills Hollingsworth, Wlmngtn Hams, Lockland Cook, St. Henry Salerno, Milford Duncan, Moeller Muntzinger, W. Crrtltn Kaer, Franklin Tannreuther, L-Monroe Rodarmel, N. Coli. Htll Becker, Campbel! Co. Newman, Mt. Healthy Wenker, Amelia Spencer, Carroll Hawkins, Finneytown Fultz, Ripley Cometet, Campbell Co. Dorris, Princeton Smith, Talawanda Beucler, Eastem Brown Medley, l.andmar1< Owens, Mason Williams, Hamilton Orr, LaSalle Mount, Lynch.-Ciay

228 224 213 161 178 187 186 202 172 200 190 1B8 196 156 116 194 161 190 1B5 13B 231 184 1B4 182 182 196 172 153 169 168 118 167 166 157 131 153 160 160 157 135 148 170 131 150 135 150 143 150 125 125 111 148 140 139 190 109 143 135 121 127 141 140 139 13S 111 111 138 138 118 144 137 132 131 136 122 134 160 133 128 114 113 131 155 129 130 130 116 127 128 115 127

11.4 11.2 10.7 10.7 10.5 10.4 10.3 10.1 10.1 10.0 10.0 9.9 9.8 9.B 9.7 9.7 9.5 9.5 9.3 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.1 9.1 8.9 8.6 8.5 8.5 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.3 8.3 8.2 B.1 8.0 B.O 7.9 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.7 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.2 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.8 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4

Assists Name, School

Asl Avg.

McFarland, Boone Co. Scott, Hughes Mayo, N. College Hill Byrd, Taft Fultz, Ripley Patterson, East Clinton Jolson, Wyoming Sallee, lakota East Semple, North Adams Jones, Clermont NE Walther, Moeller Kreke, Fenwick Miller, Franklin Bibbins, Holy Cross Hammons, Lebanon Richburg, Mason Romero, lakota West Patzwald, Anderson Star1<ey, Wilmington Rauch, East Central Pater, Badin Nelson, Shrader Jefferson, Holmes Finnell, Purcell Marian Gillette, West Carroltton Kelley, Springboro Zlmmenman, Newpo~ CC Leever, Loveland Glenn, Newpo~ Stidham, Reading Snell, Landmar1< lewis, East Central Gray, Taft Pritchard, Lebanon McGuffey, l.andmar1< Graves, CCD Slonim, Turpin Mastin, Fayetteville Under, Finneytown

196 122 158 142 139 129 128 122 128 118 106 79 111 103 90 103 95 100 98 92 84 89 100 85 82 82 104 84 91 72 78 74

77 67 76 65 75 76 59

8.2 8.1 7.9 7.1 7.0 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.4 5.9 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.5 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.7

Heaton, Kings Edgington, Wyoming Noetzel, St. Henry Lampley, Hamilton Kimmey, Sycamore Anderson, Goshen Kaer, Franklin Allenspach, Miamisburg White, Campbell Co. Plunkett, Grant County Greaves, Withrow Myers-White, Hamilton Mc\l<!y, Utile Miami Wolf, St. Xavier Burnett, Aiken Wight, Bellevue Searp, Newpo~ Veil, Anderson Beucler, Eastern Brown Bohl, Whiteoak Testenman, Kings Root, Edgewood McDonald, Fenwick Shutts, Waynesville Donald, Taft Pritchard, Bethel-Tate Hotopp, Hamson Roesch. Badin Dow, Fairborn Welhrauch, Stebbins Mount, Lynchburg-Clay Moore, North Adams Houchin, Hanison Barber, Western Brown Felix, Bethel-Tate Holman, New Richmond Glover, N. College Hill Brown, Mariemont Faris, Batavia Johnson, Campbell Co. Duncan, New Richmond Roundtree, N. Coli. Hill Ponder, Edgewood White, Winton Woods Mason, Deer Park Allen, Cin. Trail Meininger, Summit lngstrup, Loveland Tensing, Mt. Healthy Higgins, Withrow Riazzi, Alter Kirkendoll, Stebbins Hamm. Manchester Wilson, Shrader Gibson, Lockland Dean, Shrader Salone, Walnut Hills Young, New Richmond Wallace, Bethel-Tate Dorris, Princeton lngstrup, Loveland Acoff, Walnut Hills McCarthy, Norwood Copas, North Adams Hom, Cin. Christian Price, Batavia Becker, Campbell Co. Glenn, Bellevue Dyment, McNtcholas Haynes, Harrison James, Spnngboro Gosche, East. Brown Hunt, Whiteoak Harper, Peebles Kleckner, East Cen!ral Schnee, Kings Pleasant, Northwest Whipp, Waynesville Ramsey, Holmes Moore, Bellevue Fitzpatrick, Colerain Kerss, Glen Este K. Young, Ross S. Young, Ross

56 44 87 73 73 6B 72 71 85

63 70 69 69 64 57 7B 75 68 68 67 49 65 53 54 60 54 57 57 55 60 63 60 56 62 61 62 62 61 61 68 45 57 60 58 55 44 40 53 50 58 53 55 52 56 47 45 51 55 56 55 54 45 54 56 54 54 64 62 46 48 51 54 51 49 50 39 42 45 57 59 39 50 52 52

3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6

Steals Name, School Byrd, Taft Mayo, N. College Hill Barber, Western Brown Burnett, Aiken Cuny, Clar1< Montessori lmpellizzeri, Anderson Hailey, Colonel White Gray, Taft Semple, North Adams Donald, Taft Burnett, Taft Glenn, Bellevue Foster, Bethel-Tate Nelson, Shrader Jones, Glenmont NE Lykins, Fayetteville Finnell, Purcell Marian Hom, Cin. Christian Stowers, Simon Kenton Walther, Moeller Dow, Fairborn Hawkins, Finneytown Frahm, WeSt Carrollton Jefferson, Holmes McFa~and, Boone Co. Wyly, Clar1< Montesso~ Richburg, Mason Kuntz, Western Brown Chappell, Northwest Monk, Goshen Fultz, Ripley Glover, N. College Hill Whipp, Waynesville Freshwater, Alter Mastin, Fayetteville McGuffey, l.andmar1< Snell, l.andmar1< Cooper, Aiken Metz, Clar1< Montessori Bidwell, Fenwick Bohl, Whiteoak Thomas, West Brown Shaver, Mariemont Greaves, Withrow Noetzel, St. Henry Miller, Hamilton

SU Avg. 1.27 108 99 80

6.4 5.4 5.0 4.7 63 4.6 84 4.2 24 4.0 78 3.9 76 3.8 70 3.7 73 3.7 85 3.7 71 3.6 67 3.4 63 3.2 63 3.2 62 3.1 62 3.1 25 3.1 58 3.1 52 3.1 51 3.0 56 3.0 64 2.9 67 2.8 51 2.8 56 2.8 55 2.8 44 2.8 50 2.8 56 2.8 53 2.7 46 2.7 49 2.7 53 2.7 51 2.6 52 2.6 29 2.6 44 2.6 41 2.6 52 2.6 50 2.5 28 2.5 49 2.5 61 2.5 49 2.5

•

Moeller 94, Col. Mifflin 5I, Div. I regional semifinal

Walther gets Big Moe going Out,sid~

shot opens inside game

3f!Cf '!!}

By Tom Groe chen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - Don't mess with Moeller.

The Crusaders emphatically sent that message here Thursday night, with a 94-51 stomping of Columbus Mifflin in the Division I boys' regional semifinals at Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Defending state champion Moeller was out to prove a point, following a narrow 55-53 win over Beavercreek in the district finals last Saturday.

"Some people questioned us after a close game against Beavercreek," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I told our guys that it's never as hard or as easy as it looks." .

Moeller, led by senior guard Bubba Walther's season-high 31 points, advances to the regional finals vs. Columbus Brookhaven on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at Fairgrounds Coliseum. The winner · advances to the state Final Four next Friday.

Moeller, playing Thursday in a cavernous old building nicknamed "The Barn" on the Ohio state fairgrounds, initially shot poorly and threw the ball away against Mifflin's withering fullcourt press.

The shooting background can be hard. on newcomers to The Bam, with the end zone seats sitting about 50 feet behind the backboards. ( But with Walther hot early, Moeller broke away from a 15-14 first quarter to lead 41-25 by halftime.

Walther scored 21 points in the first half, and hit 5-of-7 3point shots overall. His shooting brought Mifflin out of its zone defense, and enabled taller Moeller to eat up the Punchers' man-to-man.

'The shooting background was kind oftough, but I started to like it after a while," Walther said. "Whatever it takes, we just want to keep winning."

Senior forward Josh Duncan added 17 points for Moeller, senior forward Andrew Brackman scored 12, and junior forward Ryan Childress had 10 points and 11 rebounds. · <: Mifflin, a rttn.ning, pressing. ·:.team that had scored over 100

The Enquirer/ERNEST COLEMAN

Moeller's Bubba Walther (4) was the Crusaders' inspirational and scoring leader Thursday.

He had 31 points.

points three times this season, eventually was undone by Moeller's size and its own breakdown of discipline.

Mifflin was called for three technical fouls in the second half as the game got out of hand.

"We practiced Blue team against Gold in practice, and the Gold team had eight guys to sim' ulate their pressure," Brackmap said. "It really got us ready." , Mifflin coach Gene Casliil. said his team hoped to make Moeller misfire from long range and blockade the middle against Moeller's big men. Walther shot thatdown. · "We didn't get into the kind of game we wanted," Caslin said.

'That's the best ball team we've played all year. They played with the poise of a champion, and you can see why they won the state last year."

Moeller now gets a rematch with Brookhaven. Moeller upset then-No. 1 Brookhaven in the state finals · last season. This year, Brookhaven is 23-2 and ranked No. 5 in the final Associated Press poll of the regular season. Moeller was No.2 in the final state poll.

COLUMBUS MIFFUN (20-41- Ballard 8118; Allen 408; Patterson 13 5;Jackson0 11; Boyd 5 212; Po~er2 1 5; Baldwin 1 0 2. Totals: 218 51.

MOELLER 122·21 -Walther 10 6 31; Childress 4 2 10; Duncan 4 9 17; Watt 2 0 4; Brackman 2 8 12; Gomez 22 7; Dierkers 13 5; Stovall102; Ca~er022; Farrell20 4. Totals: 28 32 94.

Col. Mifflin Moeller

14 15

11 26

17 25

0 28

-51 -94

3-pointers: CM 1 (Ballard), M 6 (Walther 5, Gomez).

Div. I Columbus Regional At Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus Wednesday's semifinal result • Cols. Brookhaven 52, Dublin Coffman 41 Thursday's semifinal result • Moeller94, Cols. Mifflin 51 Saturday's championship • Cols. Brookhaven (24-2) vs. Moeller (22-2), 7:30 p.m.

The Cincinnati Enqui

COLEMAN

Moeller's Patrick Watt is tripped up as he . . .

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

~ IÂŁ ,, ~

v

Division I regional final, Brookhaven 52, Moeller 48

Brookhaven returns favor Was beaten in final last year

By Colleen Kane The Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - Moeller had the makings to make its next step toward defending its state championship Saturday night But Brookhaven had the motivation.

Brookhaven avenged its 2003 state championship defeat to Moeller with a 52-48 win over the Crusaders at the Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Brookhaven advances to next week's Division I Final Four.

Moeller ends its season 21-3 and loses seven players to graduation.

'They're heartbroken in there.

I've never seen a locker room like that before. I don't even know how we're going to get out of here tonight," Moeller head coach Carl Kremer said. "But no blame to them. They left it all on the floor."

Brookhaven senior guard Denzel Lyles got the biggest revenge of all.

Lyles had committed a key turnover to push the state championship in Moeller's favor last year, but he made two 3-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch Saturday to seal the Bearcats' win.

Lyles finished 9-of-21 from the field - including five 3-pointers for 26 points.

"It feels real good because everybody's been doubting us since last year. And plus I made a mistake on that last possession (last year), and I made up for that tonight," Lyles said. "My teammates kept telling me to shoot the ball.

So they must have known better than me that I was going to hit them. I just kept feeling them at the end."

The Bearcats' speedy guard

"I've never seen a locker room like that before. " Mteller coach Carl Kremer after his Crusaders lost

play helped force 15 Moeller turnovers and held Crusaders senior guard Bubba Walther to just six points. Walther bricked the gametying 3-pointer off the backboard with less than 20 seconds to play, and the Crusaders didn't recover.

"Our coach told me, if I did anything, don't let him touch the ball," Brookhaven guard Jermaine Cox said. "And when he touched the ball, I just did the best I could to defel}d him."

Moeller senior Josh Duncan led the Crusaders with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Crusaders fell behind 13-2 early and went into halftime down 27-20. But they used an 18-5 third quarter run, fueled by solid post play from Duncan and senior Andrew Brackman, to pull ahead 3832 by the start of the fourth quarter.

Brookhaven slowly plugged its way back into the game, and eventually tied it on one of Lyles' 3pointers with about 1:30 to play.

Crusaders junior Tyler Dierkers missed two free throws, Walther missed his 3-pointer and Lyles came through in the clutch to give the Bearcats the win.

"Our shots didn't fall for us, and that's probably a product of a lot of things, and their defense," Kremer said. 'We just didn't handle it very well .. . and probably took some shots I wish we hadn't"

E-mail ckane@enquirer.com

Moeller's Duncan named _ Gatorade Player of Year Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan has been named the Gatorade Ohio boys' basketball player of the year. Duncan averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists a game as Moeller reached the Division I regional final.

The Gatorade award is based on athletic and academic achievement and overall character. Duncan, who main. tains a 3.2 grade-point average, has signed with Xavier .University. He led Moeller to the Division I state basketball title as a junior.

Duncan, named second-team all-state by the Associated Press this season, becomes a finalist for the Gatorade national player of the year award to be announced in mid-April.

Et..IQ. 3 (a..c.l ~ Tom Groeschen

B8 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2003

I

FN

Boys basketball

Walther keys Moeller win in tourney Oak Hills knocks off rival Elder The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bubba Walther scored 17 points and Andrew Brackman added 15 points and four rebounds to lead Moeller to a 59-43 victocy over Clayton, N.C., Saturday in the Glacko Smith Klein Holiday Tournament at North Carolina State.

Moeller next plays the winner of the Millbrook-Sheldon game at 9 p.m. Monday.

MOELLER 17.01 -Walther 6 4 17, Childress 3 1 7, Duncan 4 011, Dlerkers 31 7, Watt 10 2, Brackman 5 515.

Totals: 22 1159.

ClAYTON 17·21 - Roland 3 1 7, Mangum 4 1 11, Montgomery 7116, Scarborough 10 2, Ale/us 31 7. Totals: 18 443.

Moeller• 14 15 12 18 -59

aa,ton -··---..--·--·· 15

u·

12 5 -43 3-pointers: Moe 4 (Walther, Duncan 3); Clay 3 (Mangum 2, Montgomery).

Oak Hills 65, Elder 52 Justin Ray scored 15 points and Oak Hills forced 21 Elder tumovers. .

ELDER IS.2r - Walters 5 0 11, Schuerman 1 3 6, O'Conner tO 2, Sommerl<amp 4 311, Murphy2 3 7, Bessler!

0 2, Harbin 2 0 4, Sullivan 2 3 7, Sunderman 1 0 2. Totals: 19 12 52.

OAK HILLS 13-2J-Smlth216, Welmer102, Ray60 15, Skalski 0 6 6, King 4 110, Pogue 3 3 11, Schoenfeld 0 3 3, Kramer 0 11, Schroeder 5 111. Totals: 2116 65.

9 10 12 21 -52 Oolc Hils 17 15 20 13 -65 3-pointers: Elder 2 (Walters, Schurman); Oak Hills 7 (Ray 3, Pogue 2, King, Smith).

Elder-·--

.

Winton Woods 69, Aorida St. Thomas Aquinas 56 Heath White scored 19 points and Jamaal Akbar added 15 points and four steals to lead theWarriors to the victocy in the Stock DWI tournament in New York.

The Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter after St. Thomas Aquinas, the fifth-ranked team in F1orida's big-school division, had cut the lead to two points.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS- Oelcalvo 2 0 5, White 52 13, Puente 1 0 2, Luback 12 4, Rodriguez 8 4 20, Rauntano 4 1 10, Gilben 1 0 2. Totals: 25 9 56.

WINTON WOODS 16-01-Johnson 10 2, Edmondson 4 0 8, White 8219, Williams3 612,Akbar 7115, H. Brown 3 0 7, J. Brown 0 2 2, Wynn 2 0 4. Totals: 281169. st. n-ao Aquinas_••••••__

9 12 18 17 -56

WlnlenWoods ••-·--···--- 18 15 12 24-69 3-polnters: STA 3 (White, Rauotano, Delcalvo); WW (White, H. Brown).

Taft 59, Centerville 56 DeAndre Byrd made five free

throws and John Jones three in the fourth quarter to seal the win in the LaRosa's Shootout at Centerville.

Byrd, named to the all-tournament team, finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

TAFT 15-11 - Gray 4 I 10, White I 0 3, Byro 3 8 15, Bumett306, Stone2 04, Donald215,Jones339,Colben2 0 4, Blanchard 12 4. Totals: 20 15 59.

CENTERVILLE 15-21- Ashwoith 1 0 2, Tllompson 3 0 6, Kuhls 4 816, Grote 4 614, Weimer 7 4 18. Totals: 1919 56.

Tall-----..· - - - - 13 13 17 16-59 c:enter.-e - · - - - - 12 5 22 16-56 3-pointers: Taft 3 (White, Gray, Byrd).

Western Hills 68, Col. Brookhaven 67 COLBROOKIIAVEN 14-11-Comley93 21, Swan nO 11, Lyles216, Cox2 38, McGee SO 14, Peny204, Campbell5 2 13. Totals: 2610 67.

WESTERN HILLS 15-11 - Honon 6 0 16, Brooks 113, Russia 2 2 6, Redden 5 111, Wright 2 0 4, Howaro 6 2 17, Moten 3 0 6, Mackey 2 1 5. Totals: 27 7 68.

Col.~-·--··--- 8 22 16 2117 WeolemHilo ••••- ••·-··-·--- 14 23 18 13-69 3-pointers: CB 5 (Lyles, Cox, McGee 2, Campbell); WH 7 (Honon 4, Howard 3).

Colerain 68, Harrison 60 Justin Beigel led the Cardinals with 26 points and 19 rebounds HARRISON- Johnson 1 0 3, Hotopp 2 4 9, Kuhlman 2 0 4, Houchin 14 4 33, Haynes 2 0 4, Myers 0 11, Teeters 216.

Totals: 23 10 60.

COLERAIN- Goodman 8 6 23, Fitzpatrick 113, Beigel, 9 8 26, Moore 1 0 2, Gaines 6 0 12, Russell 0 2 2. Totals: 2517

68.

tt.nloon·-·-·----···--·---

11 20 12 17 10 Colenin - - - · · - · - - - - 8 23 22 15 -69 3-pointers: H 4 (Johnson, Hotopp, Houchin, Teeters); C 1 (Goodman).

St Xavier 63, Huber Heights Wayne 47 HUBER HEIGHTS WAYNE- Gravitz 1 0 2, Colvin 113, Jennings 4 211, Brooks 4110, Cleveland 4 19, Allen 50 10, Potter I 0 2, Totals: 20 54 7.

ST. XAVIER 14-21- Lund 50 10, WoW 7 4 20, Gedeon 3 0 8,Jutte 2 0 4, Dye 10 2, Mora 10 2, Leibold 50 13, Scales 10 3, Gibbler 0 11. Totals: 25 5 63.

Huber lleiPb Wayne ••••••••·-··· 7 15 & 19 -47

st.Xnlor •• --········--- 17 19 15 1213 3-pointers: HHW (Jennings, Brooks); Stx 8 (Wo/12, Gedeon 2, Leibold 3, Scales 1).

Purcell Marian 49, Avon Lake 45 AVONLAKE-Smith215, Kostelnik204, Sfiligoj9 321, Bruce 1 0 2, Torbic 2 0 6, King 2 1 7. Totals: 18 5 45.

PURCEll MARIAN 13-51- Pastor 12 4, Spaulding 2 0 5, Rnnell 8 8 28, Suer 1 0 2, Mason 0 2 2, Reeder 3 0 6, Deluca 1 0 2. Totals: 1612 49. _......, __·--··-···--··-· 4 17 9 15-45 Purcell 12 10 9 18 -49 3-pointers: AL 4 (Torbic 2, King 2); PM 5 (Spaulding, Finnell

Marian.·----···-··-·

4).

Reynoldsburg 67, Mason 64 REYNOLDSBIJRG 15-11 - Stewan 3 1 7, Foster 1 0 2, Clanton 3 0 6, Washington 12 5, Walker 11 0 25, Caner 1 0 3, Covington 6 3 15, Wolgamott 12 4. Totals: 27 8 67.

MASON 15-21- Owens 3 814, Crotty 3 0 6, Moore 3 0 6, Richburg104 27, Harmon 10 3, Bemlng!O 2, Fawcett 10 2, Stephens 2 0 4. Totals: 24 12 64. ~--·-··-- 14 16 17 2017 - - - - - · · - · - - - · - - 17 20 15 1214 3-pointers: Rey 5 (Washington, Walker 3, Caner); Mas 4 (Richburg 3, Harmon).

Thomas, Kehoe head list of signees

By John Schutte The Cinci!!_naji E'!!luirer

''/t'f 0-:/.

!

1

Mount Notre Dame's Mel Thomas and St. Ursula's Bryn Kehoe top the list of early national letter-of-intent signees. The signing period runs today through Nov.19.

Mel Thomas, the Enquirer's 2003 Player of the Year, signed to play basketball at four-time NCM champion Connecticut.

Thomas, a 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 18.3 points, ·5.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds as a junior. Twotime , defending champion UConn is the preseason No. 1 in both polls. , , Kehoe, a setter, ·was one of

three signees from St. Ursula's state champion volleyball team.

Kehoe will play at five-time NCM champion Stanford.

"I verbally committed in April.

The campus is gorgeous," Kehoe said. "I hope to contribute next season as a setter. If not, I will pursue a defensive role."

Kehoe's teammates, Beth Gillming and Beth Shelton, will be squaring off against each other in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Gillming signed with Maryland and Shelton with Vrrginia.

"It will be like old times. I played against (Shelton) in grade school. Now we will meet at least twice a year," Gillming said. "It's awesome for St. Ursula and our

volleyball program to send three girls to major colleges."

Moeller's 2003 boys basketball state championship team produced three Division I signees. Andrew Brackman will attend North Carolina State, Bubba Walther will go to Akron and Josh Duncan will attend Xavier.

Lakota West's boys soccer state semifinalists also produced three Division I players. Ryan Kustos will attend Ohio State.

John Mellencamp and Kevin Noschang chose Indiana.

"It's amazing to be lucky enough to have those three kids on one soccer team." Lakota West coach Tnn Ross said. 'They meant so much to this team."

Inside Moeller's Josh Duncan and Hargrave Military (Va.) Academy's Stanley Burrell will sign today to play basketball at Xavier University, but Churchill Odia will delay his signing with XU until April.

Story, B4 •

Walther will continue career at Akron i:~~./ (~ 'l /'7{o3 Adam "Bubba" Walther, who helped lead Moeller to the Ohio Division I basketball champion-¡ ship last season, has committed to play at the University of Akron for the 2004-05 season.

Walther, a 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard, averaged 14 points a game last season. He scored 19 points in the state title game, a 73-65 upset win over Columbus Brookhaven, and was

named to the state all-tournament team along with teammates Josh Duncan and Andrew Brackman.

Duncan recently committed to Xavier and Brackman is mulling several Division I baseball and basketball .offers.

Walther will sign with Akron when the early signing period begins Nov. 12.

He is the son ofJim Walther, a former boys head coach at Cole-

rain and Northwest. Jim Walther said his son also considered Division I programs such as Wmthrop, Eastern Michigan and Evansville.

"Bubba wanted to commit early so he could concentrate on his senior year," Jim Walther said.

"He was happy with what he saw at Akron, and the (Mid-American Conference) is a great league."

- Tom Groeschen

St. Xavier-Moeller, Elder-La Salle games near sellouts Sellout crowds are expected for the Moeller-St. Xavier and Elder-La Salle football games Friday, withalimitednumberoftickets available.

St. Xavier will play for the first time in its renovated stadium.

Seating capacity increased from 3, 700 to 6,000 at the facility. Athletic director Pete Boylan said tickets are not available to the â&#x20AC;˘general public, with priority to

Go online Make your predictions on this weekend's prep football games and vote for a game you want us to cover. Keyword: Preps.

St. Xavier students, parents and alumni.

Moeller was allotted 2,000 tickets and will sell any leftovers - to

Moeller families only - through 1 p.m. Thursday at the school bookstore.

At La Salle, which also expects a sellout crowd of 6,000, tickets will be available to the public starting today (7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.) at the school.

Elder was allotted 2,500 tickets and was expected to sell those by Tuesday night, athletic director Dave Dabbelt said.

C6 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2003

WE

SPORTS

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

i-Wireless Invitational

Mighty Moeller picks up where it left off Enquirer contributor

Tall and talented Crusaders pummel Lakota West 68-40

Here's a four-word swnmary of first impressions of Moeller's 200304 basketball team: Scary big; scary good.

"I've coached 32 years in two different states, and that's the most talented team I've ever seen," Lakota West coach Mike Mueller said in the wake of Moeller's 6840 victory in the i-Wireless Invitational Hoops Classic Friday at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

"I've seen teams that tall before, but not with that talent. They've got guys 6-9 and 6-8 inside who will probably play the 3 position in college," Mueller said.

The defending Division I state

champions and top-ranked team in the area kept the score doubled up on West for most of the night. Even when West, ranked No.lO in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, played an inspired first four minutes of the third quarter, they lost ground.

"We came out and played great in the third quarter, and Bubba Walther scores their first 10 points, while we're getting eight," said Mueller.

Moeller's two inside Division I signees, 6-8 josh Duncan and 6-9 Andrew Brackman, combined for 22 points, but Walther stole the show. He scored a game-high 21

By Carey Hoffman

points, and added six relJounds, five assists and four steals.

"I really thought Bubba stabilized us tonight," said Moeller coach Carl Kremer. "He played like a senior and got us into some things we needed."

Walther, displaying Pete Maravich-style flair, made 3-of-5 threepoint tries, as Moeller as a team went 8-of-16 from behind the line.

Moeller shot 51 percent overall from the field, including better than 61 percent in the second half. ''We were loose because we have so many guys back," said Walther.

"But we were tight, too, because of having so many expectations. I

think we know deep down inside No.2 Princeton. whatitiswe need to do to beJrreat."

All five ofWolfs field goals came MO£UER !681- Walther 8 2 21. Childress 315 6, Gomez 2 0 6. Duncan 3 412. Dlerl<ers 31 7. Trainor 10 2, lynch 0 II, from behind the 3-point line, on just Brackman 4110. Farrell113. Totals: 25·49 10·16 68 eight attempts. "He shot the ball exlAKOTA WEST (40)- Chichester 2 0 4. Gschwind 0 11, Casper2 0 6, Hansford 102, Kohs 317, LewisO 11, Romero tremely well," said St. Xcoach Scott D3 3, Rathje 31 7, LaChapelle419. Totals: 15-52 8·15 40.

Moeller....................................... 19 11 22 16 -68 Martin. "He's our offensive leader, and when he hits shots, it draws a Lakota West ............................... 6 9 11 14 -40 3-polntgoats: M- Walther 3, Gomez 2, Duncan 2, Brackman; lot of attention and gives our other LW- Casper 2. Records: M 1·0, LW 0·1. guys opportunities to score."

Mark Dorris scored 12 points St. Xavier 59, Princeton 44 and Ross Morin 11 for Princeton.

ST. XAVIER (591-Lund 2 0 5, Peck 0 5 5, Jutte 2 2 6.

St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf debut- Deye 2 04, Leibold 10 2, Herman 0 II, WolfS 419, Scales3 9, Lankford 0 11, Gibler I 2 4, Schoenhoft II 3. Totals: ed in mid-season form in the sec- 217-4018-25 59. ond game Friday night at XU. PRINCETON (44) -Mann 5 111, Vickers 0 2 2, McGrath 0 2. Ben I 0 2, Williams 0 2 2, WilSOn II 3, Bell 0 2 2, Wolf scored a game-high 19 IHarrington I 2 4, Nelson 2 0 4, Dorris 5 2 12. Totals 16-50 12·20 44. points to lead St. X, No. 3 in the En- Sl Xavier .•• - .....................-..... 12 17 12 18 -59 quirer's Division I preseason coach- Princeton.................................... 8 12 9 15 -44 es' poll, to a convincing victory over

3·polntgoals: SX-Lund, wo~s. scates;P- none. Recortls: sx I.Q, PO-l.

Elder 44, Anderson 35 Thomas Sander's double-double of16 points and 15 rebounds helped Elder to victory in the third of four games Friday night at XU. Despite a horrible shooting night, Anderson pulled to within 3331 in the fourth quarter before a 6-0 Elder spurt put the game away.

Kurt Shoemaker paced Anderson with nine points and 10 rebounds.

RDER (44)- Walters 3 0 6, Schuerman 12 4, O'Conner 0 2 2, Sander 7 2 16, Sommerkamp 0 1 I, Carey 3 0 7, Sunderman I 0 2, HartJin 0 2 2, Wooo 2 0 4. Totals: 17·38 9-19 44 ANDERSON (351 - Patzwald 2 4 8, lnpellizzen I 0 2, Shingleton 215, Beck I 0 2. Shoemaker 3 3 9, Veil! 0 2.

Snouffer 2 3 7. Totals: 12-5811-16 35.

Elder ................................,......... 4 9 11 ZO -44

- . . . . _ ..................·-·-····-·· 10

7

4 14 -~

3-point goals; E- Carey; A- none. Records: E 1-0, A 0-1.

Page 1 of2

Irish face encounters of the difficult kind

OhitJ:.com Posted on Sat, Jan. 24, 2004

Boys basketball

Irish face encounters of the difficult kind Back-to-back games against quality foes will test St.

Vincent~St.

Mary

By David lee Morgan J!". c-r~--'---·'- r.:::.:::-r--J.C~ c!.-:rr!"' t-:-:-::~~~

If St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball coach Dru Joyce II had his way, he would not have put together a weekend like the one he's about to encounter.

The Irish (10-2) will face Toledo Libbey (9-2) tonight at St. Vincent-St. Mary. Then it gets tougher. On Sunday, the defending Division III state champs face defending Division I state champion Cincinnati Moeller (10-2) at Rhodes Arena.

Moeller is ranked No. 2 in this week's Associated Press state poll, behind top-ranked Canton McKinley.

The Crusaders' only loss was 71-61 to Oak Hill (Va.) Academy.

Two consecutive nights, two consecutive quality opponents.

Why would Joyce schedule two games in a row like that? ··Hey, I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy," Joyce said with a laugh.

The games were scheduled by Irish athletic director Grant Innocenzi. ··We had problems scheduling so we did what we had to do," Innocenzi said. • • Dru and I talked about It (the scheduling of Libbey and Moeller back,.to..,back) and we laughed about it.'i joyce understands that these two games will be a test for his team. ··Our goal all along is to play these types of teams because, win or lose, It will make us play better and make us grow," he said. • ·The bottom line is to keep playing the best teams we can play."

Joyce's challenge is preparing his team for two entirely different teams in a short time.

• ·It's amazing how different both teams are and our guys are going to have to make adjustments quickly," Joyce said. ·'Libbey is a very athletic team; they like to go up arid down the court and they are super fast."

Libbey is 6-0 in the Toledo City League.

Moeller is led by 6-foot-3 guard and University of Akron recruit Bubba Walther, who is averaging 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Sophomore forward Lawrence Wilson leads St. V-M with 15.6 points a game, followed by senior guard corey Jones (13.8), Marcus Johnson (13.4); Preston Sims (12.8) and Brandon weems (10.3).

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Page 2 of2

Irish face encounters of the difficult kind

''Moeller is a team that's really big and they are very deliberate,"

Joyc~

said.

Messages for David Lee Morgan Jr. can be left at 330-996-3824 or

0 20!Âť Beacon Journal and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://mvw.ohio.com

nup:JJwww.omo.coinJrruotomotsponstmgn_scnoou tt~o:>.c.l.mmnemptare=come .. .tpnmswry.JS

v.c.:>tv<+

i-Wireless Invitational

New season, new goals for victorious Oak Hills .'

l-!-

By io~ G~oeschen

The Cincinnati Enquirer

in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV preseason coaches poll, but Spartans coach Bill Brewer was the first to laugh at that rating. Brewer said Bacon's rating was based mostly on reputation, with the Spartans winning the Division II state title in 2002 and finishing regional runner-up in 2003. Seven players, including Miami University recruit Monty St. Clair, departed from last year's team. Senior guard Chris Cullum is the only returning Roger Bacon player with much varsity experience, and is the only senior.

Roger Bacon clawed back into the game with its trademark tenacious defense, and cut Oak Hills' lead to as little as six points in the fourth quarter, the last time at 4438 with 1:22 left. But Oak Hills closed with six straie-ht ooints.

It's definitely a new year for Oak Hills boys basketball.

The Highlanders, featuring a strong senior class, beat Roger Bacon 50-38 in the season opener Saturday night in the i-wireless Invitational Hoops Classic at UC's Shoemaker Center.

"Last year, we wouldn't have won this kind of game," Oak Hills coach Mike Price said. "We've got some experience, and hopefully that leads to a good year."

Oak Hills, ranked No. 12 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches poll, has struggled the past couple of years but appears back in form. The Highlanders have seven seniors and believe OAKHILLS(1-0) -Smith 44!4; RayS2!6; King3 0 6; they can contend for their first Schroeder 2 0 4; Cornelius 1 0 2; Skalski 2 0 4; Kramer 0 4 17 10 50.

Greater Miami Conference title 4. Totals: ROGER BACON (0-1)- Haarman 4 2!4; Pharris 2 0 4; since winning it three years ago.

Duffy 2 3 7: Bettis 2 4 B; Nolan 113; Zeller 1 0 2. Totals: 12 !03B. Justin Ray, the star football Oall Hills .....................-............ 13 12 11 14-50 quarterback and senior basketball " - Bacon ............................. 7 10 8 13 -38 guard, led the Highlanders with 16 3-pointer.;; OH 6 (Ray 4, Smith 2), RB 4 (Haarman 4). points. Fellow senior guard Garrett Smith had 14 points, with for- Sycamore 55, Madeira 44 wards Tony King and Mike KramGuard Mike Kimmey scored 27 er each grabbing eight rebounds. points and had four assists to lead Oak Hills shot to an early 11-0 Svcamore in the openine- game.

(1-0)- Tepe 2!5; langhorne i2 8; Peter.; 10 lead and basically made it stand SY'CAMORE 2; Konerman 1 0 2; Kimmey 11127; Frank 2 59; PI)'ZWara 1 2.

Totals: 20 9 55.

0 up, withstanding several Roger MADEIRA (0-1)- Schwein 318; Rust 15 8; Gilligan 21 Bacon spurts.

5; A. Donaldson 0 3 3; Moore 3 2 9: Steur 1 0 3; K. Roger Bacon was ranked No.1 Donaldson 2 0 4; Strohmaeier 2 0 4. Totals: 14 12 44.

Sycamore-·---.....-...........

Madeira_........... _,.................

2 17 19 17 -55 7 11 9 17-44

3-pointer.;; S 6 (Kimmey 4, langhorne 2), M 4 (Schwein, Rust, Moore, Steur).

Moeller 84, Lebanon 57 Top-ranked Moeller cruised to its second big win in as many nights. Moeller (2-0) opened with a 68-40 win over Lakota West on Fridav.

MOEI.J..ER (2-0) - Walther 4 2 10; Childress 1 2 4; Duncan 6 8 21; Watt 6!13; Brackman 10 9 30; Dier1<em 0 1 !; Juenger 10 2; Stovall! 0 2; Farrell 0 11. Totals: 29 24 84.

L£BAH0N (0-1)- A. Pntchard 10 2; T. Pntchard9 2 25; Hammons 7119; Howard 31 7; langston 2 0 4. Totals: 22 4 57.

Moeller----··""'""""" 16 16 23 29 -84 Lebanon ....... _ ..,_,__............. 11 10 21 15 -57 3-pointer.;: M 2 (Duncan, Brackman), L 9 (T. Pntchard 5, Hammons 4).

Reading 62, Norwood 42 Reading, the defending Division III state champion, opened its season with a rout of Norwood in the fourth of four i-wireless Invitational games at UC late Saturday.

John Gertz scored 17 points and Nick Berter. had 16 for Reading, ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV coaches poll.

READING (1-0) - Stidham 11 4; Je. Overbeck 4 0 8; Berter61!6; Pike 409; Gertt6 417; Smith 102; Curtis2 0 4; Taylor 1 0 2. Totals: 25 6 62.

NORWOOO (0-1)- Blair 2 3 8; Browning 4 0 9; Worrell 2 0 4; McCarthy 3 1 7; Depiano 5 2 12; Hilton 1 0 2. Totals: 17 6 42.

Reading--·----....-...... 18 17 11 16 -62 Notwood._,_,_ _,_........

9 12 10 11-42

3-pointer.;; R 6 (8erter 3, Stidham, Pike Gertt), N 2 (Browning, Blair).

Boys basketball

Moeller's Duncan might miss opening weekend

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

. ; I ._ .::-

Defending state champion Moeller is uncertain if star forward Josh Duncan (knee surgery) will be ready for the annual i-wireless Invitational Hoops Classic this weekend.

Moeller, rated No. 20 nationally in the USA Today preseason poll, opens the season vs. Lakota West on Friday (6:30 p.m.) at Xavier's Cintas Center. Moeller also plays on the second night of the i-wireless event, vs. Lebanon on Saturday (8 p.m.) at UC's Shoemaker Center.

The 6-foot-8 Duncan, the reigning Enquirer/Channel9 player of the year, led Moeller to the Ohio Division I title by averaging 18 points and 9.9 rebounds a game last season. Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in September.

"He only started practicing this week, and we're trying to be cautious," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I don't know if he'll be ready this weekend, but he should be

fine for the balance of the season."

Reading, the defending Division III state champion, plays Norwood at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at UC. The two-day i-wireless schedule, as organized by Tom Gamble of the Don Schumacher and Associates prep sports division: Friday at XU's Cintas Center: • Princeton vs. St. Xavier, 5p.m.

• Lakota West vs. Moeller, 6:30p.m.

• Anderson vs. Elder, 8 p.m.

• Hamilton vs. La Salle, 9:30p.m.

Saturday at UC's Shoemaker Center: • Madeira vs. Sycamore, 5p.m.

• Oak Hills vs. Roger Bacon, 6:30p.m.

• Lebanon vs. Moeller, 8 p.m.

• Norwood vs.

Reading, 9:30p.m.

Presale' tickets are $8 for students, $10 for adults at participating schools. All tickets are $12 at the gate.

Each ticket is good for all games that day, with separate tickets needed each day.

1

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Moeller, MND top boys, girls rankings 11ze Cincinnati EtuJuirer

Moeller and Mt Notre Dame remained unanimous choices in the Enquirer's Division I boys and girls basketball coaches' polls. The Greater Cincinnati League-South claimed the top three spots in the Division I boys poll.

Moeller received all seven first-place votes and St Xavier received all seven second-place votes. La Salle was voted No.3.

In the Division II-IV boys poll, Reading took over the top spot after Roger Bacon lost to Oak Hills. North College Hill moved to No. 2.

Mt Notre Dame received all six first-place votes in the Division I girls poll. Princeton and Wmton Woods are second and third.

In the Division II-IV girls poll, McNicholas fell into a first-place tie with Madeira. ·

Boys Polls

Girls Polls

Division I

Division I Points

Rank·Team 1. Moeller (7)

70

2. St. XB'l:er 3. La SaHe 4. Harr.'~on

63 55 39

5. Pnncetnn

6. W1throw 7. lakota East 8. Winton Woods 9 Elder 10. oak Hills Others: lakota West 8, West

.

34 34

· 26 17 16 14 Hil~s 5, Mason 4.

Division II·IV

Rank-Team l. Read,ng (5} 2. North College Hill (1} 3. Roger Bacon (1)

·

Points 67 58 57 49 31 22 22 22

4. Mc~icholas 5 Badm 6. Wyoming 6 Madeira 6. Purtell t!.anan 9. Turpm 12 ·10. Tall 11 Others: Oeer Park 7, Indian Hll/6, Finneytown 5, Wooowaro 4, Georgetovm 3, Manemont 2.

Points

Rank-Team .1. Mt Notre Dame (6} 2. Pnnceton 3. Wintnn Woods 4. Sycamore 5. McAuley

60

53 45 29

·2s

~·~:.ura

-~~

8. Harrison 21 9. ll!kota West 14 jOt, __ursuline_ 7 lOt. Setnn i OlheB: Colm. 5, Hm~. 4, Frfld. 3, Mt Hlthy. 2, Hughes I, 0. Hills I.

Division II-IV Rank·Team

Points

f. MCNicli!ilas (3>

36

L Ma~elra (I).

36

3. CliCA 4. Badin

31 24

5. Wyoming

22

6. Seven H!lls 7. Puree" Marian 8. Georgetown 9. Mariemont 10. landmark Tnnlty Others: Fenwick 5, Indian Hill 5, uwe Miami 3, Goshen 2, Richmond 2, Waynesvn:e 2, Taylor I.

20 11

10 8 6 New

c., -..r,vrt.u..f4iff

Pr-e 55'

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

ler

PREVIEW Coach: Carl Kremer (213102)

Last year: 23-4 2002-03

highlights: G C L , Sectional, Walther District, Regional and State Champions

Outlook Hands down, Moeller is the Division I team not only to beat in Cincinnati but also in Ohio.

"We return 11 of 14 tournament/varsity players and will rely on experience,' Kremer said.

"Another strength is our height, with four guys at least 6foot-7. But, we need to find new leadership with Rob Chri~tie (point guard), William DeTemple and Joe Kimener all graduating."

Although Moeller plays in th~ tough Greater Catholic U(ague South, it appears that St. Xa..vier, La Salle and Elder will be in the rebuilding mode.

"We will be a target as the team to knock off," Kremer said.

MOELLER BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

MOELLER ROSTER

Name Bubba Walther Josh Duncan Andrew Brackman Ryan Trainor Blake Carter P.J. Juenger Tyler Stovail Ryan Childress Tyler Dierkers Chris Reisert Patrick Watt Patrick Farrell Tim Lynch

Pos G F F G F F F F F G G F G

Hgt

Yr

6'3" 5'8" 6'8" 6'3' 6'3" 6'5" 6'2" 6'7" 6'7" 6'0" 5'9" 6'1" 6'2"

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11

Depth is another strength with the Crusaders bench loaded with talented players who could start at other Division I schools.

Conference: Greater Catholic League South Biggest games: Elder, St. Xavier, La Salle

Dec. 5 LAKOTA WEST at Cintas Center (6 p.m.)

Dec. 6 LEBANON at UC (8 p.m.)

Dec. 9 . ROGER BACON Dec. 13 BADIN at Cincinnati Gardens (8 p.m.)

Dec. 19 at Elder (8 p.m.)

Dec. 27 at North Carolina Tournament Dec. 29 at North Caroline Tournament Dec. 30 at North Carolina Tournament Jan. 6 MCNICHOLAS Jan. 9 ST. XAVIER (8 p.m.)

Jim. 16 at Kettering Alter Jan. 17 CLEVELAND ST. IGNATIUS Jan. 23 at La Salle (8 p.m.)

Jan. 25 at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary ¡(2:30 p.m.)

Jan. 30 at Purcell Marian Feb. 6 ELDER (8 p.m.)

Feb. 10 CHAMINADE-JULIENNE (8 p.m.)

Feb. 15 at St. Xavier (4 p.m.)

Feb. 20 LA SALLE (8 p.m.)

All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

Returning seniors: Bubba Walther (committed to Akron), Josh Duncan (Xavier), Andrew Brackman (North Caroline State).

Newcomers: Ryan Childress, Tyler Dierkers, Cris Reisert, Patrick Watt.

Mascot: Crusaders Team colors: Blue and Gold

Boys basketball

4th-ranked Hamilton holds off No. 2 St. X l'l-/to/a3

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Peters); Princeton 0.

Wengert 1 0 2, Nedeau 2 0 6, McCulla 2 0 4, Kerss 2 0 4, Walker 4 0 8, lester 2 16. Totals: 17 139.

Hamilton Christian 62,

Senior guard Brandon Lampley 40 hit a jump shot with just more than Cozaddale HAMILTON CHRISTIAN INA)- French 10 2,Short51 a minute to play Tuesday to give 12, Penkoval02, Walls317, Huston B1D2, Robinson M6 o 12, Wiggins 5 112, Sames Be 2 D 4, Barnes Br 2 1 3, Hamilton, the No. 4 team in the Huston M 2 0 4, Robinson R0 11. Totals: 26 6 62.

11·11- Randolph 31 7, Showalter 6 416, Enquirer Division I area coaches' WilsonCOZADDAl£ 419, Sallee 3 0 6, Johnson I D 2. Totals: 17 6 4D. poll, a 54-53 victory over No. 2 St Hamilton Cllristian .............-.... 14 18 15 15-62 Xavier. The Bombers couldn't con· Cozaddalo...................... _____ 8 3 12 17-40 vert several tip-in attempts at the 3-poinle!S. H 2 (Short, Wiggins). end of the game.

Landmark Trinity 59, HAMILTON 11·11 - Lampley 2 D 4, Williams 2 2 6, Brooke I D3, Huff2 D 6, Meyers-White 5113, Allen 411D, Miller 5 212. Totals: 21 6 54.

ST. XAVIER 11-11- Lund 3 I 7, Wolf 4 412, Peck 4 D9, June2 D4, Deye3 06, Uebold22 7,5cales 102, Gibler02 2. Schoenhoft 2 o4. Totals: 20 9 53.

Hamilton................_, ___,,_ 10 16 19 9 -54

st. Xavier ....................__ ,,_

13 11 17 12-53

3-pointers: H6 (Brooke, Huff2, Meye<S-White 2, Allen); SX 2 (Peck, liebold).

Lockland 66, St. Bernard 65, 2 OT LOCKlAND 12.0, MVt 1·01- Qgletree 14 6, Hams 8 3 20, Collins 4 5 14. Fartey 10 3 26. Totals: 23 15 66.

ST. BERNARD 11·1, 0.11- Gnder 13 6, Crank 50 10.

MillerS 120, Williams 3 2 1D, Rose 3 0 7, Cannady II 3, Byrd 4 1 9. Totals: 25 8 65.

Lockland..................- . 6 16 12 12 10 10 -66 st. Beman! ....._, _ _ 9 9 12 16 10 9~ 3-pointers: lOCkland 5 (Fartey3, CollinS, Hams); st. Bemard 7 (Miller 3, Williams 2, Grider. Rose).

Seven Hills 47, New Miami 46 NEW MIAMI)0-2, 0.11 - Roberts 4 2 11, Allen 3 3 11, Fox 2 0 5, Shelley D II, K1mbell4 3 12, Davidson 2 2 6.

Totals: 15 1146.

SEVEN HILLS 11·2,1.0) - Ban 3 1 7, Grimme 3 3 9, Whipple 2 0 5, TurtJa 1 2 5, Tabor 4 3 11, Drane 4 2 10.

Totals: 17 1147.

Miomi .....................-....... 14 4 10 18 -46

Sewa Hils-..- - - - - 10 12

9 16-47 3·pointers: New Miami 5 (Roberts, Allen 2, Fox, Kimbell); Se"'n Hills 2 (Whipple, TurtJa).

LaSalle 56, Alter 41 AlTER 11·1, GCL-N 0.1)- Gaull4 6, Krystofik I D 2, Roderer 4 0 10, Jasper 113, Dorow 113, Freshwater 12 5, Rlazzi 6 D 12. Totals: 15 8 41.

LASALLE 12.0, GCL.S 1.01- Rhoades 1 0 3, Mansoor 1 D 2, Ruberg 4 0 10, Wiegele 1 1, Flynn 50 10, Orr 7 2 17, Dooms 2 04, Teepe 2 0 4, Stanchek 2 0 4. Totals: 25 2 56.

Alter ..............._,,_..______ 12 4 12 13-41 LoSalle ..........._______ 10 16 18 12-56 3-pointers: Alter 3 (Roderer2, Freshwater); LaSalle 4 (Ruber 2, Rhoades, 0")-

LOYeland 46, Amelia 36 AMEUA 10.1, FAVC 0.11- Gillespie 1 0 2, McClure 3 2 9, MacFanand 4211, Simpson 4 0 9, Wenker 12 5. Totals: 13 6 36.

LOVElAND 12.0,1.01- Forsythe D2 2, Gallenstein 2 0 4, Partridge 2 0 5, Grant I 0 2, Leever 4 2 10, Fields 12 4, Crtpe 3 612, Ramsey 2 3 7. Totals: 15 15 46.

Amelia ............................... __

9 11

l.oYeland ..,_,............____

8 14 12 12-46

9

7 -36

3-pointers: Amelia 4 (McClure, MacFanand, Simpson, Wenker); LDveland 1 (Partridge).

Elder 52, St. Henry 35 aOER[2.01- Walte!S 2D5, Schurman 215,Careyl3 5, sander ID I 21, Sommerl<amp 0 2 2, Murphy I 0 3, SUllivan 2 0 4, Sunderman 2 0 5, Wood 102. Totals 216 52.

ST. HENRY 11-21 - Noetzell 0 2, lageman 6 115, S. Contrail! 0 2, Faust I D3, Colley 1 D2, Cook5111. Totals 15 235.

Elder .................- ........... 13 9 17 13-52 St.llenoy .............................._, 14 3 9 9 - 35 3-pointers: Elder3 (Walters, Murphy, Sunderman); St. Henry 3 (lageman 2, Faust).

Princeton 62, Lakota East 53 lAKOTA EAST 11-1,0.1)-Sallee 4 08, Maybeny217, Schlensker I D3, Boyd 2 2 6, Dews 8 4 22, Donnelly 2 0 4, Pete!S I 0 3. Totals: 20 7 53.

PRINCETON I1·L 1.0)- Monn 8117, Vickers 0 II, McGrath I 4 6, Ben I 1 3, Williams 6 3 15, Wilson 0 2 2, Hanington 10 2, Donis 4 614, Mollon-Green 10 2. Totals: 2218 62.

Lakota Ust ,,________ 12 9 11 21-53

Princeton ......,_..,_,___ 11 19 14 18-62 3-pointer.;: Lakota East 6 (Maybeny 2, Schlensker, Dews 2,

Muon • ----· 18 23 16 16 -73 Glen Este ·--·-·-·-.........._ 6 11 9 13 -39 3-pointers: M 4 (OWens, Crotty, Wilking, Hannon); GE 4 (Klrtly, Nedeau 2, lester).

Clark Montessori 56, Dayton 40 ClARK MONTISSORII1·01- Peny 0 2 2, Coo~ D 11, Metz 22 8,Cuny9121, Wyly6315,Hickson 113, GlbOS22 6. Totals 20 12 55.

DAYTON 10.31- Schwartz 2 0 6, F. Khokhar 4 413, LDrich 54 14, Roberts 0 2 2, Dilts 13 5. 12 13 40.

Clarl< Montessori .._____ 17 11 11 14 - 56 Dayton ..----·--·-......... 9 8 il 13 - 40 3·pointers: CM 4 (Metz 2, Cuny 2); Dayton I (Schwartz).

Cincinnati Christian 49

NCH 98, Summit 56

LANDMARKTRINRY 11·1, MYtH)- McGUffey 14 7, Snell9 1134, Medley 0 11, Tomlin 113, Rosser 5 111, P. Medley I D 2, J. Wolford 0 II. Totals: 22 19 59. aN. CHRISTIAN 11·1, MVC 0.11- Blankenship 3 0 B, Moon 102, Ky.ThomasD II, Kr. Thomas306, Hom 6 517, Lammers 0 6 6, Davenport 3 I 7, Head 10 2. Totals: 17 13 49.

8 26 10 15-59 7 11-49 3-pointers· l G (Snell 5, McGuffey); CC 3 (Blankenship 2, Davenport).

SUMMIT (0.21 - Schmlclt 1 I 3, Koepfer 2 2 6, Schnining 1 D 3, Shumrick 2 D 5, Myers 0 11, Reder 2 0 5, Sneed 13 5, Madden 11 3, Cooper 113, Tieman 7 5 22.

Totals: 18 14 56.

NCH 13.fll-Mayo 13129, Rodarrnel5 717, Wllhlte31 7, VIctorian 6 0 12, Glo"'r 7 3 19, Moo"' 12 5, Roundtree 2 o 5, Bostic 12 4. Totals: 3816 98.

- - · - - - - -....... 10 12 15 19-98 NCH ,_................................... 22 23 27 26-56 3-poirrters: Summit 6 (Schnirring, Shumrick, Reder, Tieman 3); NCH 6 (Mayo 2, Glover 2, Moore, Roundtree).

Moeller 83, Roger Bacon 39

Turpin 65, Kings 56

Landnwl<.................................

Cin. Cllristian ...............--.... 17 14

R0G£R BACON 10.2, GCL-N 0.11 - Bettis 2 I 5, Harmon5213, Nolan03 3, Cullum 216, Gabreder1lane2 0 4. Pharris 2 0 4. Knecht 2 D 4. Totals: 15 7 39.

MOEI.LERI3.fl,GCI..S1.0)- Walther4 210, Child"'ss 216, Gomez022, Duncan 5316, Oierkers215, TranorO 4 4, Watt D 2 2, Corter D 2 2, lynch I 0 3, Juenger 0 4 4, Brackman 6 5 17, Stovall2 o 4, Farrelll 58. TotalS: 23 31

KINGS 11·1, FAVC.C 0.11- Morgan I 0 2, Schnee 2 0 6, Begley 20 4, Testerman 4 D11, Heaton 3 39, McDonald 5 2 12, Burgess 3 6 12. Totals: 20 1156.

TURPIN 12.0, FAVC.C 1.01- Slonim 15 7, Forg3 3 9, Bowen4315, Burtas419,Armstrong!O 2, NoMell8420, SChwirtz 113. Totals: 22 17 65.

Kings,_, __, ___,____ 15 13 12 16-56

83.

TIIJ!Iin ...,_.___, __,., ••

~

Bacon..............................

4 10

_ _ _ _ ,,....,_..__ 20

6 19-39 9 33 21-83

3-pointers: RB 2 (Hannon, Cullum); M 6 (Childress, Duncan 3, lynch, Farrell).

Winton Woods 82, Walnut Hills 53 .

WINTON WOODS (2.0, FAVCB 1.0) -Johnson D II, Edmondson 2 2 8, Whrte 7 0 14, McGee 4 0 9, Williams 3 4 10, Wiley308,Akbar60 12, H. Brown 215,J. Brown 2 04, Wynn 5 111. Totals: 34 9 82.

WAlNUT HILLS 10·3, FAVCB 0.11 - Acoff 7 2 18, Salone 3 3 9, Schneider I 0 2, Ellison I D 3, Hoyt 7 0 15, Gnffin 1 0 2, Rodgers 12 4. Totals: 21 7 53.

WJntm Woods-................_, 17 25 22 18-82 Walnut Hills.......................-... 14 10 10 19 -53 3-pointe<S: Winton Woods 5 (Edmondson 2, Wiley 2, McGee); Walnut Hills 4 (Aooff 2, Ellison, Hoyt).

Purcell Marian 65, Holy Cross 53 HOLY CROSS 11·21 - Bibbins 2 2 6, Burnett 3 I 9, Trame 11 4, Wesseling 50 13, Mando 11 3, Bosch 2 0 4, Zombrodt 0 II, Stone 12 4, Rscher 3 3 9. Totals: IB1153.

PURCElL MARAIN 11·11 - Pastor 7 115, Rnnelllll 13, suero 11, Masons 218, Reedero 11, OeShawn 306, ward 4 311. Totals: 2319 65. lloiJ Cross................................. 4 9 16 24 -53 Purcell Marian ......- .......... _.. 13 19 16 17 -65 3-pointers: HC 6 (Burnett 2, Trame, Wesseling 3); PM 0.

Taft 70, Jacobs 55 TAfT 11.0) - Gray 52 12, White 2 0 4, Byrd 4 2 10, Burnett 3 2 8, Landrum 0 11, Stone 10 2, Donald 2 15, Jones 10 4 24, Colbert 2 0 4. Totals: 2912 70.

JACOBS 11·11- Mincy 7 2 16, Grigsby 0 2 2, Smith I D 2, Parker D 11, Kaiser 2 D 4, Adams 2 1 5, Emery 2 D 4, stewart 0 II, Jarmon 3 2 8, Pringle 3 2 8, McBride 2 0 4.

Totals: 22 1155.

Tlfl---·-..............--·· 20 18 12 20-70 ~-----......... _,_ 8 19 18 10-55

McNicholas 60, Badin 46 BADIN 10.21- Roesch 12 4, Mavs 12 4, Stritthott 4 0 9, Young 0 4 4, Martini 4 0 B, Pater 5 7 17. Totals 15 IS 46.

MCNICHOLASI2·11- Follz 12 4, Dyment3 2 9, Yards 30 6, Guy 10 2, Ward 3 os, Ronow 5212, cannet2 04, Stamper 2 0 4, Schlegheck 4 2 11. Totals 24 8 60.

Badin-._.. _ _ _.._ 8 6 13 19-46 McNicholls.................,_,......... 17 18 9 16 - 60 3-pointe<S: B (Slritthott); M 4 (Ward 2, Dimett. Schlegheck).

Mason 73, Glen Este 39 MASON 12.0,1.0 FAVCI- Owens 6 0 13, Crotty 4 0 9, Moore 4 0 8, R1chburg 12 4, Hannam 3 18, Reming 2 2 6, 2 0 5, Jones 1 D 3. fawcen 3 2 8, Decker I 2 4, Alkinson 2 15. Totals: 29 10 73 GLEN ES1E 10.2, 0.11 - Kirby 3 0 7, Bryant 1 0 2, Wil~ng

8 14 15

28~

3-pointers: K 5 (Schnee 2, Testerman 3); T 4 (Bowen 4).

Goshen 76, Norwood 74 NORWOOD 10.2, FAVC.C 0.11- Goodman I 0 2, Blair 011, Brownlng3 2 8, Morreii8218,HIIton102, McCarthy3 16 24, Depiano 9 3 21. Totals: 25 24 74.

GOSHEN 12.0, FAVC.C 1.01- Anderson 3 19, Lehnert 3 0 7, Bunnell2 D5, Folino 12 4, Mcintosh 12 4, Monk 112 3D, Koch 113, McClanahan 4110, Dunham 2 D 4. Totals: 28 9 76.

--·--·-·--·-· 16 21 21 23 25-76 14-74 Goshen-.. .., ________ 10 20 3-pointers: G 11 (Anderson 2, Monk 6, Lehnert. Bunnell, McClanahan).

CCD 55, CHCA 36 CCD 11·11 -Smith 7 5 20, Graves 4 1 9, Ward 4 0 9, Pope 2 2 6, Brownstein 2 0 5, Kasvln 12 4, seward 1 D 2.

Totals 2111 55. , CHCA 10.21 - Simmons 4 0 12, LDwenstine 2 3 7, Riewald 317, Hoyer2 D 5, Hall12 4, McAllister ID I. Totals 12 636, 10 19 13

ceo,______,,_...._

u

ss

CHCA ......- ...- - · - - - -

3 14

7 12 36

3's: CC02 (Ward, Brownstein); CHCA 5 (Simmons 4, Hoyer).

Northwest 49, Little Miami 48 NOR'TIIWEST 12·11- Knott 8 o 17, B. Pleasant 2 15, Walker I 0 3, Chappell9119, 0. Pleasant 2 15. Totals: 22 3 49.

I.IT1LE M1AMI[0.3)- McKeehan 5313, McVey 3 411, Ball 7 0 14, Pritchard 4 110. Totals: 19 8 48.

- -....-.--................. 8 25 8 8-49 LHtleMiomi-----·-· 14 13 5 16-48 3-pointers: N 2 (Knott. Walker); LIM 2 (Pritchard, McVey).

Covington Latin 73, Norwood Christian 24 COVINGTON LATIN 11·21- France 215, Guilfoyle 4 D 8, Bledsoe 2 04, Dewey 10 2, LDwry3 06, Scllwartz8117, Noel9 5 23, Gibson 3 2 8. Totals: 32 9 73.

NOR. CHRISTIAN 10-41 - Duellelll 3, Swaffoll15 3 14,Johnson 0 2 2, Wright 103, Haynes 10 2. Totals: 8 624.

Covington 20 10 25 18 -73

Latin-·--------·

CllrlstiaA · - · - - 4 11 3-pointers: NC 2 (Swafford, Wright).

5

4-24,

Hannony 70, Bellevue 65, 2 OJ Bll.LEVUE 11·11 - Wight 10 11 33, Glenn 8 2 19, Pearman 2 I 6, Moore 3 0 7. Totals: 25 6 62.

HARMONY 12.01- English 10 0 20, Griffin 2 0 4, Forte 2 0 4, Burck 113, Anderson 103, Gaulden306, Foster40 8, Adkins 5 Ill, Co< 4"2 II. Totals: 2 _7D. _ __ ,_____ 9 1732 6 16 9 8-65 Harmony _ _ _ _ _ 16 10 10

12 9

13-70

3-pointers: B 4 (Wight 2, Pearman, Moore, Glenn); H 3 (AndeiSOn, Cox 2).

Page 1 of2

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Tuesday, December 30, 200312:00AM EST

Oak Hill races into final

By AL MYATT, Staff Writer RALEIGH -- There may still be some competition in tonight's championship of the GlaxoSmithKiine Invitational, even if heavily favored Oak Hill Academy has an easy time with Cincinnati Moeller.

Such as: Who will be tournament MVP? Oak Hill, the nation's No. 1-ranked high school boys basketball team, goes after its fifth Glaxo title in the 32nd annual event at 9 p.m. It stormed to a 67-41 semifinal triumph over towering North Bethesda (Md.) Georgetown Prep on Monday night at Reynolds Coliseum.

Moeller, ranked No. 17 nationally, won the other semifinal, getting 33 points and 14 rebounds from N.C. State recruit Andrew Brackman in a 76-60 victory over Sacramento (Calif.) Sheldon. Sheldon was led by 28 points from Duke signee DeMarcus Nelson.

Oak Hill is internationally recognized for its high school talent so the title matchup could be an apples and oranges situation considering Moeller draws from a specified area.

"Our kids are from northeast Cincinnati," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "[Oak Hill] is the most talented high school team I've ever seen. I have a true respect for what they can do .... They're 18-0. We can't play but 20 games a year in Ohio."

Moeller (7~0) likes to play zone with Brackman at the point. Oak Hill coach Steve Smith wants to get the Crusaders into a running game.

"I'm sure they've seen every game plan imaginable," Kremer said. "But the bottom line is that you have to be solid. You're not going to trick anybody on their level. You have to make open shots. We have to do the things we have to do to win."

The MVP honor, which typically has gone to the top player on the championship team, may be the only close call involving the Warriors this week. Josh Smith, who may leave the private Baptist boarding institution in Mouth of Wilson, Va., for the NBA, and flashy point guard Rajon Rondo are the top candidates.

Smith had 17 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots against a Georgetown Prep front line that went 7foot-2, 6-9 and 6-9. Rondo had 16 points, seven assists and three steals.

Smith seems to soar above the playing floor for alley-oop dunks, often on deft feeds from Rondo, who handles the ball like ifs a yo-yo and passes like he has a rearview mirror on his headband.

Rondo may have had a slight lead on Monday in wowing a crowd of 5,500 with a spin dribble through his legs that he finished with a driving layup.

"Spur of the moment," Rondo said of the sequence. "Poppecj up in my head."

Coach Smith didn't duck a question about the leader for MVP. "Probably Rajon," Smith said. "He was MVP last week in Hawaii, too. He makes plays."

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"I'm not worried about MVP," Josh Smith said. "I'm just worried about winning the tournament. ... Whoever wins, we ain't gonna be mad about it. We're just going to congratulate each other."

"There's enough recognition for everybody to stay grounded;" said Rondo; who opened the tournament with 26 points against Lee County.

Dayshawn Wright of the Warriors could be a darkhorse candidate. He had 13 points on 6 of 8 fieldagoal shooting and nine rebounds. Georgetown (8-3) was led by 14 points from guard Tommy Moss and 11 from Aris Williams.

Georgetown plays Sheldon (9-2) at 4 p.m. today for third place.

Lee County (8-3) topped Gamer 59-44 and will play Millbrook (7-5), a 71-60 winner over Clayton, for fifth place at 12:40 p.m. today. The seventh-place game between Garner (6-5) and Clayton (7-3) is at 9:20a.m. ŠCopyright 2003, The News & Observer Publishing Company. All material found on (including , , , , and ) is copyrighted The News & Observer Publishing Company and associated news services. No material may be reproduced or reused without explicit permission from The News & Observer Publishing Company, Raleigh, North Carolina.

The News & Observer Publishing Company is owned by

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.EiiยงQ 0ยง 1-2-3 Are e.:pectations high for Moeller this season? You decide. The defending Ohio Division I state champions return three players who will be playing Division I ball in college next year. Several publications and websites, ineluding Street & Smith (21st), rank the Cmsaders among the top 25 teams in the country.

"This is one of the best rosters we've ever had at Moeller," admits head coach Carl Kremer, with an emphasis on roster.

"I don't think we've ever had three Division I senior players at the same time.

Having great players is one thing, but the key for us will be how we perform as a team. Is this the best team? I don't think we know that yet."

30 Fall/Winter 2003 I Hacks9Sports

It's no secret that Moeller is loaded, led by the big three of 6'7" forward Josh Duncan (Xavier University), 6'7" forward Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State) and 6'3" guard Adam "Bubba" Walther (University of Akron). Another question is, are there enough basketballs to go around for the three?

"I think everyone takes an intense pJide in playing for Moeller and these guys are all winners. I think they (the big three) are able to set aside their own egos and just do what it takes to win," Kremer says. Duncan led the way last season by averaging 16.9 ppg. and 8.4 rebounds.

Brackman and Walther are both double figure scorers capable of putting up big numbers.

Not only is Moeller talented, but they're big as well. A pair of 6'7" junior forwards-Ryan Childress and Tyler Dierkers-wi.ll get key minutes this year while junior Pahick V/att will likely take over point guard duties. Kremer says that graduated starters Joe Kimener and Rob ChJistie were somewhat overlooked last year and will be hard to replace.

Kremer acknowledges that there is a certain amount of pressure this season and realizes the bull's eye is planted firmly on his team's back. Undoubtedly recent history shows that it is hard to repeat as state champions. The last Division I team to accomplish that feat was Elder back in 1973-74.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2003 CS

Higb school insider

Top recruits bode well for Moeller Repeat possible with 3 Div. I signees Moeller is a heavy favorite to St. Xavier's Johnny Wolf, all Division I prospects repeat as Ohio Division I boys Don't be surprised if Moeller basketball state champion, for (23-4 last season) loses a game obvious reasons.

When practice starts Monday, or two in the GCL, because the Moeller will be one of few teams league is just too good.

Kremer doesn't expect to suiting up three Division I colblow through the GCL unbeatlege recruits in forward Josh en.

Duncan (Xavier), forward AnGIRLS BASKETBALL: Cincindrew Brackman (North Carolina State) and guard Bubba Walther nati also has a major Division I (Akron). · girls power in Mount Notre Dame, which also has that magAnd three D-I recruits often ic formula of three Division I retranslates to a state title. Or cruits - and maybe more. close to it Mount Notre Dame, Check recent Cinranked No. 33 in the Stucinnati history: dent Sports national pre• In the 2002-03 season poll, is led by seseason,Moellerwon nior guard Mel Thomas, the state with the aforementioned trio as who committed to fourtime NCAA champion leading scorers.

Connecticut last week.

• In the 2001.{)2 season, Roger Bacon MND also has two more seniors committed upset LeBron James' Tom St. Vmcent-St Mary to Division I colleges in guard Robyn Shipley team in the Division II . (Elon University, N.c.) state final with three eventual Division I recruits: Josh and post player Angela Estes Hausfeld and Monty St. Clair (East Tennessee State).

(Miami U.) and Beckham WyrAnd junior post player Miick (UNC-WJlrnington). chelle Jones, an Enquirer firstteam all-city player last season, • Also in 2001-02, Wmton Woods was Division I state run- is a Division I prospect. ner-up led by Robert Rite (MiMND was 23-3 last season ami, Fla.), DeForrest Riley and came within one game of (Penn State) and Byron Fields the Division I state final.

(Wofford).

SIGNING DATE: The early signEarly polls have Moeller rated ing period begins Wednesday.

Ohio's top team for 2003-04.

FOOTBALL: Two Clinton CounStudent Sports magazine, ty football coaches are leaving based in California, lists Moeller the ranks after several decades No. 22 nationally (No.1 in Ohio). each. Blanchester coach George 'There's no hiding it," MoelRise, who also was a longtime ler coach Carl Kremer said. coach at Goshen, is retiring with "People know what we've got 204 career wins. And Wilmingback. Plus, our Nteam was 18-2 ton's Jim Home, who won more and our freshmen were 20-0 last than 100 games and took the year. And I still think people be- Hurricanes to their first playoff lieve we have the premier league appearance this season, also is in the state." stepping down.

That is the Greater Catholic SWIMMING: Mariemont's Nick League South, which also inThoman, state swimming runcludes Elder, La Salle and St. Xa- ner-up in the 100 backstroke last vier. season, has orally committedto Each team also has its own the University of Arizona. big star in Elder's Thomas Sander, La Salle's Justin Orr and E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com

Groeschen

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USATODAY.com '

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Super 25 boysâ&#x20AC;˘ basketball ran kings Preseason rankings, Nov. 19, 2003- Records and stats from 2002-03 unless noted

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (31-4) Returning starters: 0. Outlook: Transfers include 6-9 Brian Johnson

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â&#x20AC;˘

(Louisville signee), 6-9 Josh Smith (Indiana signee) and 6-6 Dayshawn Wright (Syracuse commitment). Opened with four victories, averaging over 100 points.

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-2) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: 6-9 Chris Henry, 6-7 G Marcel Jones and 6-8 junior Rashad Austin flank Taylor King, a 6-6 freshman standout at last summer's Adidas ABCD Camp. Schedule includes No. 1 Oak Hill on Feb. 6 in Trenton, N.J.

3. Westchester, Los Angeles (32-3) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: Jonathan Tolliver (10 ppg) and 6-6 junior Marcus Johnson (8 ppg) lead a nineplayer rotation.

4. St. Anthony, Jersey City (21-5) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Guard-oriented team led by 6-2 Otis Campbell, 6-3 Marcus Williams and 5-11 Ahmad Mosby, who teamed to win And One national title in June.

5. Rufus King, Milwaukee (25-0) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Division I state champion features four guards: 6-0 Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 James Pruitt, 6-1 Matt Goodwin (12 ppg, 5 rpg) and 6-2 Robert Dixon.

6. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (26-4) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: 6-7 Gavin Grant (1 0 ppg, 7 rpg) and 6-5 Brian Laing (15 ppg) lead the way.

7. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (20-1) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Tunji Soroye (1 0 ppg, 6 rpg), a 6-11 Nigerian headed to Virginia, is dominant inside. Uche Echefu, 6-8, is recovered from knee surgery.

8. Peoria (Ill.) Central (31-1) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Duke-bound Shaun Livingston (15 ppg, 4.5 apg) is the nation's top point guard. nup:l!usatoaay.pnnums.ct...tcptracuon=cptcx.exptre=cx.unll.J=qo::H~.;o::>cx.ro=

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9. Edgewater, Orlando (34-2) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Darius Washington (30.1 ppg, 6 apg), a Super 25 guard, and 6-1 Brandon Johnson form Florida's top backcourt.

10. Rainier Beach, Seattle (26-3) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: The two-time Class 3A state champions feature a nine-man rotation, led by Miami (Fia.)-bound 6-11 C.J. Giles (1 0 ppg, 10 rpg).

11. Renaissance, Detroit (21-4) Returning starters: 4. Outlook: Super 25 players 6-6 Malik Hairston and 6-3 Joe Crawford led school to Detroit Public League title.

12. Mason County, Maysville, Ky. (35-2) Returning starters: 4. Outlook: G Chris Lofton (21.5 ppg), 6-4 Jarrod Litzinger (12.9, 8 rpg) and 6-3 Dustin Grutza (14 ppg) are back. Wesley Jones, a 6-0 junior, averaged 11.9 ppg.

13. Dominguez, Compton, Calif. (15-5) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: Jason Murdock (18 ppg), 5-9, runs offense. Transfers Brian Harvey (6-6 junior, Carson, Calif.) and Lamar Roberson (6-8, Baton Rouge) will help.

14. Mount Vernon, N.Y. (26-1) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: G Keith Benjamin (15.6 ppg) and 6-5 Dexter Gray (13.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg) provide leadership. Upgraded schedule includes trips to Hawaii, New Jersey and Delaware.

15. Aurora (Ill.) West (25-3) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Illinois-bound C Shaun Pruitt is healthy after an injury-plagued junior season.

16. Dudley, Greensboro, N.C. (22-6) Returning starters: 5. Outlook: The frontcourt of 6-7 Kevin Swinton (19.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and 6-5 sophomore William Graves (1 0.4 ppg) combined for nearly 30 points.

17. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (31-4) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: The defending New York State Class A Federation champions are paced by Super 25 guard Sebastian Telfair (27.1 ppg, 7.5 apg).

18. Fairfax, Los Angeles (28-4) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: G-F Josh Shipp (18.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) signed with UCLA, and 6-8 Jamal Boykin (15.5 ppg, 9 rpg) is considered the state's top junior.

19. Rice, New York, N.Y. (19-8) Returning starters: 2. Outlook: G Russell Robinson averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists as a junior.

20. Moeller; Cincinnati (23-4)

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lfeturning starters: 3. Outlook: Xavier-bound PF Josh Duncan (f~ ppg, g_g rpg) and 0-~SUDba-Wafffier (Akron) were standouts during a Divisi"on I state title run.

21. Provine, Jackson, Miss. (26-5) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Mississippi State-bound PG Charlie White (14.5 ppg, 7 apg) is the state's reigning Mr. Basketball.

22. Milby, Houston (29-7) Returning starters: 4. Outlook: Jawann McClellan (21.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 6-5 Larry Posey (15 ppg) are the top scorers.

23. Bloomfield (N.J.) Tech (23-5) Returning starters: 4. Outlook: Gs Courtney Nelson, Jason Wilson and DaShawn Dwight are four-year starters.

24. Timpview, Provo, Utah (23-2) Returning starters: 4. Outlook: The defending Class 4A champions feature 6-10 Chris Miles (11 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-1 Matthew Pinegar (4.5 apg).

25. Hightower, Missouri City, Texas (34-3) Returning starters: 3. Outlook: Nic Wise (8.5 ppg, 4.1 apg), the nation's top sophomore PG, already committed to Arizona.

About the rankings: USA TODAY's Super 25 high school boys and girls basketball rankings are compiled by Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of prep sports writers, analysts and coaches. Among the criteria considered are a school's strength of schedule, the quality of competition in its state or league and quality of its players.

Note: The next basketball rankings will appear Dec. 16 (boys) and Dec. 17 (girls).

Find this article at: http://www. usatoday .com/sports/preps/basketba1Vsuper25.htm

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Moeller, Mt. Notre Dame remain atop Div. I polls The Cincinnati Enquirer

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Moefier and Mount Notre Dame remained unanimous choices as No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I boys and girls basketball coaches' polls Monday.

Moeller (10-1) comes off a 7456 win over St. Xavier, the 18point margin being the Crusaders' closest margin vs. a Cincinnati team. Moeller's only loss is to Oak Hill Academy (Va.), USA Today's No. 1-ranked team.

Mount Notre Dame (9-0) comes off a 67-32 victory over McAuley. The Cougars' closest

.'

game was a 13-point victory over McNicholas in the opener.

North College Hill remained No. 1 in the Divisions II-IV boys poll, with Taft moving up one place to No. 2.

Madeira moved up to No. 1 in the Divisions II-IV girls poll, exchanging places with previous No. 1 McNicholas despite nei- . ther team losing last week.

Madeira is 10-0 and McNicholas, facing a tough schedule including several Division I teams, ' is 6-4.

Complete polls, 82

~~~Rf! bree!~~ ~~!~~d B~:~-~~, ..~ I

ANDERSON (6-31 - Patzwald 10 2 28, lmpellizzert 8 4

3-pointern: M 3 (West, Slusher 2); S 4 (Petern 2, Kimmey, Przywara).

I 0 2, Shoemaker 5 414, Veil 0 II, Snouffer 2 Andrew Brackman scored 21 of 222,6.Shingleton Totals: 26 13 73.

Lockland 60, New Miami 43 LOVElAND (7-51 - Partridge 1 0 3, Leever 5 6 18, his game-high 30 points in the first NEW MIAMI (3-6, 2-41 - Roberts 1 2 5, Allen 3 3 11, lngstrup 7 2 17, Ramsey 8 3 19. Totals: 17 411. half Friday night, powering top-ran- Anderson Davidson 4110, Shelley 3 2 8, Kimbell31 7, Williams 10 2. ............................... 17 13 24 19 -73 Totals: 15 9 43. ' ked Moeller to a 72-48 victory over Loveland··--·····---··-········---- 12 14 14 17 -57 LOCKLAND (9-1, 6-11 - Ogletree 5 2 15, Harrts 6 114, 3-pointern: Andernon (Patzwald 6, Jmpellizzert 2); Loveland 4 Sneed 13 5, Gibson 10 3,Collins21 7, Fa~ey 5314, Grtssom Alter. (lngstrup, Partridge, Leever 2).

1 0 2. Totals: 2110 60.

Moeller, which jumped out to a New Miami ...- ........-.............. 6 14 15 8 -43 21-4 first-quarter lead, got 13 points Mariemont 63, Taylor 35 Lockland ..............- - - · 13 15 20 12 -60 MARIEMOHf(4-5,2-4CHL)-Kelly60 17, Weber102, 3-pointern: NM 4 (Roberts, Allen 2, Davidson); L8 (Ogletree 3, from] osh Duncan -11 from the free Amis30 7, Duran 102, Shaver10 2, Kauffmann 32 8, Brown Harris, Gibson, Collins 2, Fa~ey).

5 414, Donovan 102, Hill2 2 7, Brock02 2. Totals: 231063. throw line.

MOELLER lll-1, 6-0 GCLI -Walther 3 0 8, Childress 3 I 7, Duncan 11113, Dierkern I 0 2, Trainor 12 4, Watt 10 2, Brackman 14130, Stovallll3, Farrell103. Totals: 2616 72.

ALTER (4-7, 2-5 GCLI- Jasper 2 0 4, Krystofik I 0 2, Roderer 3 0 9, Fortener 12 4, Dorow 3 0 6, Freshwater 4 0 11, Morgan 0 II, Riazzi 3 3 11. Totals: 17 6 48.

21 16 16 19 -72

Moeller··-········-·········-······-····

Allor--····----~---·····---··--···

4 13 22 9 -48 3-pointern: Moeller 4 (Walther 2, Brackman, Farrell); A~er 8 (Roderer 3, Freshwater 3, Riazzi 2).

La Salle 52, Badin 42 Senior forward Justin Orr scored 18 points to lead the Lancers.

BADIN (1·10, GCLN 11-71- Roesch I 0 2, Maus I 0 2, Strtttholt6214, MookO 11, Young408, Martini409, Pater3 0 6. Totals 19 3 42.

LASALLE 1111-0, GCLS !HI)- Mansoor 12 4, Wiegele 2 2 6, Aynn 30 7, Orr7118, Wiebell2 0 6, We~r2 2 6, Dooros 13 5. Totals 18 10 52.

Badin - - - - · 16 10 2 14 42

Salle-----····-····-····-··-

La 12 13 13 14 52 3-pointern: B 1 (Martini); L 6 (Orr 3, Wiebell 2, Flynn).

TAYLOR (1-9, o-&CHU- Streckfuss 21 7, Smith 7 218, Nicolaou 1 0 2, Wanstrath 0 11, Spilman 1 0 2, Brate 2 0 4, Toile 0 11. Totals: 13 5 35.

Mariemmt---·-----·--· 7 18 20 17-63 Taylor..............................-...... 10 11 5 9 -35 3-poirrtern: Martemont 7 (Kally 5, Amls, Hill); Taylor 4 (Streckfuss 2, Smith 2).

St. Xavier 62, McNicholas 54 ST. XAVIER- Lund 0 5 5, Wolf 8 4 22, Gedeon I 0 3, Deye 419, Morris I 0 2, Scales 4 0 8, GiblerO 6 6, Schoen holt 3 1 7. Totals: 2117 62.

MCNICIIOI.AS(S-5, GCL3-3)- Foltz3 2 9, Dyment3 9 14, Yards II 3, Ward 3 1 7, Rofiow 0 2 2, Carmel 1 0 2, Stamper I 0 2, Schlagheck 3 612, Bopple 0 11. Totals: 15 22 54.

SL 21 11 16 14 -62

Xavier,_...............................

McNicholas----..·--..---· 15 10 17 12 -54 3-pointern: SX 3 (Wolf 2, Gedeon); Me 2 (Foltz, Dyment).

Sycamore 62, Milford 53 MILFORD 12-8, GMC 1-61- Lehman 2 2 6, West 4 413, Lechner 0 11, Doolan I 0 2, Slusher 5 3 15, Buckner 3 5 11, Elsen 1 0 2, Salerno 113. Totals: 17 16 53.

SYCAMORE (5-4, GMC 4-31- Tepe 12 4, Luning 0 11, Klrkendall215, Petern 5 618, Konerrnan 10 2, Rhodes 10 2, Kimmey 216, Frank 4 19, Przywara 6 2 15. Totals: 22 14 62.

Millunl........................................ 8 19 9 17-53

Landmark Trinity 57, St. Bernard 39

ST. BERNARD 12-7, 1-51 ~ Grtder 2 0 4, Ralston 1 0 2, Crank 5 415, Williams 113. Rose 2 0 5, Cannady 2 0 4, Byrd 2 0 4, Edwards 1 0 2. Totals: 16 5 39.

LANDMARK (7-4, 4-2)- McGuffey 4 414, Snell5115, C Medley 1 0 2, Weber I 0 3, Rosser 4 1 9, T Medley 4 4 12, Wolford 0 2 2. Totals: 1912 57.

SL Bemanl ...................,_.......... 11 13 9 6 -39 l.andmart< ......._, _________, 17 11 12 17-57 3-pointern: SB 2 (Crank, Rose); L 7 (McGuffey 2, Snell 4, Weber).

Shroder Paideia 65, Clark Montessori 50 ClARK MONTESSORI IS-S, SOPI.1·31- Vila 0 11, Metz 10 2, Vissing I 0 3, Cuny 6115, Wyty 6 012, Hickson 0 2 2, Gibbs 53 13, Cook 1 o 2. Totals: 20 8 50.

SHRODER PAIDEIA (6-3, 4-0) -Johnson 2 0 4, Dean 3 0. 8, Nelson 8 2 19, Wilson I 0 2, 0. Cheatham 3 0 6, R. Cheatham 4 09,Jones 3 410, Walden 317. Totals: 27 7 65.

Clart< Montessori ..........,_,__ 8 16 12 14-50

Shrader Paldeia .....----····· 14 19 16 16 -65 3-pointern: CM 3 (VIssing, Cuny 2); SP 4 (Dean 2, Nelson, R. Cheatham).

Div. l's ·1 best boys teams to

~,!illtff The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller, ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I boys basketball area coaches' poll, will visit No. 2 La Salle at 8 p.m. today in the most anticipated game of the 2003-04 season.

Moeller (12-1 overall, 6-0 Greater Catholic League South) is the defending Division I state champion and has been a unanimous choice as the Enquirer's No.1 team all season.

La Salle (11-0, 5-0) has been ranked No.2 locally since mid-December.

Moeller is rated No.2 in the Associated Press state Division I poll and No. 12 nationally by USA Today.

La Salle is No.3 in the AP state Division I poll. The Lancers are the most recent Ohio school to beat Moeller, in the final game of the 200203 regular season.

Other notable games tonight: • No. 4 St. Xavier (10-3, 4-2 GCL) visits No. 7 Elder (7-4, 4-2) in a GCL South matchup at the "Pit." •No. 5 Winton Woods (12-1, 8-0 FAVC) hosts Anderson (8-3, 6-2) in a Fort An.cient Valley Conference Buckeye division game.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer- . .com

Coaches polls

No. 1 Moeller, No. 2¡La Salle primed for showdown Friday '/2 ,\(}"'I

The Cinc1nnati Iiz~uirer

"You look forward to playing games like this," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said.

"It's a chance to play the best, and it will take a supreme effort on ourpart." ¡ In Divisions II-IV boys, North College Hill retained the No. 1 spot with Taft close behind at No.2.

In Division I girls, Mount Notre Dame(12-0) solidified its hold on No. 1 by blasting fourtime defending Division III state champion South Euclid Regina 80-48 on Sunday. Princeton again is No.2.

In Divisions II-IV girls, Madeira and McNicholas remained Nos.1-2.

- Tom Groeschen

Moeller and La Salle are headed for a showdown Friday.

Moeller (12-1) remained a unanimous No.1 and La Salle (11-0) was No. 2 in the weekly Enquirer Division I boys basketball coaches' poll Monday, with the Greater Catholic League South rivals standing atop the rankings for the past month. Friday's game at La Salle already is sold out.

La Salle is the last Ohio team to beat Moeller, having knocked off the Crusaders 68-56 in the final regular season game of 2002-03.

Moeller then went 7-0 in postseason and won the state title, and is 9-0 this season vs. Ohio teams.

The Crusaders' only loss this season was 71-61 to Oak Hill Academy (Va.), USA Today's No.1-ratComplete polls, 82 ed team.

Enquirer file

Despite winning a state title last season, Andrew Brackman and Moeller are ranked No.2 in Ohio.

Insider

Hello?

Poll voters?

Not much respect for Moeller, MND Hate to get all territorial here, but there were some glaring injustices last week in the first Associated Press state basketball polls of the season.

Moeller, whose only loss was to USA

Tom

Groeschen

Today's

No.1-ranked Oak Hill Academy (Va.), deserves to be ranked No. 1 in Ohio's Division I poll but instead is No.2.

Mount Notre Dame, which has crushed all Division I girls opposition, should be ranked higher

than No.4.

But then again, it's our own fault The AP polls are based on votes of a statewide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, including yours truly.

So, really, what did you expect?

Much more, honestly.

Hello, people, does anyone remember Moeller won the Division I state boys title last season? Or that the Crusaders returned their top three scorers Gosh Duncan, Andrew Brackman and Bubba Walther) from that team? Has anyone noticed Moeller has destroyed its Cincinnati competition this year, with no local team coming within 18 points of the Crusaders?

Our statewide panel, comprised mostly of upstate voters, apparently sees Moeller lost and therefore ranks the Crusaders second.

Up there at No. 1 is Canton McKinley, 8-0 at the time of the voting.

Granted, it's tough for voters to rank teams outside their region, but how can anyone possibly rank ahead of Moeller right now?

At least USA Today has it right.

Moeller is No. 12 in that rating, the only Ohio team in the national poll.

The girls AP state poll is an even bigger joke.

Mount Notre Dame is only No. 4 despite wiruiing by an average of 35 points per game. The No. 1 team is Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, and we11 concede that since C-J is rated No. 2 by USA Today and Mount Notre Dame is No. 20.

But, Beavercreek at No. 2' Hey folks, Mount Notre Dame beat Beaver~eek by 25 points a few weeks ago. Back where I come from, 25 points is a lot. Anyone happen to notice that, or are you just voting "Beavercreek" because it won the state title last season? Wake up!'

Of course, the AP polls mean nothing once postseason rolls around. For now, they give us a (sometimes inaccurate) gauge of who are the best teams in the state.

They're good for the sake of argu,_ment, __ _ and you're getting some

A12 Northeast Suburban Life

Community Sports Editor Dave Schutte · 248-7570 dschutte@communitypress.com ·

Moeller looking up at La Salle in GCL

BY DAVE SCHUTIE SPORTS EDITOR DSCHUTTE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

The remaining league schedule favors Moeller, but the Crusaders must now win out to claim at least a· share of the Greater Catholic League South Division title. · This dilemma is the result of the Crusaders losing to undefeated La Salle 52-51 on a last second shot Friday at La Salle.

Moeller is 6-1 in the GCL with home games . remaining with Elder, Charninade-Julienne and La Salle while playing St. Xavier and Purcell Marian on the road.

La Salle hosts third-place St. Xavier, Purcell Marian and El.der while playing at Roger Bacon and Moeller.

The Sycamore Aviators continue to be the hard-luck.team of the 2003-04 season.

In another clos·e encounter, the Aviators fell to Oak Hills 64-

57 in double overtime on Thursday while losing to Princeton 62-60 last week.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (2-12 record) continues to struggle with the Eagles losing to Shroder Padeia 45-33 Tuesday before knocking off New Miami 45-26 Friday.

Talk about hard luck.

The Sycamore girls team also fits the description, losing to Colerain 54-53 in Greater Miami Conference action Saturday.

Seven Hills continues to roll with coach Todd Benzinger's Stingers downing Lockland and Summit Country Day to improve to 12-1 over ~ll and 8-0 in the· MVC. Indian Hill also has to be a frustrated team with the Braves bowing to Wyoming and Madeira last week.

The up-and-down Ursuline Lions recorded a victory over Purcell Marian to start the week, but ended it on a losing note, falling to Kettering Alter.

J!t9H ~~HOOLS

lfo:rfe;t;:Jo~ the rebound

Bubba Walther hit a jumper with 2 seconds left to give Moeller a 71-69 victory over Akron St VmcentSt. Mary in Akron Sunday.

Moeller, ranked No.2 in the state in Division I, rallied from 10 points down to beat the state's top-ranked Division II team. Andrew Brackman scored 21 points, Josh Duncan had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Walther finished with 17 points. The Crusaders, who lost to GCL rival LaSalle in their previous game, are off until Friday, when they play at Purcell ''1,1(_,_:_,_

C2 SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2004

WE

HIGH SCHOOLS

La Salle:

No.2 gets better of No.1 From PageCl

ron). But Orr, a Division I prospect himself and reportedly leaning toward Miami University, hit the shot of his life Friday.

After Orr worked free and hit his 3-pointer, Moeller's Walther got the ball inbounds and raced upcourt.

He launched a desperation shot from about 40 feet away that bounced off the rim, ending the game.

Moeller's players, trying to get through the happy La Salle crowd afterward, shook hands as best they could with La Salle players and then walked quietly to their dressing room.

"We'll take a serious look at what happened, and then we11 try and get better," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. 'They played us hard and they should get the credit. They have a very good player who just made a great shot."

The game was tight throughout, with La Salle grabbing a 2623 lead by halftime.

Moeller forged ahead 40-34 after three quarters, but La Salle kept hanging around despite lacking the three-headed firepower of Duncan (17 points), Brackman (15) and Walther.

Walther was held to six points, leaving him at 999 for his career.

"We played hard and put ourselves in a situation where we could win," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "We've got a lot of heart. They've maybe got better players than us, but we've got guys that just do what we say and do everything they can to win."

Moeller, with its extreme height (four players 6 feet 8 or taller), forced La Salle to shoot outside by playing zone defense most of the game.

The Lancers, who do have five players 6-5 or better but not the inside scoring punch of Moeller, fired up 28 3-point shots and made only seven. But the Lancers saved the biggest until the end.

At the end, Orr flashed to the top of the circle and, after dribbling from left to right, he rose up and buried the game-winner.

La Salle's pressure defense forced 19 Moeller turnovers,

The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Tyler Dlerkers goes to the hoop against La Salle's Zach Welter during their Greater Catholic League South game Friday night at La Salle. Dierkers scored seven points.

while the Lan :ers committed only nine. MoeLer held a 34-30 rebounding edge, led by Brackman's nine boards.

La Salle limited Moeller to only 27 field-goal attempts (Moeller hit just 11, for 40.7 percent), but the Lancers sent the Crusaders to the foul line 39 times (Moeller made 27).

La Salle was just 18-of-57 from the field (32 percent) and 9-of-15 from the line but won partially be-

cause of its plan to limit Moeller's field-goal opportunities.

La Salle had been the last Ohio team to beat Moeller, 68-56 in the 2002-03 regular-season finale at La Salle. Moeller since had gone 16-0 vs. Ohio teams - 7-0 on its state title run and then 9-0 this season.

"Naturally it feels great to beat a team that's nationally ranked, but now we've got McNicholas and that'll be a tough game,"

Fleming said. "We can't celebrate for too long, but we'll just try to keep winning our next game and then go from there."

MOEllER 112¡2,6-lCClSouthl- Duncan 31017.

Bracknan 3915, Walt~er 13 6. Chlldress2 0 4 GomezO 2 2. D erkers 2 3 7. Totals¡ 1!27 51. l.aSALLE(I2-0,6-0CCl)- Flynn 4 513. Orr6 216, MansoorO 11. Ruberg3 0 9 W1egele 10 3, Welter 216.

Dooros 2 0 4 Tota Is 18 9 52

......... ................................. 15 8 17 11-51 La Salle............................... 14 12 8 18-52 3-polnters M 2 (Duncan. Walther). L 7 (Ruberg3, Orr 2 W1ege1e. Welter)

,~"7!:,

u ~'!'f"f,

, I' )

•

/

..

--

/

'"

The Cincinnati Er.q~ircr/THOMAS E. WITTE

La Salle coach Dan Remlng directs his team recently during practice. Senior forward Justin Orr (center) says the Lancers have to be aggressive tonight against the Crusaders.

Bo)'S ~a_sketball

Cincy showdown: No. 1against No. 2 La,Salle takes aim at top-ranked rival Moeller I

.

By TotJ Groeschen /1;c Ci;;l'irmati Enquirer

It's the Game of the Y2ar to date in Cindnnati boys basketball.

Moeller (12-1 overall, &o Greater Catholic League South), r.mked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, visits No. 2 La Salle U1-0, 5-0) today at 8 p.m. 'The game was sold out several days ago, and t:1e teams have been ranked 1-2 since mid-December.

La Salle is the last Ohio team to beat Moeller, 68-56 at La Salle on Feb.14, 2003. That was the 20:.>2-03 regular-season finale, and Moeller then ran the table to win the state tiJe. "It's a great matcl:up, and we know they're the last Ohio team to beat us," Moeller coach Carl Kreme! said. 'They played well against us over there last year, and they've got a fabulous team again."

Still, (!ven La Salle agre2s Moelie:- is the clear favorite.

Moel.er is rated No.2 in the A£. sociated Press state poll ar..d .:-.!o.12 nationaLy by USA Today, with its on:Y Joss being to USA Today's N"o. 1-rated team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.;. !'vloeller has buried Cincir.nati opponents by an av~rage of 27, with no local team having come closer than 18 points.

'They're on the front page of the pat:er all the time, and they :ieserve lt," said Justin Orr, La Salle's star :serlor forward. "We'll just have to be aggn•ssive. Playing at home shc-uld help us, with our fans right on ·~op of the court."

No. 1 Moeller at No. 2 La Salle Tipoff: 8 p.m., La Salle High School

(sold out).

Records: rv:oeller 12-1, 6-0 Greater Catholic League South; La Salle 11-0, 5-0.

Noteworthy: La Salle is the last Ohio team to beat ~l.oeller (68-56 at La Salle, Feb. 14, 2003), which won the Division I state title last season.

La Salle is No. 3 in the AP state poll and has several big wins itself, having beaten No. 3 Hamilton and No.4 St. Xavier and also winning at No. 7 Elder's "Pit." Moeller is 16-0 vs. Ohio teams - including 9-0 this season- since losing to La Salle last Valentine's Day. The Crusaders are Jed by their "Big Three" of senior forwards Andrew Brackman (19.4 points per game) and Josh Duncan (16.5) and senior guard Bubba Walther (14.5), all Division I college recruits.

Brackman has signed with North Carolina State, Duncan with Xavier and Walther with Akron.

La Salle's Orr, nephew offormer Withrow and .:-.!BA player Louis Orr, is a Division I prospect and will announce his college choice this spring. Orr leads the Lancers with a 19.2 scoring average, the only La Salle player scoring more than 10 points per game.

'We'll play 10 or 12 guys, and we'll sub a Jot," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. ulf we have a chance

to beat Moeller, we'regoingtohave to rebound the ball. I don't know if we've got enough firepower to match them offensively. You have to limit their scoring opportunities."

Both teams are big. Moeller has four players 6-foot-8 or taller, led by the 6-9% Brackman and 6-8 Duncan. La Salle has five men players 6-5 or taller, including star football linemen Ryan Stanchek (6-5, 245 pounds) and :-.lick Dooros (6-5, 235) on the inside.

"La Salle certainly has the weapons," Kremer said. 'They've got great chemistry and a great go-to guy in Justin Orr. We know it's going to be tough to go in there and win."

Other notable games tonight include: •Also in the GCL South, No.4 St. Xavier (10-3) visits No. 7 Elder (7-4).

• In the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division, No.5 Wmton Woods (12-1, 8-0) hosts Anderson (8-3, 6-2). Wmton Woods leads the division, and Anderson is tied with Mason for second place.

• In the Cincinnati Hills League, Madeira, ranked No. 4 in the Enquirer Divisions II-IV poll, visits No. 9 Indian Hill.

• In the GCL .:-.!orth, McNicholas (5-5, 3-3), ranked No.3 in the Divisions II-IV poll, visits Dayton Chaminade-Julienne (6-6, 4-3) with , first place at stake in the league.

1

E-mail tgroeschen@er.quirer.com

HIGH!

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Moeller 74, St. Xavier 56

Double-double from Duncan dunks Bombers Crusqder scores career-high 30 ~0~~

By Tom Groesc~en The Cincinnati Enquirer

Josh Duncan looked like his old self Friday night, in yet another dose of bad news for Moeller basketball opponents.

Duncan scored a career-high 30 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Moeller, the Enquirer's No.1-ranked Division I team, to a 74-56 win over No. 5 St. Xavier before a sellout crowd at Moeller.

"And to think, some people were worried about] osh," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said, smiling.

'This was by far the most active and in the flow he's been this season."

Duncan, a 6-foot-8 all-state senior forward, led Moeller to the state title as a junior and was named Enquirer/Channel9 Player of the Year. But he had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason and missed most of preseason practice and just now is rounding into form.

"It's feeling pretty good right now," Duncan said after Friday's game. "I'd say I'm back to about95 percent. With therapy and with God's help, hopefully I1l be all the way back soon."

Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, averaged 18.9 points last season but his average this season was down slightly, to

.

15.4, entering Friday.

Fellow senior forward Andrew Brackman, who has signed with North Carolina State, has taken over the Moeller scoring lead at 19.4 a game and pitched in 19 points Friday.

The combination of the 6-foot-8 Duncan (two dunks) and the 6-9lh Brackman (four dunks) was too much for St Xavier, which otherwise held its own under the glass.

The Bombers forged a 26-26 tie in rebounding and also have some inside height and brawn, but not enough scorers the caliber of Duncan and Brackman.

St. Xavier was led by its star, junior guard Johnny Wolf, who had 22 points including several NBArange 3-pointers.

"We have to play a very good game to beat that team," St. Xavier coach Scott Martin said. "We make a few more shots, we're right in it. We feel good because we battled them on the boards, but we have to make a few more shots."

St. Xavier shot 42 percent for the game, Moeller 47 percent But a key stat was turnovers, with Moeller's half-court pressure causing 21 Bombers errors.

Moeller is rated No. 13 nationally by USA Today, and Duncan's performance only solidifies the Crusaders' status as Ohio's top-

The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Bubba Walther has his shot blocked by St. Xavier's Tyler Jutte. Walther finished with nine points.

ranked team.

Moeller was able to win comfortably despite the third member of its "Big Three," senior guard Bubba Walther, being held to nine points, about five below his average. But Walther was also busy on the defensive end, trying to help guard Wolf.

"We're going to have different guys step up on different nights, and that's what I feel good about," Kremer said. 'Tonight it was Josh, and it was good to see him look like that again."

ST. XAVIER (6-3, 2-2 GCL·SI- Lund 2 2 6; Wo~ 7 3 22; Gedeon 2 05; Oeye 10 2; Sweeney 1 02; Gibler3 814; Schoenhofi 2 0 5. Totals: 18 13 56.

MDnlER (10-1, S.O GCL..SI - Walther 3 3 9; Childress 12 5; Duncan 10 7 30; Watt 113; Brackman 6 7 19; Gomez 0 2 2; Dierkers 2 0 4; Stovall! 0 2. Totals: 24 22

74.

St. 9 10 23 14-56 Moeller-·-······--···-··--······.. 13 14 24 23 -74

Xavier..................................

3-pointers: X 7 (Wolf 5, Gedeon, Schoenhofi), M 4 (Duncan 3, Childress).

!'r

•·.1

ClO MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2003

HIGH SCHOOLS

Bluegrass-Buckeye Classic

Elder escapes Brossart

By Alex Blumer Enquirer contributor

Getting into a close game with an experienced Elder team isn't a good idea. Just ask Bishop Brossart.

Senior Thomas Sander had 16 points and six rebounds and classmate Joe Sunderman scored 10 off the bench as fourth-ranked Elder scored a 52-50 come-from-behind victory over Bishop Brossart at Cintas Center Sunday.

"Most of our games have been close this year, but we've been lucky enough to win them, which helps us in these kind of situa• tions," said Elder head coach Joe

Schoenfeld.

"We've got a lot ofleadership on this team," said Sander.

Brossart had a 34-26 edge with four minutes left in the third quarter after a Ryan Anderson 3pointer.

But the Panthers cut the lead to 40-38 when Sunderman nailed a 3 of his own as the third quarter ex-. pired.

Sunderman hit another 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter that reclaimed the lead for Elder at 41-40.

After Elder extended the lead to 50-44, the Mustangs fought back to cut the lead to 50-48 with 22 seconds left.

Once again, Sunderman stepped up, hitting two clutch free throws

that sealed the win for the Panthers.

'That was a big spark for us," Schoenfeld said of Sunderman's performance.

"Coach put me in and I wanted to make the best of it," said Sunderman.

"We played a team that was physical, and that took us out of what we want to do," said Brossart coach Willie Schlarman. nDER (5·1)- Schuerman 3 310, SanderS 0 16, Walters 2 I 6. Carey 3 0 6, Wood I 0 2, Sunderman 3 2 10, Sommerkamp I 0 2. Totals: 216 52.

BISHOP BROSSART (5-1)- Rhoden 6 214, Doyle I 0 2, McDole 3 2 8, Anderson 4 0 II, McCa~hy 50 10, Smith 113, Reilly 0 2 2. Totals: 20 7 50.

ru.

Brossa~

~

w

M

~

~

II 14 15 12 -50 3-pointers: 88 3 (Anderson 3); E 4 (Walters, Schuenman,

Sundenman 2).

Moeller 63, Ashland Paul Blazer 53 Top-ranked Moeller remained unbeaten, getting its usual strong outings from its three stars.

Josh Duncan scored 22 points, Andrew Brackman had 19 and six rebounds, and Bubba Walther added 13 ooints.

ASHIJIND PAUL BLAZER- McDavid 2 2 6, Howard 8 5 26, Johnson I 0 2, Hanccck 2 2 8, Cook 2 0 4, Thomas I 0 2, Miller 2 I 5. Totals: 18 10 53.

MOELLER (6-0) - Walther 5 I 13, Childress I 0 2, Duncan 6 7 22, Watt 12 4, Brackman 6 7 19, Dierkers 0 3 3.

Totals: 19 20 63.

Ashland 10 II 15 17 -53 Moeller 12 17 22 12 -63 3-pointers: A 7 (Howard 5, Hancock 2); M 5 (Walther 2, Duncan 3)

Higb school polls

Moeller's top ranking enhanced after close loss to national power La Salle (7-0) is No.2 in the Enquirer Division I boys poll. Moeller

and La Salle will meet Jan. 23 at La Salle, and also in the season finale Feb. 20 at Moeller.

In Divisions II-IV boys, North College Hill (7-0) and freshman star OJ. Mayo hold the No.1 ranking. McNicholas (4-3) is No.2.

In Division I girls, Mount Notre Dame (7-0) remains a unanimous No. 1, followed by Princeton (8-1).

In Divisions II-IV girls, McNiUSA Today. cholas is ranked No. 1. The Rockets 'We were within four points with (4-4) are playing a tough schedule three minutes to go, and then we as usual, with three losses to Divihad a three-pointer just miss," sion I schools. Division ill power Madeira (8-0) is No.2.

Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

Moeller remained a unanimous No. 1 in the Enquirer's weekly Division I boys basketball coaches' poll, despite its first loss of the season.

But it wasn't just any loss. Moeller (8-1) fell to USA Today's No.lranked team, Oak Hill Academy (Va.), 71-61in the :finals of the Glaxo Invitational in Raleigh, N.C., last week. Moeller, the defending Ohio state champion, is ranked No. 17 by

DIVISION I BOYS

Team 1. Moeller (9)

DIVISION I GIRLS

Points Team 90 1. Mount Notre Dame (7)"

Points

2. La Salle 80 3. Princeton 63 4. Hamilton 58 5. St. Xavier 53 6. Winton Woods 39 7. Western Hills 38 8. Lakota East 22 9. Elder 15 10. Mason 11 Others: Withrow 6, Lakota West 5, Oak Hills 5, Middletown 4, Lebanon 3, Anderson 2, Sycamore 1.

70 2. Princeton 61 3. Sycamore 50 4.Hamson 46 5. McAuley 28 6. Winton Woods 27 7.Merey 21 8. Seton 19 9. Ursuline 18 10. Hamilton 14 Others: Colerain 12, Lak9ta West li, Oak Hills 3, Anderson 3, St. Ursula 1, Hughes 1.

DIVISIONS II-IV BOYS

DIVISIONS 11-W GIRLS

1. North College Hill (5)

66 1. McNicholas (2)

2. McNicholas 59 3. Taft (2) 46 35 4. Indian Hill 5. Wyoming 34 (lie) Madeira 34 7. Reading 27 8. Turpin 25 16 9. Fenwick io. Purcell Marian ti Others: Woodward 8, Ripley 8, Deer Park 7, Clinton-Massie 4, Rnneytown 2, Roger Bacon 2, Jacobs 1.

51 2. Madeira (3) 47 3. Badin 44 4. CHCA 39 5. Wyoming 32 6. Roger Bacon 31 7. Purcell Marian 27 8. Georgetown 22 9. Taft (2) 20 10. Seven Hills 10 (tie) Ross 10 Others: Kings 9, Taylor 7, Mariemont 7, New Richmond 6, Waynesville 6, Eastern Brown 4, Western Brown 4, Fenwick 3, Landmark Trinity 3, Clark

Moeller 63, Elder 42

Moeller makes itself at home in rout of Elder

By Tom Groeschen The Ci!df)~ ~~q.~i~r Most years, Moeller dreads its annual visit to the Elder basketball "Pit" Most teams share that feeling, with Elder tough to beat at home.

But this isn't most years. And Moeller isn't most teams, especially this year.

The Crusaders, defending Division I state champion and rated No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I coaches poll, routed No. 7 Elder 63-42 before a near-capacity crowd at Elder Friday night Moeller's big three, guard Bubba Walther (19 points), forward Josh Duncan (18) and forward Andrew Brackman (12), led the way as usual for Moeller (5-0, 3-0 Greater Catholic League South).

Moeller fell behind early IX>, and the purple-and-white Elder rooting section was loving it "It was loud, and all those purple guys were yelling at us," Brackman said. "But we stayed composed and came back. I think our experience from last year helped us, because we haven't been in thatkindofspotthis year."

Moeller won its first four games this season by an average of 30 ·points, one reason Elder (4-1, 2·1 GCLS) entered as the underdog Friday despite playing in the Pit Elder had won 77 percent of its home games (168-50) since the "new" Pit - which replaced the smaller "old" Pit- opened 23 years ago.

Moeller brought an 8-15 lifetime record into the new Pit, typical of most opponents with losing records there. But Moeller beat Elder last year at the Pit en route ·to the state title.

"Elder came out ready to play, and we knew they would," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I ' don't think we executed well, but I think we competed hard. These guys are playing for each other, and I'm pleased with how we fought back from being down IX>."

The Cincinnati Enquirer/TONY JONES

Moeller's Patrick Watt drives past Elder's Nick Schuerman Friday night. Moeller rolled to a 63-42 win at the "Pit."

Moeller is ranked No.17 nationally by USA Today and favored to repeat as state champion with a tall, deep lineup loaded with college-level talent Moeller has three Division I college recruits in the 6-foot-8 Duncan (Xavier), 6-8 Brackman (North Carolina State) and 6-3 guard Walther (Akron), who signed in November.

Thomas Sander, Elder's star, scored 13 points but sat much of the first half with three fouls.

Elder coach Joe Schoenfeld was pleased that his team competed with Moeller, for the most part "I think Moeller played well, but I think we were also our own worst enemy," Schoenfeld said.

"We turned the ball over there a few times, and I think they had five

dunks in the first half."

After its early IX> funk, Moeller went on a 25-4 scoring binge to take a 25-10 lead.

Sander and guard Josh Walters led Elder with 13 points each, but the Panthers could get no closer than 10 points in the second half.

"I'll tell you this, Elder is going to be good," Kremer said. "I feel good about where we are, but right now, I wouldn't want to draw them in the tournament."

MOElJ.ER (S.O, 3-0 GCI.SI - Wa t~er 7 3 19. O""can 6418· De'i\?"i 3 2 8; B'ilckrnan5212; ,..an20 4: canerO II; S:c•a 0 II. TO'.M: 23 13 63.

EI..DER(4-1,2·1GCI.S)- Walte:s5213.Sc"uerman0 2 2; Ci!'fy 3 0 8; S."der 6 I 13; Sccnmer!.aC1P 2 0 4· 1,',':>'1 I 0 2. Tc:,·s: 17 5 42.

MooDer 14 13 16 20-63 Elder 8 8 11 15 -42 3·po ~e-s. '.' 4 (ll'a't~er 2. Duncan 2}. E 3 (Cil"€Y 2, Wa 1 t€~~.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com

C6 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003

FN

Boys basketball

Moeller hangs tough with nation's No. 1 But No. 17 Crusaders fall to Oak Hill Academy 71-61 The Cincinnati Enquirer

the Rockets, who rallied from a Classic final. three-point third-quarter deficit.

LEBANON (5·31 - Sm~h 0 2 2, A. Pritchard 7 2 16, T. 7117, Hammons6317, Howard 02 2, Langston31 Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Tony Pike and Nick Berter each Pntchard 7, Heileman 2 0 4. Totals: 261167.

KINGS (5-41- McCarty 0 11, Schnee 1 0 2, Begley 12 4, Wilson, Va., the top-ranked team in scored 11 points for the Blue Devils.

Matthews 1 0 2, Testerman 0 2 2, Kies 1 0 3, Heaton 54 14, the USA Today Super 25, survived MCNICHOlAS- Foltz 1 7 9, Dyment 5 417, Guy 10 3, Drake 011, Finuf12 4, McDonald 2!5, Burgess408. Totals: Ward 3 0 7, Cannell 0 2. Stamper 3 0 6, Schlagheck 3 3 9.

1613 46. its closest game of the season, a 71- Totals: 17 14 53.

Lebanon •••---··--·--·-· ..-··· 17 18 10 22 -67 (2-31- Curtis 113, Stidham 3 0 6, OVerbeck 2 61 victory over No. 17 Moeller in 2 7, READING Kings········-·-····----- 10 13 11 12 -46 Berter 4 21!, Pike 4 2 1!, Gertz 4 010. Totals: 18 7 48.

3-pointer.;: L 4 (T. Pritchard 2, Hammons 2); K 1 (Kies). the GlaxoKleinSmith Tournament McNicholas---·--···-··14 8 13 18 -53 at Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday night.

Reading-----····-·-·-· 17 6 15 10 -48 Boone Co. 64, Loveland 59 McNicholas 5 (Dyment 3, Guy, Ward); Reading 5 Moeller had cut its deficit to four 3-pointem: (Overbeck, Berter, Pike, Gertz 2). points with three minutes to play, Travis Rasso scored 13 points and Steven Schloemer had 10 for but was forced to foul. Josh Smith Beavercreek 58, and Rajon Rondo converted their Sycamore 56, 20T the Rebels in the Loveland Classic free-throw attempts for Oak Hill. consolation game. The Tigers' The smallest margin of victory Mario Kirkendall led the Avia- Charlie Ingstrup had 19 points. for Oak Hill (19-0) over any previ- tors with 15 points.

BOONE CO. (1().21- Fox 2 4 9, Herron 12 5, Laboiteaux 3 0 7, Combs 3 0 6, Coldiron 2 0 5, McFanand 4 0 9, ous opponent this season was 18 llfAVERCMEK (7 ·11 - Morns 3 0 6, Busch 5 3 !3, Schloemer 4 110, Rasso 53 13. Totals: 24 10 64.

Graham 3 0 7, Fruhwirth 13 6, Buschur 10 2, Tillman 112 24.

LOVE!AIID (4-31- Fomythe 113, Grant 1 0 2, Leever 52 points.

Totals: 24 8 58.

12, Fields 2 2 6, Cripe 2 3 7, lngstrup 6 619, Ramsey 4 210.

SYCAMORE (3-21 - Tepe 3 0 8, Langhorne 2 0 6, Totals: 2!16 59.

Andrew Brackman scored 20 Kirkendall Peter.; 4 3 14, Kimmey 2 0 6, Frank 1 0 2, Boone Co.--·---···-·--···-... 12 17 16 19 --64 points and Bubba Walther had 18 Przywara 271115, 5. Totals: 21 5 56.

Beavercreek ........................

15 13 20 6 2 2-58 Loveland ··-··~-·----- 12 12. 15 20 -59 for the Crusaders (8-1). Both were 3-pointem: Boone Co. 6 (Laboiteaux, Coldiron, McFanand, 5 22 10 17 2 0-56 named to the all-tournament team. Sycamore-----······· Schloemer, Herron, Fox); Loveland 1 (lngstrup).

3-pointem: Beav 2 (Graham, Fruhwirth); Syc 9 (Tepe 2, Langhorne 2, Peter.; 3, Kimmey 2).

MODJ.ER (8-11 - Walther 7 0 18, Childress 2 0 5, Duncan2 612, Dierker.; 13 6, Brackman 6 720. Totals: 1816 61.

OAK HIU (19-01 -Scott 0 2 2, River.; 3 1 B, Rondo 9 4 22, Wnghtll3, J. Smith 8 4 20, Johnson 7 216. Totals: 2814 71.

Moeller~···-····-······ 15 10 15 21 -61

..········........

H·-·-----··-·-·---··- 21 15 17 18-71 3-pointem: Moe 9 (Walther 4, Childress, Duncan 2, Dierker.;,

i)ak

Brackman); Oak 1 (River.;).

finneytown 55, Mount Healthy 54

Hamilton 74, Trotwood 60 Hamilton trailed by a point at the half but rallied as junior center Jason Miller scored seven of his 16 points in the third quarter.

TROTWOOD-MADISON- Boddie 8 0 18, Zackary 2 0 4, Mara bell 0 4 4, Underwood 10 2, Wnght419, Harris 4 2 11, Sander.; 5 2 12. TOtals 24 9 60.

HAMILTON (4-21- Lampley 13 5, Rice 10 2, Williams 5 0 10, Brooke 2 16, Huff 4 0 12, Myem-White 4 2 11, Allen 52 12, Miller 5 616. Totals 27 14 74.

Trotwood-Madison..................... 15 18 12 15 60

Madeira 61, CHCA 54

The Mustangs jumped out to a 24-6 first-quarter lead but had to hold off the Eagles .at the end.

CHCA cut the lead to five points with less than two minutes remaining, but Kirk Donaldson hit key free throws late in the game to clinch the victory for Madeira.

Finneytown trailed by seven CHCA (G-71- Simmons 50 15, Hoyer 2 1 6, Hall2 0 5, points with two minutes remaining, McAllister 4 0 10, Neichter 13 5, Andrews 3 4 10, Rlewald 11 but senior Mark Hawkins scored 3. TOtals: 18 9 54.

Hamilton-----~-··--·· 16 16 22 20 74 MADEIRA (5-31- Schwein 2 812, Rust 52 14, Gilligan 2 nine straight points, including a 3-polntem: TM 3 (Boddie 2, Harns); Hamilton 2 (Brooke, 2 B.A. Donaldson a11, HeiseiO 11, Moore 1912, Steur20 6, K. Donaldson 1 3 5, Strohmaier 1 0 2. Totals: !4 26 61. jumper with four seconds remain- Meyem-White).

CHCA ...........·-·-···---- 6 13 19 16 -54 ing to rally the Wildcats in the third- Northwest 90, Harrison 79 Madeira ···-···-··---- 24 15 10 12 -61 place game of the Paul Walker 3-pointer.;: CHCA 9 (Simmons 5, McAllister 2, Hoyer, Hall); Junior Jeremy Chappell totaled Madeira 7 (Rust 2, Gilligan 2, Steur 2, Moore).

Christmas Tournament Hawkins finished with 29 points 35 points, 10 rebounds and four LaSalle 70, Aiken 48 blocks for the Knights. and nine rebounds.

Senior Justin Orr had 22 points NORTHWEST (5-2, 3-1 FAVC Cl - Knott 1 0 2, B. Wand Newman led Mount Pleasant 6 0 12, Walker 10 3, Hubbard 2 4 9, Chappell12 7 and 10 rebounds for the lancers, Healthy with 16 points.

35, D. Pleasant 7 519, Wilson 2 510. Totals: 312190.

HARRISON (1-6,0-4FAVCBI-Johnson3 09, Lefever!

MOUNT HEALTHY (0.51 - Cass 2 1 6, Tensing 2 3 8, 1 3, Hotopp 7 2 18, Kuhlmann 7 0 14, Houchin 10 2 24, and junior Mike Wiegele added 10 Brunson !02,Sowels 103,Smith103, Bnggs52!2,Grant! points and 10 rebounds.

Haynes 2 6 11. Totals: 30 11 79.

0 2, Brown 1 0 2, Newman 5 6 16. Totals: 19 12 54.

FINNEYTOWN (3-41 - Under 1 4 7, Thornton 5 0 10, tlawkins !16 29, Jackson 1 0 2, Warner 1 0 3, SibM 12 4.

Totals: 20 12 55.

Mount Healthy ........................... 9 17 9 19 -54 Finneylown --·-····-··--····-·- 13 14 5 23 -55 3-polnter.;: MH 4 (Cass, Tensing, Sowels, Smith); F3 (Under, Hawl<ins, warner).

Northwest..

--··· 26 18 14 32 -90 13 17 16 33 -79

Hanlso•--··----··--·-

3-pointem: N 7 (Walker, Hubbard, Chappell 4, Wilson); H 8 (Johnson 3, Hotopp 2, Houchin 2, Haynes).

Lebanon 67, Kings 46

AlKEH(2·51- Burnett 7 015, Robinson 10 2, Harrell31 7, Wither.; 113, Kittles 10 2, Bell 0 11, Johnson 8 218. Totals: 215 48.

LASAUE (7-01- Mansoorl 0 2, Ruberg4 010, Wiegele 3 4 10, Aynn 1 0 2, Orr 9 3 22, We~er 7 0 15, Dooms 1 0 2, Teepe 1 3 5, Stanchek 1 0 2. Totals: 28 10 70.

Aiken ·······-···--··-····-·-·--··-- 8 20 14 6 -48 15 21 15 19 -70 3-pointer.;: Aiken 1 (Burnett); LaSalle (Ruberg2, Orr, Welter).

Tyler Pritchard led the Warriors LaSaDe..................................... with 17 points, and Austin Pritchard Nic Dyment scored 17 points for added 16 in the Loveland Holiday

McNicholas 53, Reading 48

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Wednesday, December 31, 2003 6:51AM EST

Oak Hill holds off Moeller

By AL MYATT, Staff Writer RALEIGH -- Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy took Cincinnati Moeller~s best shOt-- actually, three of them -- but managed to get to the buzzer of the 32nd annual GlaxoSmithKiine Holiday Invitational with a 7161 victory in the championship game on Tuesday night at Reynolds Coliseum.

With six minutes left, the Warriors seemed to be in control with a 57~44 lead.

But Moeller (8-1) got three straight 3-pointers from Bubba Walther, Andrew Brackman and Josh Duncan to close within 57-53 with five minutes to go.

The Crusaders were down 63-59 with 1:55 left with Brian Johnson and Dayshawn Wright sitting on the Oak Hill bench with five fouls.

"Aaron Scott and Anthony Wright did a good job of stepping up for us," Oak Hill coach Steve Smittl said. "Rajon Rondo played a great floor game, especially the last three or four minutes .... Luckily the lead didn't get below four points. I was worried. The crowd [6,000] was kind of getting behind them.

"If they had made another 3, the roof may have fallen in. But our guys did a good job of keeping their composure and finishing the game. We went to our delay. We had been practicing it all year and hadn't done it much. We made good use of it tonight."

A 3-point play by Josh Smith, the tournament MVP with 20 points and eight rebounds, put the Warriors ahead 66-59 with 1:44 left, and Smith made two of his next four free throws for a 68-59 Warriors advantage with 43.7 seconds remaining.

Oak Hill's Rajon Rondo, who had 22 points, is mauled by Moeller's Ryan Childress, left, and Andrew Brackman.

STAFF PHOTO BY JOHN L. WHITE

HOLIOAY INVITATIONAL (BOYS)

SATURDAY Oak Hill 76, Lee County 50 Georgetown Prep, Md. 66, Garner 59 Sheldon, Calif. 71, Millbrook

62

Rondo's two foul shots with 39.3 seconds to go gave Oak Hill a 70-59 lead and staved off Moeller's upset bid.

Cincinnati Moeller 59, Clayton 43

Rondo had 22 points and made the All-Tournament team, along with Johnson, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds before his exit 6rackman, who plans to play baseball and basketball at N.C. State, had 20 points and was named the event's most outstanding player.

MONDAY

''We played with great pride for our school," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. " ... Our kids believed we could win. We came out with the idea of winning and we never backed down. They're a great team --the best high school team I've ever seen."

The Warriors improved to 19-0 and should maintain their No. 1 ranking in high school basketball. It was Oak Hill's fifth Glaxo title but they were pushed by the Crusaders, ranked No. 17 nationally and the defending state

Oak Hill 67, Georgetown Prep, Md. 41 Cincinnati Moeller 76, Sheldon, Calif. 60 Lee 59, Gamer 44 Millbrook 71, Claytory 60

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champions in the largest division in Ohio. The Warriors have had just one game that was closer, an 80-75 win over Jackson (Miss.) Lanier.

"It's a tough loss but we'll rebound," Brackman said. "Losing this one will help us be closer. We'll work hard and we'll get better."

Josh Smith, who has signed with Indiana but may go straight to the NBA, said the Warriors anticipated a battle.

IUt:.~UAT

Oak Hill 71 , Cincinnati Moeller, 61 G'town Prep, Md. 59, Sheldon, Calif. 50 Lee County 58, Millbrook 45

"Coach said before the game that they were a hard-playing team so we knew we had to step it up," Josh Smith said. "We rested our legs during the day and got prepared. It really showed by us playing hard."

Clayton 80, Gamer 74

Oak Hill has never lost a game in the Glaxo tournament, winning titles in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000. Coach Smith said this year's team may approach the competitive level of the 1993 Warriors club which featured Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff Mcinnis, and won the first of the program's four national titles.

In other tournament games, Georgetown (Md.) Prep (9-3) got 20 points and 15 rebounds from 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert Jr. in capturing third place with a 59-50 win over Sacramento (Calif.) Sheldon (9-3), which was led by Duke signee DeMarcus Nelson's 14 points.

Lee County (9-3) finished 2-1 in the tournament after losing its opener to Oak Hill as the Yellow Jackets topped Millbrook 58-45 for fifth place. Dennis Godfrey had 18 points and nine rebounds for Lee and Adrian Woodard added 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Millbrook (7-6) got eight points from Xaverian McCall.

Clayton (8-3) won the seventh- place game, which tipped off at 9:20a.m., 80-74 over Gamer (6-6), as sophomore Mclntoche Alcius led the Comets with 33 points and 21 rebounds. Clemson signee James Mays had 27 points and 14 rebounds for the Trojans.

The AII-Tournamentteam also included Walther, Hibbert, Tommy Moss of Georgetown, Nelson, Robert Rose of Sheldon, Woodard, Mack Montgomery of Clayton and Mays. ŠCopyright 2003, The News & Observer Publishing Company. All material found on (including , , , , and ) is copyrighted The. News & Observer Publishing Company and associated news services. No material may be reproduced or reused without explicit permission from The News & Observer Publishing Company, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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J\1P,~ller

By Tom Groeschen Tlze Cillci11nati E11ql1irer

Moeller may be the most unanimous No.1 preseason choice in the history of unanimous No.1 choices.

The defending state champion Crusaders, with their top three scorers back, are No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches poll. Moeller is No. 20 in the USA Today preseason poll.

In Divisions 11-IV, threetime defending Enqttirerpoll champion Roger Bacon again is ranked No.1. North College Hill, led by OJ. Mayo and Bill Walker, is No. 7 in the Divisions II-IV poll.

Moeller returns 6-foot-8

begins title defense at No. 1

senior forward Josh Duncan (18 ppg), Andrew Brackman (16 ppg) and 6-3 shooting guard Bubba Walther (12 ppg) for its title defense.

"I would love to be in a position we where could sneak up on people," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

Duncan "But we realize that isn't going to be the case this year. The challenge to our team is to be that much better, because every game we play will be big."

Princeton, led by returning all-city guard Mark Dor-

ris, is ranked No. 2 in Division I. Next are St. Xavier, La Salle and Hamilton.

In Divisions II-IV, Roger Bacon coach Bill Brewer was surprised to learn the Spartans are No.1 again, given the loss of Enquirer Division II player of the year Monty St. Clair and all-city guard David Johnson.

"I appreciate the fact that coaches respect our program," Brewer said. "However, because of our lack of experience, we may struggle to win early. I think we have a chance of being there at the end."

E-mail tgroesclten@enquirer.com

Division I poll

Divisions 11-IV

Rank-Team Points 1. Moeller (10) 100 2. Princeton 82 3. St. Xavier 68 4. La Salle 65 5. Hamilton 58 6. Withrow 55 7. Winton Woods 24 8. Elder 23 9. Mason 19 10. Lakota West 15 Others: Lakota East 13, Oak Hills 8, Anderson 3, Hughes 2.

Rank-Team Points 1. Roger Bacon (5) 87 2. Reading (2) 65 3. McNicholas 50 4. Wyoming 45 (tie) Badin 45 6. Madeira 44 7. North College Hill 41 8. Purcell Marian 37 9. Woodward 36 10. Indian Hill 21 Others: Taft 18, Rnneytown 17, Clinton-Massie 16, Clermont Northeastern 6, Fenwick 5, New Richmond 4, Mariemont 3, Turpin 3, Deer Park 2, CHCA 2, Summit Country Day 2, Cincinnati Country Day 1.

Four pages of boys basketball previews inside, C4-7

SPO

IHI: CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Higb school basketball

Some all-stars trying to catch coaches' eyes 4/)~~rJ ~hio-Kentucky j

By Ryan Ernst The Cincinnati Enquirer

Derrick Rhoden usually doesn't have to work hard to get attention.

When you're 7 feet tall, it usually finds you pretty easily.

But at tonight's Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game at Thomas More College, the Bishop Brossart senior is trying to turn heads- more specifically, the heads of college coaches.

For players like Rhoden, who have yet to commit to a school, the event offers a final chance to shine in front of college coaches before the recruiting process ends.

The late national letter of intent signing period for basketball is April14-May 19. ''When I got the call (to play) I was real excited," Rhoden said.

"Basically, I'm just really excited to show coaches I can play."

The 7-footer was joined on the team by Boone County center Travis Rasso, who broke his wrist and won't be able to play. Rhoden said the Norse are among the top programs showing interest in him.

On the Ohio team, Moeller's Josh Duncan and Bubba Walther

games a showcase for seniors

All-Star Game What: Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game When: Tonight. Girts tip off at 6 p.m.;

boys tip off at 8 p.m.

Where: Thomas More College

will team with Princeton's Mark Dorris to represent Cincinnati.

Duncan and Walther have committed to Xavier and Akron respectively, but Dorris said he's still "weighing his options." Despite the fun aspect of playing in an all-star game, Dorris said he still has business to take care of.

"Anytime you play a sport, it's competitive," he said. "I think my competitive spirit is just going to take over and make me want to outshine everyone else. Everyone has that, especially in a game like this. " ... If (coaches) like it, they like it."

Princeton coach Paul Andrews, who will assist Moeller's Carl Kremer in coaching the Ohio squad, said Eastern Kentucky has shown interest in Dorris, along with some Division II programs.

But he said a big performance to-

Dorris

Rhoden

night could help his star guard.

"I think it's a big enough all-star game and enough people know about it that it can really help," Andrews said. "I don't know how many coaches have been coming to it, but there should be more than a few."

Since the game is a non-sanctioned event, no Division I coaches are allowed to attend, but organizers expect between 15 and 20 lower level college coaches.

In the girls' game, Nicole Chiodi (Newport Central Catholic) and Tangie Sellers (Boone County) will represent Northern Kentucky.

They are committed to NKU and Eastern Illinois respectively.

Danielle Duncan (Princeton) and Usa Rusche (Oak Hills) will play for Ohio. They have signed with Wright State and Ball State.

Greater Catholic League: South Division

La Salle has height; Moeller has veterans

03

Enquirer file art

Outstretched 6-6 defender Tim Teepe (left) will anchor La Salle's frontcourt, which includes five other players 6-5 or talle~.

Schools listed in order of predicted finish

Moeller COACH: Carl Kremer (213-102 overall)

LAST SEASON: 23-4 (9-3 GCL) KEY PLAYERS: G Bubba Walther, F Josh Duncan, F Andrew Brackrran otmOOOK: The Crusaders return 11 of 14 players from last season's Division I state champio1ship team. 'Mth three players signed to play Division l1n college next year, the personnel isn't lacking. If Kremer has one concern, it's thct half his players were on the Crusacers football team that advanced to the seco'ld round of the playoffs. So fatigue and lack of practice time could cause an early hiccup or two, but look for Moeller to make another march toward Columbus.

St. Xavier COACH: Scott Martin (114-59 overall)

LAST SEASON: 14-9 (8-5 GCL) KEY PLAYERS: GJohnny Wolf

players are athletic, so look for the Lancers to press and hit the offensive glass, as , OUTLOOOK: Though aii-GCL first- well. Orr and Rynn are the best bets to teamer Wolf returns, Martin must re- step up and make big plays since John place three seniors who also earned all- Thinnes graduated. Their development league honors. If he can't, look for might have the biggest impact on whether teams to smother Wolf on the perimeter La Salle can get past the sectional and and force St. X to win with other weap- advance in the postseason. ons inside, which could be a tall order for the small Bombers lineup. Knowing the league plays tough defense top to bottom, Martin hopes for balanced COACH: Joe Schoenfeld (182-97 scoring and aggressive rebounding on overall) both ends of the court.

LAST SEASON: 13-10 (5-7 GCL) KEY PLAYERS: FThomas Sander, G Craig Carey, G Nick Schuerman OUROOOK: At 6-8, Sander could COACH: Dan Reming (182-137 over- lead the GCL in rebounding for the second all) straight year. His supporting cast consists LAST SEASON: (16-6, 7-5 GCL) of seven other players 6-4 or taller, so KEY PLAYERS: F Justin Orr. F Colin look for Elder's inside game to secure vicFlynn tories. With his perimeter shooting, Carey OUTLOOOK: Reming has six 6-foot-5 could force defenses to extend, while players, so he hopes to use the team's Schuerman brings the typical staples a size to outrebound opponents. But the solid point guard should provide.

Elder

La Salle

Up Front Must reads inside

)D~Wjr

Moeller poised atop basketball's top area teams Josh Duncan, Moeller's ~ foot-7 standout, hopes to lead the Crusaders to another Division I basketball championship this season.

Check out which area teams have a shot this year in the Enquirer's fourpage boys basketball preview, which focuses on the top teams and the best players.

SPORTS C4-7 ¡ ¡

fHE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

FN

SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2004 Bl

Ohio high school insider

Moving DI, III finals to Canton necessacy Well, at least it won't be snowing. We think.

The Ohio High School Athletic 1\ssociation has moved the Divisions I and ill state baseball playoffs from Columbus to Canton this spring, because of a potential conflict with NCAA tournament games the same weekend (Tune 3-5) at Ohio State's Bill Davis Field in Columbus.

Instead of a 100-mile trip to Columbus, Cincinnati teams face a 230-mile drive to Canton for the DI and ill playoffs. Divisions II and N will remain in Columbus at Cooper Stadium.

Canton, way up there in Northeast Ohio, is quite a hike for Cincinnati teams. But Canton also has

been good to us lately, including Elder having won two straight Division I state football titles there (Fawcett Stadium) and St. Xavier winning its sixth consecutive boys' state swimming championship there (Branin Natatorium).

The Elder footTom ball team won in snow (2002) and cold (2003) in Canton. And, Panthers fans remember that the school's last state baseball title, in 1999, was won at Canton's Thurman Munson Stadium.

Groeschen

But no, Cincinnati fans, the 2004 baseball switcheroo is not another 0 HSAA conspiracy against Southwest Ohio. Yet some see it as another perceived injustice, such as the OHSAA holding the state football playoffs in Stark County (Canton/Massillon) since 1991.

For baseball, the OHSAA also looked at minor league fields in Dayton, Toledo and Akron as alternate state tournament sites this year. Geography buffs will note that Dayton·is only 50 miles from Cincinnati, so the OHSAA did 1Iy to look south.

Nothing against Canton. It's just• the long drive. ''We won the state there in '99," Elder coach Mark Thompson said.

"But the problem is, we played Cuyahoga Falls in the finals, and they're right down the street."

No, it's not a level playing field.

But in this case, there was little else the OHSAA could do.

PIKE 10 UC: Reading football quarterback Tony Pike will sign with the University of Cincinnati as a "graysqirt" scholarship player this winter, but for now he's back to baseball again.

The 6-foot-6 Pike, a first team Division N all-state football quarterback and coaches' all-district basketball choice, is playing baseball this spring after sitting out last season. He is hitting .375 as a shortstop/third baseman, and Reading coach Pete Muehlenkamp also is

easing the big right-hander into the pitching rotation.

"He could be a real wild card," Muehlenkamp said. "As hard as he throws, he could really be a find."

As for UC, Pike will enroll in school part-time this fall and then sign a full scholarship for football in January 2005. Thus the ~grayshirt" tag, used to describe delayed enrollment. When colleges go over the limit on scholarships annually, grayshirts can sign late by putting off school and football for a few months.

"It's an oral commitment from both sides, for now," Pike said. "I'll be able to go to meetings and watch practice this fall, but I won't be able to actually practice yet."

last fall, Pike overcame a shoulder injury to throw for 2,668 yards and 29 touchdowns in leading Reading to the regional semifinals.

"I just figured I'd come out one more time for baseball and have some fun," Pike said. "I had played ever year until last season, so it's great to be back."

BOHNE HONORED: Moeller golf coach Rick Bohne has been elect:e« to the Ohio State Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 17 years as Moeller coach, Bohne's teams have qualified for five state tourna" ments and won five GCL South titles, seven sectional titles, one district title and one city title.

Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com

High school basketball! No. 1 Moeller falls ¡to No~ La Salle

ancers .po e a oe â&#x20AC;˘ ID rusa ers' armor

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Meeller's Patrick Watt is guarded by La Salle's Darenn Mansoor during Friday night's game at La Salle.

?J~j;ttrey.~~~,;~!}~!~elifts La_~!~~~w~?M ?~:2~d~~ The Cincinnati Enquirer

With one shot, La Salle star Justin Orr punctured Moeller's aura of invincibility and sent shockwaves through Ohio prep basketball Friday night.

Orr, nephew of former NBA player Louis Orr, hit a 3-point shot from the top of thekeywithsevenseconds left, lifting No.2 La Salle nast No. 1 Moeller 52-51 in

two top-ranked Division I teams.

A sellout crowd of about 1,000 packed into La Salle's steamy gym for the Greater Catholic League South game; the most anticipated game of the 2003-04 Cincinnati boy$ basketball season.

Hundreds of fans stormed onto the court atterward to mob Orr and La Salle nlavers.

for whoever could get open Madeira rallies in fourth quar- . to take the shot. ... I'm kind ter to win at Indian Hill. C2 of shocked myself right now."

Moeller, the defending Orr led La Salle with 16 Ohio Division I state champoints and six rebounds, pion, had been beating Cinand Colin Flynn scored 13 cinnati-area teams by an points. average of 27 points and "It's the ultimate feeling, had lost only to Oak Hill beating a great team with Academy (Va.), USA Tothe last shot," Orr said, day's No.l-rated team. shouting above the din at Moeller entered as the midcourt shortlv after the No.12-rated team national-

Crusaders and La Salle rank Nos. 2-3 in the state, respectively.

Moeller has been called one of the greatest teams ever to take the floor in Cincinnati, with three Division I college signees in forwards Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State), Josh Duncan (Xavier) and guard Bubba Walther (AkSee LASALLE. Pae:e C2

MOELLER WINS GCL RIVALRY

I

Moeller's Josh Duncan scored a game-high 30 points in the No.1 rusaders' 7 4-56 victory over Greater Catholic League rival No. 5 St. Xavier. Here, Duncan scores two of his points against the Bombers' Kyle Gibler. Duncan added 10 rebounds during the sellout game. Coverage, C9

La Salle unseats Moeller as No.1 La Salle, fresh off Friday night's 52-51 upset victory against Moeller, replaced the Crusaders for the top spot in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll Monday.

"That's really nice, the kids have worked hard. To be ahead of teams like Moeller, St. Xavier, Princeton, and Hamilton, is an honor," said coach Dan Fleming, whose Lancers (12-0) received nine of the 10 first-place votes and expect to improve on their No. 3 state ranking.

Moeller (13-2) slipped to No. 2 in the area poll and likely W:-\1

Complete polls, 82 drop from its No. 2 spot in the state poll. Hamilton, St. X and Princeton round out the top five. ¡ Moeller, ranked 12th in USA Today's national poll, needed a rally and last-second shot Sunday to beat Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 71-69.

Undefeated Mount Notre Dame (13-0) has a firm grasp on the top spot in the girls Division I poll, receiving nine of 10 firstplace votes.

- The Cincinnati Enquirer â&#x20AC;˘

t/1~/Dt./

,

ENQUlRERlCHANNEL 9

The Enquirer and WCPO-TV (Channel 9) will recognize the Tristate's top boys and girls basketball players for 2003-04 with Player of the Year awards.

The Enquirer and Channel 9 will feature the region's top players. At the end of the season, a panel of reporters will consult with local coaches to name one male and female Player of the Year.

Here are this week's 10 candidates for our Watch Ust:

BOYS Robby BroWII, Marienlont, Sr., C He is averaging 17.8 points and leading the city with a 12.9 rebounding average, leading Mariemont on a three-game win streak after an 0-5 start.

Josll Dullcan, Meeler, Sr., F The reigning Enquirer/Channel 9 Player of the Year had 30 points ¡and 10 rebounds to lead the area's No. 1-ranked Crusaders past rival St. Xavier 74-56.

Chris KRiglrt, W"lllnw, Jr., C/F Had a triple-double with 43 points, 24 rebounds and 12 blocked shots in a 91-82 overtime win over Dayton Dunbar.

Warren W"llalls, Halllles, Sr., G Led the Bulldogs to big wins over Holy Cross and Conner, scoring 15 and 18 points, respectively.

Midlael ZiRinenlaR,

Newport Celitral Catllolic, Sr., G Rnished with 23 and 17 points in a pair of NewCath wins.

GIRLS Jessica Benisoa, 'Hillllitou, Sr., F She leads the Greater Miami Conference in scoring (17.3 points per game) and is second in rebounding (8.5). ¡

l.uen Branstn, McNichtlas, Sr., G A Youngstown State signee, she is averaging 10 points, 5.1 assists and 2.0 steals for the top local Division II team.

BritAey Brooks, Hanison, Jr., G She ranks second in the FAVC Buckeye in scoring (16. 7), leads the league in free throw shooting (85.5 per cent) and averages 3.2 steals and 3.2 assists.

Heatller Hassltcll, Heritage, Fr., C Tallied 31 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks in a 61-52 win over Silver Grove.

Tamara Sneed, Newport, Fr., F Scored 21 points, 19 in the first half, to keep the Wildcats close with top-ranked NewCath.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24,2004

SECTION

8

Moeller emphasizes team Crusaders' focus is all about winning

By Marc Lancaster Post o;taff reporter

It happens every fall in college gyms across America.

The touted freshman, used to averaging 20- or 30-something points every time he takes the court, realizes what he has gotten himself into. The moment ofrecognitionmaycome quickly or gradually, but it happens to just about everyone.

For every C'.-armP.lo Anthony, who can step in and play a starring role as a freshman, there are a few hundred recruits who have to alter their entire approach to the ~arne once they arrive in college. No long-

er the flrst option, they often fail to make the list of options altogether when starting their career at the next level.

"A lot of kids who are the primary scorer on their team, that's their biggest adjustment when they move up," said Moeller High School boys' basketball coach Carl Kremer, who knows a thing or two about the process.

There are four former Crusaders playing Division I basketball this season Mike Monserez at Butler, Nick Monserez at Lehigh, Matt Sylvester at Ohio State and Clint Nagel at Coastal Carolina. The last three were seniors together at Moeller in 2001, :>u th~y learned a little something about spreading the ball around. The same lessons are being taught this year.

Led once again bye trio of Division I signees, the Crusaders are in the midst of

another memorable season as they attempt to defend their Division I state title.

The setup is familiar to Moeller fans, with the "Big Three" of point guard Bubba Walther (Akron), swingman Josh Duncan (Xavier University) and center Andrew Brackman (North Carolina State) at the forefront of a unit that has lost only twice this season.

Moeller, the state's second-ranked Division I team, lost, 52-51, Friday night to third-ranked and unbeaten La Salle (12-0, 6-0 GCL South).

As ifthatwasn't enough, the Crusaders (12-2, 6-1) pack up and head to Akron today for a Sunday afternoon showdown with St. Vincent-St. Mary's. LeBron James may be gone, but SVSM remains the

See MOELLER on SB

KEN STEWART/for The Post

Moeller's Bubba Walther is one of three Crusader seniors who will be playing Division I college basketball next season.

Moeller: Plays - ...

9c~~?ilh s~~~f~~o:~state's top-ranked team in Division II. "Going into the season, our big thing was playing the best possible schedule that we could play," Kreiner said. "It's never ¡ been our goal to have the best overall record. We're not trying to win a city championship. Our goal, simply, is to be the best we can be in March. Now if we win games in doing that, that's great."

It's a mentality familiar to college basketball fans, with everything from November through February serving as buildup for the madness to follow, and Moeller seems to thrive on the attitude that there's always something bigger out there to chase.

Team goals are always the overriding focus at Moeller, but even Kremer acknowledges that the way the Crusaders go about their business can't help but prepare those who will go on to play in college to excel when they get there. That's why no one bats an eye when Duncan, the lone junior on the Division I Associated Press all-state team last season, isn't the high scorer or rebounder on his own team.

His averages in both categories are down from last year's numbers (18 to 16.5 in points and 9.9 to 6.2 in rebounds) as Brackman's stats have improved to 19.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Kremer believes that statistical trend is rooted in the decision to flip-flop the two seniors' responsibilities this year. Duncan's 6-foot-8 frame is equally suited to play inside and outside, and he has come out from the low post to play on the perimeter, while the 6-9 Brackman has gone into the paint. It's a change that has worked well for the Crusaders on the court, but the rea;onine: behind it nn a bit deeoer.

son) knee surgery, practiced only one time before playing in a game, so we were a little bit uncertain as to what Josh's ability level would be the first half of the season," Kremer said, "And the fact that Brackman was going to play four in college and Duncan was going to play two or three in college, it seemed like a good move for us to make for the kids, too."

So far, everyone is pleased with the results. Heading into Friday's game against the Lancers, the Crusaders were averaging 70.4 points per game, and their three stars were contributing 50.4 of those points, with Walther checking in at 14.5 per game. Kremer said he believes any of the three would easily average 25 points on most high school teams, but the players don't seem to have a problem with the setup.

"I'm fine with it, it's a team game," Duncan said. "We're just so good this year in different places that anybody's likely to have a big night. As long as we're playing as a team, that's all I care about."

That type of attitude is exactly what college coaches are looking for. They sort through hundreds of players with similarly impressive stats as they make their rounds on the recruiting trail, but it's the way those players approach the game that makes the difference.

On that front, Xavier coach Thad Matta couldn't be more excited about having Duncan join his program next season.

"Any time you are fortunate enough to get a kid from a great program, it definitely makes things easier for the transitional stage of coming to college," Matta said. "That's been a huge catalyst for the success that Moeller's had. Carl's done a great job of putting the team first and his olavers have bou!!'ht into it."

1

¡High school basketball! No. 2 beats No. 1

Moeller rolls in La Salle rematch Hamilton wins GMC title The crri!/JP:luirer Moeller got its revenge and a share of the Greater Catholic League South title.

Playing without injured star Justin Orr, top-ranked La Salle just couldn't match the second-ranked Crusad- ers, who got 30 points from senior forward Andrew Brackman to win 74-61 at Moeller on Friday night, avenging an earlier loss to the Lancers.

It was the first loss of the season for La Salle (19-1, 11-1 GCLS). Moeller finishes 18-2, 11-1.

The Crusaders rolled to a 21-point lead in the second quarter (40-19) and cruised.

In another top matchup, I..atez Williams led Hamilton to the Greater Miami Conference title as the Big Blue beat Princeton 50-48 in overtime.

Elsewhere Friday, North College Hill freshman sensation 0.]. Mayo was one steal from a quadruple-double. He had 49 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and nine steals in a win over Cincinnati Christian.

Stories, C:l2

Thomas honored Mel Thomas, a 5-foot-9 senior guard for Mount Notre Dame, was named to the McDonald's All-American gir1s basketball team. Thomas, who The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER averages 20.5 points a game, is the second Cincinnati-area Moeller's Josh Damcan dunks over La Salle's Tim Teepe in the sec.ond quarter of gir1 to earn the honor. C:l2 their game at Moeller Friday. Duncan finished with 18 points.

.

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The Cincinnati Enqutrer/ JEFF SWi!IIGER

r:.oellor's Ja!:h tuncnn drives past Josh Rot! ow for two of his 12 points Tuesday night in the Crusaders' 74-45 victory over McNicholas. Moeller is ranked No.1 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, and McNick is No. 2 in :he Divisions II-IV poll. Co\"Craao, 85

('

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPORTS

Moeller 74, McNicholas 45

Crusaders add to their lofty reputation

By Tom Groeschen TI:e Cincinnati Enquirer

McNicholas coach Pat Stricker has joined the list of coaches who rate Moeller one of the best boys basketball teams they've ever seen in the Cincinnati area.

Stricker's Rockets lost 7445 at MoelleronTuesdaynight, with the Crusaders' "Big Three" of forward Andrew Brackman (24 points), guard Bubba Walther (16) and forward Josh Duncan (12) the top scorers, as usual.

"I can't think of any team rve ever seen that's any better, up and down the line," said Stricker, a 20year veteran of the local prep scene. 'They're big, they're strong, and they can move. They've got the entire package."

Moeller (9-1), the defending Division I state champion, has lost only to USA Today's No. 1-rated t~am.

Oak Hill Academy (Va.), this season. Moeller is No. 13 in the latest USA Today ratings, released Tuesday.

Lakota West coach Mike Mueller, after a 28-point loss to Moeller in the season opener, said the Crusaders might be the best team he has seen in 32 years as a prep coach. Stricker hasn't been around quite that long but has seen most of the area's great teams since .!lis days as a player on two Mc:-lick state tournament teams (1984 and '85).

"We won the (Enquirer) city title once, but I don't know if our team could have played with these guys," Stricker said. "We were good, but not like this. I'm just happy with the way our guys competed tonight."

For Moeller, it starts with the 6foot-9 senior Brackman (signed with North Carolina State), 6-8 senior Duncan (signed with Xavier) and 6-3 senior Walther (Akron).

Ryan Childress, a 6-8 junior forward, and Pat Watt, a 5-10 junior guard, round out the starting lineup. And there's a deep bench, evidenced by 11 players scoring Tuesday.

Moeller is ranked No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, and McNickis No.2 in the Divisions II-IV poll. Moeller is in the Catholic big-school Greater League South and McNick in the smaller-school GCL North, but the league counts all "crossover" games in the standings.

More bad news for the GCL: Moeller is more determined than ever after a 71-61loss to Oak Hill Academy last week at a holiday tournament in Raleigh, N.C. Moeller was within four points of the lead late in the game. Moeller teams have never lacked for hustle, but Crusaders players say they now will amp it up even more.

"We found out that our height and talent aren't going to cany us like it sometimes does around

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Andrew Brackman (left) puts up a shot over McNicholas' Josh Roflow Tuesday. Brackman finished with 24 points.

here," Walther said. "We learned we have to keep playing hard and be fundamental. If you play hard and have talent, you can beat anybody."

Moeller started a bit slowly Tuesday, with McNick hanging in at an 8-7 disadvantage after a few minutes. But then suddenly it was 22-7, with Moeller's trapping defense creating numerous turnovers and conversions. It was 24-11 after one quarter, and though McNick kept playing hard, the game essentially was over.

"It's a little hard to pass out of those traps with two 6-8 guys looking down at you," said Stricker, whose tallest player is 6-6.

Moeller has four players 6-7 or bigger.

"I was a little concerned after our trip last week, thinking we might have a little lull," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I was pleased with our defensive intensity, especially early."

No Cincinnati-area team has come closer than 21 points to Moeller. The Crusaders next face a big GCL test Friday, when Division I No.5 St. Xavier visits Moeller.

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E-mail tgroesclzen@enqllirer.com

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Boys basketball

Moeller's Duncan might miss opening weekend

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Defending state champion Moeller is uncertain if star forward Josh Duncan (knee surgery) will be ready for the annual i-wireless Invitational Hoops Classic this weekend.

Moeller, rated No. 20 nationally in the USA Today preseason poll, opens the season vs. Lakota West on Friday (6:30 p.m.) at Xavier's Cintas Center. Moeller also plays on the second night of the i-wireless event, vs. Lebanon on Saturday (8 p.m.) at UC's Shoemaker Center.

The 6-foot-8 Duncan, the reigning Enquirer/Channel9 player of the year, led Moeller to the Ohio Division I title by averaging 18 points and 9.9 rebounds a game last season. Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in September.

"He only started practicing this week, and we're trying to be cautious," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "I don't know if he'll be ready this weekend, but he should be

fine for the balance of the season."

Reading, the defending Division III state champion, plays Norwood at 9:30p.m. Saturday at UC. The two-day i-wireless schedule, as organized by Tom Gamble of the Don Schumacher and AssOciates prep sports division: Friday at XU's Cintas Center: • Princeton vs. St Xavier, 5p.m.

• Lakota West vs. Moeller, 6:30p.m.

•Anderson vs. Elder, 8 p.m. · • Hamilton vs. La Salle, 9:30p.m.

Saturday at UC's Shoemaker Center: • Madeira vs. Sycamore, 5p.m.

• Oak Hills vs. Roger Bacon, 6:30p.m.

• Lebanon vs. Moeller, 8 p.m.

• Norwood vs.

Reading, 9:30p.m.

Presale tickets are $8 for students, $10 for adults at participating schools. All tickets are $12 at the gate.

Each ticket is good for all games that day, with separate tickets needed each day.

C6 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2003

WE

SPORTS

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

i-Wireless Invitational

Mighty Moeller picks up where it left off Enquirer contril>utor

Tall and talented Crusaders pummel Lakota West 68-40

Here's a four-word summary of first impressions of Moeller's 200304 basketball team: Scary big; scary good.

"I've coached 32 years in two different states, and that's the most talented team I've ever seen," Lakota West coach Mike Mueller said in the wake of Moeller's 68-40 victory in the i-Wireless Invitational Hoops Classic Friday at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

"I've seen teams that tall before, but not with that talent. They've got guys 6-9 and 6-8 inside who will probably play the 3 position in college," Mueller said.

The defending Division I state

champions and top-ranked team in the area kept the score doubled up on West for most of the night. Even when West. ranked No.lO in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, played an inspired first four minutes of the third quarter, they lost ground.

"We came out and played great in the third quarter, and Bubba Walther scores their first 10 points, while we're getting eight," said Mueller.

Moeller's two inside Division I signees, 6-8 Josh Duncan and 6-9 Andrew Brackman, combined for 22 points, but Walther stole the show. He scored a game-high 21

By Carey Hoffman

points, and added six relJounds, think we know deep down inside five assists and four steals. what it is we need to do to be Jrreat."

1681- Walther 8 2 21, Childress 31l' 6, Gomez "I really thought Bubba stabi- 20 6,MOELLER Duncan 3 412,Dier1<ers31 7, Trainor! 02, LynchO 11, 4 110, Fanellll3. Totals: 25-49 10路16 68. lized us tonight," said Moeller Brackman LAKOTA WEST 1401- Chichester 2 0 4, Gschwind 0 11, coach Carl Kremer. "He played like Casper2 0 6, Hansford 10 2, Kohs 31 7, LewlsO 11. Romero 0 3 3, Rathje 31 7, LaChapelle 419. Totals: 15-52 8-15 40. a senior and got us into some things ..............................____ 19 11 22 16 -68 we needed." l.akollo West ,_........................ 6 9 11 14 -40 goals: M- Walther 3, Gomez 2, Duncan 2, Brackman; Walther, displaying Pete Marav- 3-point ich-style flair, made 3-of-5 three- LW- Casper 2. Records: M 1-0, LW 0路1. point tries, as Moeller as a team went 8-of-16 from behind the line.

Moeller shot 51 percent overall from the field, including better than 61 percent in the second half.

'We were loose because we have so many guys back," said Walther.

"But we were tight, too, because of having so many expectations. I

3路polnt goals: SX -Lund. Wolf 5. Scales; P- none. Records: SX Hl,PO路l.

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THE MOELLER CRUSADE~S, (2:3~4) WON THE OHIO HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 8ASKET8ALL LAST SEASON, AND THEY ARE RANKED , #!IN THE STATE THIS SEAGON,DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE PLAY OF SENIOR JOSH DUNCAN. A XAVIER UNIVERSITY SIGNEE, JOSH, WEARING JERSEY #15, AVERAGED 18 POINTS- 15 REBOUNDS PER GAME LAST SEASON AND WON A SLEW OF HONORS: PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN THE GCL CONFERENCE, CITY OF CINCINNATI AND SOUTHWEST OHIO DIS~RICT, AS WELL AS 8EING THE ONLY JUNIOR NAMED 1ST TEAM ALL-STATE. 81G GAMES INCLUDED 27VS. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, 26 VS. 8EAVFRCREEKAND 2:3 VS. 80TH COLUMBUS BROOKHAVEN AND MASON. HE ,WAS ALSO NAMED MVP OF THE OHIO STATE TOURNAMENT WITH 50 POINTS AND 28 REBOUNDS IN TWO STATE TOURNAMENT GAMES. A GOOD STUDENT ALSO ACTIVE IN , COMMUNITY SERVICE, JOSH LISTS WILL SMITH AS HIS FAVORITE ,ENTERTAINER AND TRACEY McGRADY FAVORITE ATHLETE.

RESIDENCE: ROSELAWN GRADUATING - GPA: 2004- :3.0 HEIGHT-WEIGHT: 6' 13"- 220 L8S. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS: "WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP" PARENTS: DWIGHT & CARLA 81GGEST INFLUENCE: "MY PARENTS" FUTURE GOAL: "REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPIONS"

Buday LaRosa opened 'his first neig'hbor'hood pizzeria in Marc'h of 1954.

50 years later, LaRosa's serves neig'hbor'hoods t'hroug'hout . N. v ~; ~ ••• > 0 ,/_nto, . aentucn.-! ,... ~,...

"JOSH IS A VERY VERSATILE BASKETBALL PLAYER. HE HAS THE SKILLS OF A POINT GUARD ALONG WITH GRE~t ATHLETICISM AND SIZE. BEYOND HIS ABILITIES ON THE COURf, JOSH IS A , ~OLE MODEL IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE COMMUNITY.

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Moeller begins title defense at No. 1

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moeller may be the most unanimous No.1 preseason choice in the history of unanimous No.1 choices.

The defending state champion Crusaders, with their top three scorers back, are No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I preseason coaches poll. Moeller is No. 20 in the USA 1nday preseason poll.

In D·.risions II-IV, threetime defending Enquirer poll champion Roger Bacon again is ranked No.1. North College Hill, led by OJ. Mayo and Bill Walker, is No.7 :., the Divisions II-IV poll.

Moeller returns 6-foot-8

ris, is ranked No. 2 in Division I. Next are St. Xavier, La Salle and Hamilton.

In Divisions II-IV, Roger Bacon coach Bill Brewer was surprised to learn the Spartans are No. 1 again, given the loss of Enquirer Division II player of the year Monty St. Clair and all-city guard David Johnson.

"I appreciate the fact that coaches respect our program," Brewer said. "However, because of our lack of experience, we may struggle to win early. I think we have a chance of being there at the end."

senior fmward Josh Duncan (18 ppg), Andrew Brackman (16 ppg) and 6-3 shooting guard Bubba Walther (12 ppg) for its title defense.

"I would love to be in a position where we could sneak up on people," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said.

"But we realize that isn't going to be the case this year. The challenge to our team is to be that much better, because every game we play will be big."

Princeton, led by returning ali-city guard Mark Dor-

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com ...

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Division I poll

Divisions II-IV

Rank-Team Points 1. Roger Bacon (5) 87 2. Reading (2) 65 2. Princeton 3. McNicholas 50 3. St. xavier 4. Wyoming 45 4.la Salle (tie) Badin 45 5. Hamilton 6. Madeira 44 6. Withrow 7. North College Hill 41 7. Winton Woods 8. Purcell Marian · 37 &Bder 9. Mason 9. Woodw~rd 36 10. lakota ·west 10. Indian Hill 21 Others: Taft 18, Rnneytown Others: lakota East 13, Oak Hills 8, Anderson 3, Hughes 2. 17, Clinton-Massie 16, Clermont Northeastern 6, Fenwick Four pages· 5, New Richmond 4, Mariemont 3, Turpin 3, Deer Park 2, of boys basketball 2, Summit Country Day previews inside, ~7 • CHCA 2, Cincinnati Country Day 1.

Rank-Team

i.. Moeller (10)

Points 100 82 68 65 58 55 24 23 19 15

C4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2003

YS BASKETBALL F A LOOK AT THE 2003-04 HIGH SCHOOL SEASON

Ohio boys outlook

Great expectations surround defending Div. I champ Moeller Enquirer contributor

Crusaders return 11 of 14 players for quest

Sitting atop a mountain of great expectations_for the 2003-04 basketball season is Moeller.

It shapes up as a potentially remarkable season on many fronts across the Cincinnati basketball scene. It is hard to remember a time 路 with a wider or more plentiful distribution of potential major-college talent across the area But no team in area history has faced greater expectations entering a season than Moeller, the defending Division I state champion, which features three of five starters who have signed wi~ Division I college programs. .

'There's. more hype around this team than any I've ever coached," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "It will be interesting to see how we handle that"

The Crusaders feature two players - 6-foot-8 Josh Duncan, who signed early with Xavier, and 6-9 Andrew Brackman, who's headed to North Carolina State-who are legitimate candidates to be the best player in the state. Moeller returns two more 6-7 veterans for the Crusaders' biggest team in school history. Anchoring the backcourt is 64 Bubba Walther, who signed with Akron.

Eleven of the 14 players who took the floor for Moeller at the state title game return.

"We realize we're going to have to wear that distinction (as state champs), and we11 have to play with it," Kremer said. "We certainly have a bull's-eye on our back, and it will either make us better or not" This is a totally different situation from 2000, when Moeller lost 10 se-

By Carey Hoffman

niors from its 1999 state title team.

Still, in both 1999 and 2003, the Crusaders exceeded expectations, seizing upon opportunities to win state titles when they weren't favored.

So this season's loaded roster puts a different demand on Kremer's motivational skills.

Kremer plans to bring in people from the business world and a former World Series participant to talk to his team about dealing with pressure to perform.

The pressure will be immediate.

Several hundred showed up last week just to see Moeller in a scrimmage. Moeller's home-season tickets are sold out Besides the grind of trying to get through the Greater Catholic League South, Moeller's schedule includes an opening weekend with

games in Cintas Center (Lakota West) and Fifth Third Arena (Lebanon). Nonconference dates include Cleveland St Ignatius and Akron St Vmcent/St Mary and an 18-team Christmas tournament in Raleigh, N.C., where Moeller is seeded second in the field. 路 路 The top seed is Oak Hill Academy, which USA Today 路 this fall anointed the most talented high school team ever assembled.

"I think the GCL South is loaded, with every team in the league with the potential to win it," Kremer said.

"I think Princeton is very, very goo~.

They won our Victory Summer League here at Moeller and beat us in the finals.

'There are so many teams that could be really outstanding, and this could be a tremendous year."

Alook at the top players

Mayo one of many standouts Moeller boasts three Division I signees in starting lineup

By Tom Groeschen

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The Cincinnati Enquirer

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Yes, OJ. Mayo has hit town. But for now, the list of top Cincinnati boys basketball players begins at Moeller, where the defending Division I champions return a loaded lineup.

While Mayo and fellow big-time transfer Bill Walker figure to take North College Hill far on the smallschool (Division Ill) circuit, Moeller is already there in Division I. Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan (Xavier), senior forward Andrew

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Br~~l\Jl!a-'l ,~~· ,~t.'1 C:~:-·-..!~~:: "'"'~.t ·'

and senior guard Bubba Walther (Akron) all signed Division I college letters during November's early signing period. They were Moeller's three leading scorers as juniors, combining for 48 points a game. And they are the reason Moeller is a favorite to repeat as state champion.

'There's no hiding it," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "People know what we have. We'll just try to get better during the course of the year."

The 6-foot-8 Duncan and 6-9 Brackman are rated the top two seniors in 0 hio by Thelnsiders.com recruiting service, which rates Duncan No. 72 and Brackman No. 78 nationally among seniors. The 64 Walther may be the area's top shooting guard.

Moeller's players share top billing with NCH freshman transfers Mayo and Walker in the preseason.

Mayo, a 6-6 guard, is rated the No. 2 freshman nationally by Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop recruiting service. Walker, a 6-6 forward, is rated No.5. last season, Mayo was rated the nation's top eighth-grade player by Hoop Scoop. But he has been supplanted at No. 1 in Hoop Scoop's class listings by Taylor King, a 6-6 forward from Santa Ana, Calif., who already has committed to UClA Mayo was a varsity star the past two years at Rose Hill Christian in Ashland, Ky.; Kentucky allows students to play varsity sports before ninth grade. Mayo averaged 23.1 points a game as a seventh-grader and 20.5 as an eighth-grader and led the team to the Kentucky state tournament last season.

Then came his ballyhooed transferto North College Hill in April, with former Rose Hill teammate Walker joining Mayo at NCH. NCH coach Jamie Mahaffey, whose team went 2-18last season, realizes many are predicting 20.0 this season. But Mahaffey prefers to downplay the hype.

"I'll never rank us, because fm going to be harder than anybody on us," Mahaffey said. ''Whatever happens is because we worked hard and caused it to be that way."

Mayo, who can shoot, rebound, distribute and lead, is polished well beyond his years.

"Just his whole demeanor of determination, his desire to get other players involved and do whatever it takes to win, those things set him apart," Mahaffey said. "A lot of kids think they can do it, but with his skill level and effort, he knows how to do all that" Among Division I schools, the Greater Catholic l.e.<Unte South fea-

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The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

North College Hill freshman OJ. Mayo is considered one of the nation's top players in his class.

tures several major college prospects also. Elder has 6-7 senior for-

ward Thomas Sander. La Salle has 6-6 senior swingrnan Justin Orr. St Xavier has 6-3 junior guard Johnny Wolf, who led the league in scoring last season at 19.4 points a game.

Frrst-team Enquirer all-area players returning are Duncan, Brackman, Wolf and Princeton's Mark Dorris. Also watch Princeton senior Jarrell Williams, the standout football quarterback who also is a Division I basketball pro!>-ped: as a guard.

Top juniors include Wolf, Princeton's Ross Morin, Hamilton's Jason Miller and Withrow's Chris Knight Knight helped lead Withrow to a 20.1 record and Enquirer Division I regular-season poll title last season. Top sophomores include Lakota East's James Dews.

Top returnees Enquirer first-team all-area players returning: School Name Moeller Josh Duncan (signed with Xavier) Moeller Andrew Brackman (signed witt1 North Carolina State) · Princeton Mark Dorris (senior, yet to commit) St Xavier Jot1nny Wolf (a junior this season) Other top returning playen

Moeller Elder La Salle Princeton lakota East

Bubba Walther (signed with Akron) Thomas Sander (senior. yet to commit) Justin Orr (senior, yet to commit) Ross Morin Ounior this season) James Dews (sophomore this season)

Conbibutors Editor: Jewell Walston; Designer: Charlie Svhilik; Copy editors: Mike Ball, Josh , Pichler, Jennifer Scroggins and Lyndsay Sutton; Wrtters: Alex Blumer, Todd Bonds, · Kyte Burch, Tom Groeschen, Carey Hoffman, Mark Schmetzer, George Schutte and ' John Wise.

Zips recruit ~ struts stuff · VSe St. V-M I

This was agreat high ~ool bask;etball game won by a kid nam!!d.Bubba who will be pla~ for the University of • t:J. Akmnnextseason:. . .It was .Bubba Walther wlio Ill . dribb~ed the 1~ of the court . · to swish a IZ-footer with two . seconds left, giving Cincinnati Iii .. ~oeller a 71-69 victory over St. Vmc~t-St. Mary on Sunday at Rhod'i$ Arena. ' Iii .

Wl!-t~thegamewere ROlllep T?vis andDru Joyce m, the two Zips players who sold Akron] to .Bubba r~t •..;~- his '~111' visit Th ~ havPpened to hav~Jayed forst· ~where Dru Joyce II is the 111

. . "I don't think I've been more nervous for a game all season," w altber said. . . ~ekid was so~ the ~tim~ he touched the ball, he swished!a 23-footer. · SerioJlSiy. He was way behind the 3pointline. .· · He .made a couple more of , those,_ tw:o ~mat least is feet, as · ~e :l:inisb~dWith 17points, seven m the final quarter. . · :'Bub~ thinks his range is the entire gym," Cincinnati Moeller . coach CarJKremer said..

Moeller eJ?tered the weekend rank:ed N~.J m the Division I po~ but lo~tto LaSalle on Friday.

'I had a: chance to win that · gap!e, too,'' .Bubba said. ''But I 1ll1Ssed the last shot" · Fmmwhere?

"Half co)ut," he said. . . t'hi~he is serious about ~he,can :make a shot · uom anywHere. . .Bubba is ltveraging 14 points !Je plays fo~ a team ranked Ilth. m. the.natio4 by USA Today With one big man who has COmmitted t~ Xavier Oosh ·Duncan), an9therheaded to North Camlina State (Anc:Wew Brackman). '

At first ghince, .Bubl:ia is

underwh~.

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.. In thewo(ds ofAkmn assJSialiL coo;.w aerm .uiliili:lrot · "He doesn't look like a Divisi~ I

' cba5kediallplayer, You've really i gottowatchHim." . · Heis6-foot-3andsayshe's 165 pounds. : Then igain, !he thinks hiS . ·. range is nearly unlimited, so he • maybe aJitt}e optiJnistic.He's "-·-~andTeg\;and not much· meat. Hewilln~to adjust to thephysicai.nathreoftheMid-· · · American Conftfrence. Bubba laiows he hils to gam weight, · which is a bit smmge becimse he · was a big baby. i · . "Nine pounds imd Bounces," hesaid. "That'shOwigotthe . nickname .Bubba.'r .

His real name iS Adam, but no one calls him that! ''I'm not saying .Bubba will come inhere and be a great player for us right! away," Zips · coach Dan Hipsher said. "But he will help us: He kllows how to play the game. ~d w~ · desperately need outside shooting~" , : Hipsher andD~rot spotted .Bubba in some summer AAU canips. His shoo~ range first

grabbed their att~t19n, but then, they noticed his c<lurt vision, his

. ability to pass. [· His father, Jim }\7alther, was a coachat Old Fort High in Western Ohio. .Bubbadoeshave · the natural'feel fm1 the game~ · comes from.bcing the son of a coach. Thatalso apPealed to Akron.

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· · Because he's thln, Bubba was not heavilyrecruited. :S:e.says he considered Easter!). Michit¥.JD, Winthrop, Butler, :E~e, and Duquesne bef~re settling on Akron.

• .. i · "I .liked the school befug in the city," he said. 'ji really ~ed

Romeo and Dru on my visit. The

gym is like a big higb. school and I like that, too."

pne

gym,.Bubba was just highlight of a wonderful game that showed there's stiU a lot oflife at St V-Mwithout LeBron James.

The Irish nearly PW!ed an upset with their relentless press and. scrambling for lOOSe balls. ·Lawrence Wilson (21 points, 11 rebounds)and.S-fuot-8Brandon Weems (16 points,! 6 assists, .4-of7 on 3-pointezs) were especially nnpresstve. ; .

CoachDruJoycellhashis , team ranked at the top of the Ohio Division n P9TI, and.this. was his team's fift:li gamem mne days, so a loss is nq embarrassment. ' ·If anything, the game was a · great preview of coming attractions. That'sitrueforthe .Irish, who should 1;le a factor in the state playoffs.~ for · .Bubba, who could be fun to watch when he makes Rhodes A[enahishome ~beginning next season.

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Bv DAVE SCHUITE bullseye on the Blue uniform in the SPORTS EDITOR Cincinnati Hills League, with oscHUnE@COMMUNITYPREss.coM · Madeira and Indian l:lill having the _ _:.::__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ talent to make a run at the champi- 1r There's nothing more exciting for a onship. . . . high school athlete than playing a bas- · On the crirls side; Madetra 1s ketball game before a sold-out and favored to r:peat in the CHL, butit 1 noisy crowd in a steaming and spirited won't be easy for coach Dave . gymnasium. . · .

Schlensker;s Amazons with Indian This preferred atmosphere may be ·Hill, l\:fl!riemont and Wyoming fieldan every week occurrence if the pre- ing vastly improved teams. season outlook by Cincinnati's girls . . Our cover players, Josh Duncan from Moeller and Loveland's Jilian and boys coaches is on target.

Parity is projected in most leagues, Partin, .are good examples of the comincluding the Fort Ancient Valley plete and um;elfish player. · Conference Buckeye and Cardinal Besides averaging inore than 18 Divisions (girls and boys), Greater points and 15 rebounds as a junior, the · Miami Conference (girls and. boys) Xavier University-bound Duncan also and Cincinnati Hills League (girls averaged three assists and two and boys). blocked shot to earn GCL South Josh Duncan · However, defending Division I Player of the Year honors. state champion Moeller stands heads During the Crusaders drive toward amove the rest in the Greater Catholic the Division I state championship, League South Division, while Mount Duncan was outstanding, both on Notre Dame is expected to go .unde- defense and offense, feated in the Girls Greater Catholic Duncan's even temperament and League Scarlet Division for a second high caliber of sportsmanship didn't . consecutive season. unnotice•l,: throughout the tourna-· "~Wt·~~:~i!~~~fJ:rrs~*~G;~~~~~~~~i~:}1;f~ -~·"-·-.J3ettr;he·-&ye;1l'!lore~gixol&-arla-a•'Y 8=ffien:r.----< cmediocre-s-easons~ coach-Gerry~would come up witi1adel'eil~!to teams are picked fourth cidower in the Loveland moved from the Cardinal Lackey's Mason girls team appear out of, tJ:e S?me. players Greater Miami Conference, but don't Division to the big-school Buckeye ready to emerge again as a contender .tac<ee mo;e pnde_ m holdmg a scorer be surprised if the Aviators emerge as Division this season with junior guard in Cincinnati.. below his or her season average than · Jilian Partin holding. the key to sueThe Comets will rely on Brianne scoring. · contenders.

The always positive imd likable cess for the girls team. . Mills aloncr with several other young When a young and inexperienced Aviator girls coach Paula Hayden . Last year as a sophomore, Partin talen~ed players while the Comets scorer 'is closely guarded, many tend points at Princeton as&t,1e team to b_eat, stepped up big, averaging 15 plus boyS'i:eam also appears ready to take it to press and attempt 'low percentage ,shots in order to attain 'their average but with point guarcf Laura Stemer points in leading coach Wray Jean to the next level. fully recovered, don't sell Sycamore Connor's team to a 17c5 record and Injuries often destroy the hopes of while forgetting about the team. · short. first place in the Cardinal Division. teams expected ·to <).ominate. Good Veteran players learn to compenThe Sycamore boys, as noted by . · Partin must duplicate the · effort,. teams find a way to compensate. sate. former McNicholas coach Jerry while the supporting cast takes it to Stayed tuned.

Instead of folding under the ptesDoerger, . now at Clermont the next level if the Tigers' This could be the most interesting Sl\re, the experienced players go either Northeastern, can't be taken expect to prevail in the season in years, one that has league into a passing mode or set up teamlightly. · ,tougher Buckeye Division races decided during the final weeks m\ites for easy or wide-open shot.

Doerger predicted that ' .that includes Mason\ of the season.

On the offensive end, this same Sycamore's tenacious Harrison and Winton An out.sider looking in who hasn't obiserver will first note the team that Woods. , s'een either team play can usually pre- passes the ball well and set picks for defense, coupled with ·strong inside play and Every season finds diet the outcome ·of a game after teummates, especially against a mangood outside shooting, unlikely teams sur- watching the first five minutes of play. to-man defense. will make· the Aviators face that' aren't The first thing to look for is Ball movement is the strategy expected to chal- defense. · needed to beat a variety of zone tough to contend with in · lenge for league:, Teams that are aggressive defend- defenses although most coaches prethe GMC. Defending Division ill championships. ' ing the basket ~e usually the ones that fer sticking with the man-to-man. state boys champiComing off also play hard jon the other end of the Coaches without a big man on the - · Reading b a c k- to -' floor. . i ·inside, us1,1ally go with a· zone to make b. a c k' Think back) to your playing days at up for this deficiency. . any leveL I · If you wer~ a good shooter, teams

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g~me.

5'8" junior guard, Sycamore High School ·Forced to take over the point when tt)ammate ,Laura ·steiner suffered a season-en¥ng injury, Crum earne,d second team Greater Miami Conference honors, averaging 10.4 po.ints, 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals as . a sophomore. She will remain at thtl point this season until Steiner returns from another .injury (broken wrist) during the preseason.

PHOTOGRAPHS

BY DAVE SCHUTTE AND CONTRIBUTO\x JA~ON LEATH.

Anybody who read my football picks this fall knows that I'm no prognosticator.

Predicting the future was not as easy as I foresaw it to be.

Who will ~~e the best bet fot• state f:lhamplon?

Who are the best teamu in the city this year?

. B~ys

Moeiler Loveland

Girls CHCA Sycamore ·Loveland

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Moeller

Ursuline.

Moe'ller

CHCA

Who will be this season's surprise teams?

What home crowd has the loudest fans?

Boys

Boys

Sycam9re

Girls · Sycamore

So with that in mind, l figured who actually knew what .they maybe it was best if I left the were talking about. The coaches: predictions and observa:t\ons on. We surveyed 25 local boys and. the upcoming high ·schroo) bas- girls coaches uuri.n g the presea~ ketball season to som~e people $OD. Here's the results. .,

Moeller

Girls Ursuline·

Who are the most

respected referees?

1. Randy McMahan ·

2. Kelly Whalen

CG

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

SPOIITS

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2004

II-

I DIVISION I FIRST TEAM

COACH OF THE YEAR

Larry Allen

James Dews

MOELLER

~TON

LAKOTA EAST

The senior was AP trt-player of the year in Ohio. He led the GCL South in scoring (20.2 ppg) and field-goal percentage (65.4).

He guided the Big Blue (25-2) to the program's first state CQampionship in 50 years. llle shared AP state coach ofthe year honors.

The sophomore was AP third team alldistrict, leading the GMC in scoring (23.3 ppg) and shot 85 percent from the foul line.

Chris Knight

Brandon Lampley

WITHROW

HAMILTON The $enior was MVP of the tournament, where he averaget! a teamhigh 14 points.

He averaged 10.3 points, 3. 7 asslr,ts during the season.

The junior averaged 21.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3. 7 blocks. Was first team AII-SOPL. Had 43 points, 24 rebounds and 12 blocks in one game.

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Adam MyersWhite ~TON

The junior was honorable meritlon allstate. He averaged 10.2 points, 3. 7 assists and 1. 7 steals.

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Mark Dorris

Mike Kimmey SYCAMORE

The senior was honorable mention all-state and second team all-district, averaging 15.3 points, 6. 7 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.8 assists.

FIRST TEAM

The senior was AP second team all-state and first team all-district. He averaged 16.3 points, 7. b rebounds, and shot 85 percent on free throws.

The junior averaged 14.1 points and 3.5 assists in leading Sycamore to its first regional appearance. He was firstteam AII-GMC.

FIRST TEAM

Justin Orr

Ryan Patzwald

Justin Ray

LASALLE

ANDERSON

OAK HILLS

MASON

The senior was AP second team a11-state, first team alldistrict. He averaged 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

The senior was FAVC Buckeye player of the year. He led the league with a 19.7 scoring average and ranked second in assists at 5.0 per game.

The senior was first team All, GMC. He averaged 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot 83 percent from the foul line.

The senior was AP third team all-district and first team AIIFAVC. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.6 assists and 3.0 steals.

Honorable mention FIRST TEAM

Johnny Wolf The junior was AP honorable mention allstate and second team alldistrict. Ae averaged 18.2 points and 3.4 assists.

Aiken- Jamaine Burnett; Amelia- Bryson Simpson, Eric MacFarland; Anderson- Dan lmpellizzeri, Kurt Shoemaker, Dan Veil; Colerain- Dominick Goodman, Justin Beigel; Elder- Thomas Sander, Josh Walters, Craig Carey; Fairfield - Adam Ruhl; Glen Este - David Walker; Hamilton - Latez Williams, Casey Brooke, Derrick Huff, Billy Allen, Jason Miller;

. Harrison - Matt Houchin, Doug Hotopp; Hughes Matty Owens, Bill Harman; Milford - Zach West; Mount Healthy- Dlyral Briggs; -Adrian Graves, Brandon Russ; Kings - Chad HeaMoeller- Bubba Walther, Ryan Childress, Tyler ton,.Mark Burgess, Adam Testerman; Lakota EastDierkers; Northwest- Jeremy Chappell, B.J. PleasJeremy Sallee, Robert Walker; Lakota West- Brian LaChapelle, Dane Romero, Josh Chichester; La Salle ant, Demario Pleasant; Oak Hills- Garrett Smith, Drew Schroeder; Princeton - Ross Morin, Winston - Darenn Mansoor, Ray Ruberg, Zach Welter;. Leba· Vickers, Jerome Nelson, Ben McGrath; St. Xaviernon- Tyler Pritchard, Jordan Langston; LovelandChris Lund-, David Gedeon, Rob Schoenhoft; SycaClif Ramsey, Will Leever, Charlie lngstnup; Mason~

more -Mario Kirkendall, Steve Przywara; Talawanda - Chris Reed; Western Hills -Jamar Howard, Jaron Brooks, Jabreel Moton; Wilmington- Zach Hollingsworth, Todd Starkey; Winton Wooclls- Heath White, Jamaal Akbar, Harrison Brown, Joel Wynn; WithrowDarral Payton, Matt Pilgrim, Tanyen Pearson.

DIVISIONS II-IV

Kevin Weybright

O.J. Mayo

WYOMING

N.COLLEGE HILL

The senior was AP firstteam allstate and player of the year. He averaged 23 points, 10.3 rebounds, two I assists and two steals.

In first year as coach, he led the Senators to a 22-3 record and their first Division II regional berth. He was named AP District coach of the ear.

FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Nick Berter

Marty Bidwell

Robby Brown

READING

FENWICK

The senior was AP Division Ill honorable -nil!ntion allstate and second team alldistrict. He averaged 14.6 points and shot 52 percent.

The junior was AP Div. Ill second team allstate. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.6 rebounds as Fenwick reached the district playoffs.

FIRST TEAM

The senior was AP Div. Ill honorable mention all-state and second team all-district. He averaged 18.6 points and a city-best 14.2 rebounds.

FIRST TEAM

SUMMIT

ST. BERNARD

The senior was AP special .mention all-state and first team all-district. He averaged 21 points, 11 sists.

The first-year coach led the · Titans to their first sectional championship since 1983, including a 46-39 tournament upset of No. 1 seed Lockland.

FIRST TEAM

Corey Farley The junior was AP Div. II third team all-state and first team all-district. He averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals.

The senior was AP Div. IV honorable mention all-state and second team all-district. He averaged 15.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

FIRST TEAM

Mark Hawkins PURCELL MARIAN

FINNEYTOWN

The senior was AP Div. II honorable mention all-state and GCL North player of the year.

He averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.1 stJals.

The senior was named AP Div. II honorable mention allstate and second team aU-

district He averaged 19.5 points and 3.0 steals.

Honorable mention FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM

Will Norwell

Sonny Snell

TURPIN

LANDMARK TRINITY

The junior was AP Div. II honorable mention · all-state, second team alldistrict. He averaged 16.4 points and 9.8 rebounds.

The junior was named AP Div. IV third team all-district and first team All- · MVC. He averaged 21 points, 4.1 assists and. 2.5 steals.

Norwood - Daniel Blair, Purcell Marian - DeShawn Keith; Harmony- Antonio Forte; Indian Hill -Will Nolte, Branden Badin - Nick Martini, John Strittholf; Batavia -Joe MenRipley -Justin Fultz, Josh Howard; Roger Bacon - Nick DufMiller, Eric Shah; . denhall, Drew Ellis, Mark Cribbet; Bethel-Tate- Nate WalJacobs - Don Pringle; Landmark Trinity - Greg Rosser, fy, Pete Knecht; Ross - Matt Moore, Steven Young; lace, Shawn Foster; Blanchester- Jeremy Burton; Cincin· . Reading- Tony Pike, John Gertz, Jeremy OvertJeck, Rodney Dan McGuffey; Leesburg Fairfield -Steven Dugger, Wes natl Christian -Joe Hom, Ryan Davenport; Cincinnati Robertson; Little· Miami - Dan McKeehan, Dwight McVey; Stidham; Seven Hills - Garth Whipple, Gavin Tabor, Shroder Country Day - Kurt Smith, John Graves, Jarrod Ward; Clark - Billy Nelson, Rashon Cheatham; St. Bernard - Dan Crank, Montessori- Quincy Cull)'; Clermont Northeastern- Travis Lockland - Dejuan Harris, Mike Collins, Mack Ogletree; Runyan, Jason Jones, Josh Rshback; Clinton-Massie- Kell)' Lynchburg-Clay - Eric Mount, Travis Mount; Madeira - Kevin Jon Rose, Kevin Williams; Summit - Matt Schmidt; Taft - Ed" Wilkinson, Justin Beckett, Quincy Brooks, Kyle Robinson; Deer Gilligan, Travis Rust, Cole Schwein, Brian Steur, Jimmy Heisel; die Gray, James Bumett, Travis Donald, Patrick Blanchard; Manchester- Dustin Dean; Mariemont- Jordan Kelly, Mike Taylor- Rob Smith, Josh Streckfuss; Turpin -Josh Slonim, Park- Erik Ayers, Maurice Brown, Kyle Mason; Ryan Burlas; Walnut Hills- Leo Acoff, Steve Ellison.

Donovan; McNicholas- Nic Dyment, Josh Roftow, Matt Eastern Brown - Brett Beucler, Kevin Hoover, East Clin· Western Brown - Brett BartJer, Dominic Thomas, Richard ton - Wes Anders, Seth Young, Shawn Patterson; Edgewood Schlagheck; Bradford; West Union -Jared Cox; Whiteoak -Jared Bohl, Middletown Christian -Jared Ruggles; Middletown - Brian Hangbers; Fayetteville- John Lykins; Felicity- Jared Blake 1\ibler; Williamsburg -Josh Bruns; Woodward -TalButts, Anthony Hatfield, Mike Reig; Fenwick - Rob Kreke; Fin- Madison- Jake Hall; New Richmond - David Duncan, Eric neytown - Scott Sibert; Georgetown - Adam Griffith, Jeremy McMonigle; North College Hill - J.R. Rodarmel, Andre Evans, madge Bell; Wyoming - David Jolson, Joey Rodgers, Jeff Duncan, lsiah Felder, Goshen - Brad Monk, Kevin Anderson; Nathaniel Glover, North Adams - Coiy Copas, Chris Meade; Weiss. ·

;:~J)AY · WEDNESDAY, N9YEMBER 19, 20(B . 9C C

US/1!'

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USA TODAY

_SU~l»l"r l5'rankings HigH/school boys basketball _ Records and stats from 2002-03 unless noted

l

Oak HillAeademy. Mouth of Wilson; Va. {31-4)

_-

ReJ;urning starters: 0. Outlook Transfers include 6-9 Brian Jol)nson (louisville signee), 6-9 josh Smith (lndi~na signee)and6-6DayshawnWright(Syracusecommitment). ·v· Ope~ed with four viciDries, averaging over 100 point~. _• _.

2.J\1aterpe~SantaAna,Calit:{35-2). · _-ru:turrungstarters:3.0utloolc 6-9 chns Henry; 6c7 G

Marcel jones an_d 6-8 junior Rashad Austin flank Taylor King, a 6-p freshman standoutatlast summer's Adidas ABCD · CalllP· Schedule includes No. 1 Oak Hill Feb: 6 in Trenton, NJ.

3. WeStchester, Los Angeles (32-3)

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ReturnilJg starters: 2. Outlook jonathan Tolliver (1 0 ppg) and 6~6 jlinior Marcus johnson (8 ppg) lead a nine-playerrotation. ,

4.-StAnthony.jersevCity(21-5l

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Oak Hill Academy, the tiny school with the mighty hoops rep-,_., utation, has _assembled another~ stellar collection of major-college 5. Rufus King, Milwaukee (25-0) _ - __ _• ,• prospects. The only question, it :ReturnilJgstarters:3. Outlook Division l state champion . seems, is whether the sum is as ' featllj'es four guards: 6.0 Dupree Fletcher, 6-2 james Prwtt, , · good as its talented parts.

Gel Matt Goodwin (12 ppg, 5 rpg) and 6c2 Robert Dixon.

The Warriors, who begin the 6. St Ral'ffiond, Bronx, N.Y. {26~4) _ season as USA TODAYs top-ranl{ed ,! Returningstartel'S: 3. Outloolc 6-7 Gavin Grant (10 ppg, team, appear hard to beat. 7 rpg) and 6-5 Brian Laing (15 ppg)lead the way.

"When Indiana, Louisville and - · Syta(:Use are represented in your 1. Montrose (hrl<+l..n Rockville, Md. {20-1) ........., frontcourt, not much more needs ReJ;urning.Sfa!ters:3. Outloo.lc :r~njiSoroye (1 0 J?P!;. 6 to be said," S"''S recruiting analyst rpg), a_6-11 N1genan headed to VlrgJ!lla, IS dommant mS!de. "" _ Uche Echefu, 6.8, is recovered from knee surgery.

Rob Harrington of prepstars.com.

8. Peoria (DL) Central (31·1) .

Senior transfer josh Smith has Returningstarters:3.0utloolcDuke·bound ShaunLiv~. signed with Indiana, transfer Brian ingsiDn (15 ppg, 4.5 apg) is the nation's top point guard.

Johnson with Louisville and trans', ·fer Dayshawn Wright has said he 9. Edgewatel'; Orlando (34-2) . . · will attend Syracuse but hasn't ReJ;urningstarters: 3. Outloolc Darius Washington (30.1 signed yet. , . _ _ _ pkg, 6 apg), a suger 25,gtiard, and 6-1 Brandon johnson form ")think our frontcourt is as good F orida's top bac court . or better than any we've had," says 10. Rainier Beach, Seattle (26~3) · · Warriors coach Steve Smith, who . ReJ;urnin~starters: :2. Outloolc The two-time Class 3A is 532-36 in 17 seasons at the pri- ' state champ10ns feature a nine-man rotation, led by Miami vate school of 120 stUdents in rural r:;::;:;;:::::::::::::=~:::=::::::::::::.:::-:~~~~ 6 (Fla:)-boimd -11 CJ. Giles (1 Pppg, 10 rpg). Mouth of Wilson, Va. "We're big, 1l Renaissance, Detroit (21-4) aggressive, physical and can attack Returning starters: 4. Outloolc Super 25 players 6-6 M;~- the ri)n. We're probably one shootlil{ Hairston and 6-3 joeCrawford led school to Detroit Public er away from being able to rival our League title. · best teams here, but we'll see how 12. Mason COunty. Maysville,l\v. (35-2) it goes come March."

Returnin~ starters: 4. Outloolc GChris Lofton (2L5ppg), . The Oak Hill pedigree: 6-4·jarrodl.ttzlnger(12.9,8rpg)and6-3DustinGrutza{14 Jl>)t has placed in USA TODAY's Oak Hill's position in USA TODAY's ppg) are back. Wesley jones, a 6-0 junior, averaged 11.9 ppg. top five of tbe final Super 25 rankfinal Super25 ranking through the· years: · 13. I>otniniuez. Compton, Calit: (15-5) ings a dozen times since1986, in- ReJ;urningstarters: 2. Outlook Jason Murdock (18 ppg), duding top honors in 1994, '99 and Final 5-9, runs offense. Transfers Brian Harvey (6-6 junior, Carson, 2001. Final rankings the last five Super25 Calif.) and Lamar Roberson (6-8, Baton Rouge) will help.

Year rank. seasons:- 1, 2, 1, 3 and 4, Wl'th a '95 6 l4. Mount ~rnon, N.Y. (26-11 · cumulative record of 157-7.

'98 7 ReJ;urning starters: 3. Outlook G KeithBeqjamin (15.6 1> The program has produced 18 '99 1 ppg) and 6-5 Dexter Gray (13.8 ppg, 82 rpg) provide leader- McDonald's All-Americans (nearly 2000 2 ship. Upgraded schedule includes trips ID Hawaii, New jersey twice as many as rwmer-up De'01 1 and Delaware. · Matha of Hyattsville, Md. ), includ'02 3 15. Aurora (DI.) West (25-J) _· _ ' ing two each in 1991-93 and 2001.

'03 4 · ReJ;urningstarters: 3. Outlook Illinois-bound CShaun 1> Nineteen aliunni are on DiviPr\litt is healthy after an injury-plagued junior season. sion I-A-- basketball rosters; e~ht something," Gibbons s;rys.

16. Dudley. Greensboro, N.C. (22·6) · • • are active in the NBA, including . Smith stands by the assessment.

ReJ;urning starters: 5. Outlook The frontcourt of 6-7 Denver Nuggets rookie Catmelo "I've never had anybody that athThough most of the attention is I~evin Swinton (19.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and 6-5 sophomore WilAnthony, drafted No. 3 overall after letic with that size," he s;rys. '.'He'll focused on the Warriors' frontliam Graves (10.4 ppg) combmed fornearly 30 pomts. leading Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA do one or two things a day in prac- court, Steve Smith thinks the play 17. Lincoln; Brooklvn. N.Y. (31-4) _ · _· _ championship as a freshman. tice or in a game that make you go, of guard Raj on Rando is key. :1 ReturningstarterS':~OutloolcThedefendingNewYork Johnson (6-7) and Wright (6"9) 'Wow.'" "I always believe guards win StateClassAFederationcbampionsarepacedbySuper25 drew national attention on their According to Gibbons, the 6-8 games for you," the coach says. "I guardSebastiariTelfair(27.1 ppg, 7.Sapg). . o~, but Jo_?h, SI!.llth has a,chance s~njqr ''is ~o_,ggod I have s~rio11_s _don'tw911tJO_put.pressure.on.,o ·~"18: F~:t0sADgeieS[~4~~-•:--"-·-- to-·be ttuly special. JJo6"'Gt6bons, doubts fie will-ever wear a Hoo- player, but he's Vital. He's been a ReturnilJgstarters: 2.0utloolc G-F]oshShipp (18.5 ppg, editor/publisher of All-Star Sports siers uniform. Every game I go to pleasant surprise. We've got a lot of 65 rpg) signed with UCLA, and 6-8 Jamal Boykin(15.5 ppg, 9 Report, recalls a conversation in. there are six NBA scouts watching guys that can score, but we don't rpg) 1s considered the s_tate's IDp junior. · which Steve Smith _called Josh him play." _ _ have what I would consider to be 19. Rice, New York, N.Y. {19-8) .. __ Smith (no relatjon) the best athlete For his part, Josh Smith wants to great shooters.

ReturnilJg starters: 2. Outlook: GRussell Robinson aver- he has ever coached. · . fend off talk of a direct-to-the-NBA "(Rando) has the ability to ne. aged 18 points,' siX rebounds and four assists as a junior. _ "Coming from a guy who's had move- and the associated LeBron gate that we're not a great shooting 20. MoeDer, Cincinnati (23-4) . ._ . Jerry Stackhouse, Ron Mercer and james-like hoopla - "at least until team. I need him to be our . . . our ReturnilJgstarters:3.0utlook:Xavier-bound PF josh , Carmelo Anthony, that's saying the end ofthe season." floor general.''

Returningstarters:3. Outloolc Guard-oriented team led by 6-2 Otis Campbell, 6-3 Marcus Williams and 5-11 Ahmad Mospy, who teamed to win And One national title in june.

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n'uncan ( 18 ppg, 9.9 rpg) and 6-3 Bubba·Walth¢r (Al<ron) were standout_s during a Division I state title run. ·

21. Provine, Jackson, MiSs. (26-5) ·

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Returning starters: 3. Outlook Mississippi Stat~- bound PG Charlie White (14.5 ppg, 7 apg) is the state's reigriing Mr. Basketball, '~. _ .

··22. Milb~ Houston (29.!7) _ _. _

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-ReturnilJg starters: 4. Outlook: jawann McClellan (21.9 ppg, 7.5 tpg), 6c5 larry Posey (15 ppg) are the top scorers.-

23}Bioomfield (NJ.) Tech {23-S)

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.Returning starters: 4. OutloolcGs Courtney Nelson, Jac son Wilson and. DaShawii'Dwight are four-y~ar starters.

24. Tnnpview, Provo, Utah (23~2)

Returning starters:4. Outlook: The defending Class 4A champions feature'6-1 0 Chris Miles (11 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-1 Matthew Pineg'ar (4.5 apg~ ·

25.'Hightower, Missouri City. Texas (34-J)

' Starters: 3. Outloolc Nic Wise (8.5 ppg, 4.1 apg), the na~ tion's top sophomore PG, already committed to Arizona.

About the rankings: USA TODAY's Super 25 high school. boys and girls bas!<etball rankings are compiled by Christopher Lawlor, wno consults with· a nation~] network of prep sports ll'iriters, analysts and coaches. Among the criteria conSidered are a.schoors strength of schedule, the 9uality of · competition in its state,or league and quality of Its players. !

Note: The next basketball rankings will appear Dec. 16 (boys) and Dec. 17 (girls). ·

Regional-rankings East. . I . , '1.StAnthony,JerseyCity(21-5)' .__ _ 2. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (26-4). . ···3.Mohtrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (20-1) 4.Mount Vernon, N.Y. (26-1) 5, l.incoin, Brooldyn, N.Y. (31-4) · 6. Rice, New.York (19-8) > 7. Bloomfield (NJ.) Tech (23-5) 8.0ur Savior New American, Centerreach, N.Y. (3H)_ ,, 9. Cardinal Dougherty; Philadelphia (24-4) 10.Archbishop Spalqing, Severn, Md. (26-7) Soutb _ _. . · 1. Oak Hill Academy; Mouth ofWilson, Va. (31-4) 2. Edgewater, Orlando (34-2) • · 3. Mason County; Maysville, Ky. (35-2) · 4. Dudley, Greensboro, N.C. {22"6) 5. Provine, jackson, Miss. (26c5) 6. Milby, Houston (29-7) , 7. !-Mhtower.liJiissouri City, Texas (34-3) B. WT1ite Station, Memphis (36-2) 9. john Carroll, Birmingham, Ala, (36-0) 10. Florida Air Academy, Melbourne, Fla. (29-0) Midwest __ .

1. Rufus King, Milwaukee (25'-0) 2.Peoria(IU.)Central(31-1) , _ 3. Renaissance, Detroit (21-4) 4.Aurofa(lll.)West(25-3) ' 5. Moeller, Cincinnati (23C4) 6: lawrence North, indianapolis (21-3) 7. St.john's, Toledo, Ohio (21-5) S.Pike,lndianapolis (29-0) 9.Denby, Detroit (20-2) .

10. Poplar Bluff, Mo. (26-4) -West , 1. MaterDei,Santa Ana, Calif. (35-2)2. Westchester, Los Angeles (32-3) .

3: Rainier Beach;Seattle(26-3) - .. 4.Dominguez, Compton, Calif, (15~5) 5. Fairfax, [osAngeles (28'-4) 6.Tunpview, Provo, Utah (23-2) :7. Cleveland, Reseda, calif. (19-7) 'B. De l.a Salle, concord, calif. (21-6) __ . · 9. HarvardcWestlake, North Hollywood, Calif. (29-'Z) 10: Durango, Las Vegas (22-9)

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. THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

. t'l--/1'[u3

1

High school insider

National spotlight shining on local preps America has caught on to the strength of Cincinnati prep sports, seemingly n(lwmore than ever.

We have the country's No.l volleyball team, No. 6 football team and maybe the next LeBron James.

We have a girls basketball player (Mount Notre'Dame's Mel Thomas) who signed with fourtime national champion Connecticut and a girls volleyball player (St. Ursula's Bryn Kehoe) who signed with five-time NCAA champion Stanford, the Mecca of their respective women's college sports.

We have two football players Tom (Hamilton DB Groeschen Brandon Underwood and Lakota West OT Steve Rehling) committed to reigning national champion Ohio State.

And we're just one-third through the 2003-04 school year.

State champion St. Ursula, led

by Enquirer player of the year Kehoe, was crowned mythical nation·al champ byPrepVolleyball.com.

Elder football continues to climb the USil Today chruis, rising to No.6 after last week's 31-7 thrashing of Lakewood St. Edward in the state finals.

Moeller basketball is No. 20 in the USil Today preseason ratings and favored to win a second · straight Division I state title.

Mount Notre Dame girls basketball is in thetop 40 of several girls national polls, including Student Sports magazine. The Cougars' Thomas is the first Cincinnati female ever signed by UConn.

We had Lakota West's Kevin Noschang, Lakota East's Parrissa Eyorokon and Seven Hills' Susie Keller named soccer All-Americans this fall. This, in a year when St. Ursula's girls soccer team brief, ly was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

And of course 'The Next One" OJ. Mayo, has acived at North ' College Hill. · /.Mayo, the nation's No.2 boys ~/freshman basketball player, trans. ferred here anlid national media _cover a~ Md wjJlQ!!lY bring more,_ An ESPN crew attended NCH's · opener Friday night vs. Badin.

Mayo is slated to be prui of an upcoming Outside the Lines show.

And there was more ESPN talk here lately.

Rumor has it ESPN is planning a piece on tl1e Greater Catholic League (Elder, La Salle, Moeller, St. XaVier) being the best prep .league in America ..

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz says he does not know if the network is plruming anything, but he said he would check into it.

GCL athletic directors and coaches said they hadn;t heard anything official, but the league does celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. One GCL school official, who requested anonymity, said ESPN has inquired about the GCL and that USil Today also !night do a · 75th anniversruy story.

"I don't know if we're the best league in America," Moeller basketball coach Carl Kremer said. "I think there are some leagues in the East that might say something about that. But the GCL is obviously pretty good." .

While non-GCL fans sometimes accuse the Cincinnati media of favoring the GCL, the league's strength crumot be denied. The league in 2002-03 swept the socalled big three of state titles in football (Elder), basketball (Moeller) and baseball (St. Xavier). Elder repeated in football this year, with Moellerfavored to repeat in basketball. Baseball is always tougher to predict, but St. X has several players retuming.

And don't forget swinlming, with St. Xavier's boys chasing a sixth straight state title and more nationai recognition. The Bombers have won or :finished second the past few years in the major national mythical swin1 rankings conducted by Swimming World magazine and the sport's national coaches association ratings.

BEST SINCE '86: The final USil Today football season ratings come out Dec. 23, with Elder likely to remain around its current No.6 spot. USA Today prep writer Chris Lawlor said Elder's rating may move slightly, depending on re.suits of other states' title games. ·should Elder :finish No. 6, it wquld be the highest :finish for a local team since Purcell Marian was No.4 in the final1986 ratings . .PUrcell went 14-0 and won the Division II state title that year under coach Herb Woeste, with one of tl1~ best teams in Cincinnati histo- . ry. Woeste now is athletic director atWmton Woods.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2004 B13

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. Enquirer file

Moeller's Carl Kremer (left), shown with Nicholas Monserez in 2001 after a playoff loss to Elder, said he prefers avoiding GCL teams when possible in the postseason:

High school insider

Brackets offer great potential Local powers may meet in DI final La Salle Will visit Moeller on Friday in their highly anticipated Greater Catholic League South basketball. rematch. An even juicier scenario could see the two area powers meet in the Division I boys' state final neXt month.

LaSalle is ranked No.1 and Moeller No.2 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll. In the state poll, La Salle is No.1 and Moeller is No..3.

Tite girls' game offers its own poTom tential battle royGroeschen . ale, with Mount Notre Dame- ranked No. 2 in the state-:- potentially facing No.1 Dayton Chaminade-Julienne in the Division I state final.

Those dream matchups might happen, thanks to OHSAA revisions a few years ago that annually send路 some Southwest District Division I . teams through the Columbus regionals.

With a surplus of Division I teams in Cincinnati and comparatively few Division! teams around Columbus, there are five Division I districts in Sout}Iwest 0 hio and just three DI districts in Columbus. To even :~-thlng&out,cone..Southwe..st-Ohio. 路 team annually goes through the Columbus region en route to the state .

Final Four. The other four Southwest Districts go through Dayton en route to state.

Similar scenarios have happened the past few years in baseball. Last year, St. Xavier beat Milford in the Division! state final.

The top seeds get first dibs on where to go for sectional/district play. When No. 1 seed La Salle opted for a Cincinnati/Dayton draw at last week's seed meetirig, No. 2 seed Moeller opted for the regional path through Columbus. ''When (La Salle coach) Dan Fleming picked a bracket in Cincinnati, my choice was to go in one of the' other brackets," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "All things being equal, we prefer not to play certain teams for as long as we can."

Both Kremer and Fleming said they'd like to avoid playing teams from their own league -generally considered Ohio's best- for as long as they can. The GCLSouth teams (Elder, La Salle, Moeller, St. Xavier) generally are the teams opponents least like to face in the postseason.

"It wouldn't hurt us to avoid Hamilton and St. Xavier as long as we can, too," Fleming said, mentioning the Nos. 3-4 seeds. "I'm sure the Columbus people weren't too happy to see Moeller go in there .. But in the end, you're usually going to. play a very goo.d team o.nce you get that far anyway."

On the girls' side, Mount Notre Dame will take its regional chances in Columbus, rather than face Chaminade-Julienne before the state tournament. Mount Notre Dame would have had to face C-J at Wright State's Nutter Center, right in C-J's backyard. 路"We preferred to go to Columbus on a neutral court, rather than .playing GJ on a court where they play a lot of games," Mount Notre Dame coach Scott Rogers said, Assuming the seeds hold up, 路 La Salle Will have to get past St. Xavier or Hamilton in the Dayton regionals at UD Arena. Moeller, headed to the Columbus Fairgrounds regional, won't see any of the major Cincinllati powers until the state final.

At the recent seed meetirigs, there was the usual buzz about who was avoiding whom.

"Sometimes, all that talk is overrated," Kremer said. 'The bottom line is you just have to play,whatever venue it is."

True. But it certainly would be fun to see two Cincinnati teams in the DI boys' state final and also to see Mount Notre Dame face C-J in the girls' final.

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer. com

SPORTS

ENQUIRER/CHANNEL 9

The Enquirer and WCP0-1V (Channel 9) will recognize the Tristate's top boys and girls basketball players for 2003-04 with Player ofthe Year awards.

The Enquirer and Channel 9 will feature the region's top players. At the end of the season, a panel of reporters will consult with local coaches to name one male and female Player of the Year.

Here are this week's 10 candidates for our Watch List

BOYS James Dews, lakota East, So., G Is averaging 25.1 points and .2.4 steals,.and totaled 67 points in two games last weekend.

The Cincinnati Enquirer/THOMAS E. WmE La Salle coach Dan Fleming directs ~is team recently during practice. Senior forward Justin Orr (center) · says the Lancers have to be aggressive tonight against the Crusaders.

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Billy Finnell, Purcell Marian, Sr., G Leads the Greater Catholic League North in scoring (18.5 per game), steals (3.5 per game) and is second in assists (3.9 per game).

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latez Williams, Hamilton, Sr., F Is averaging 10 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, helping lead tile Big Blue to a No. 3 ranking in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll.

Travis Rasso, Boone County, Sr., C Had his biggest game of the season, scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in· a victory over Campbell County.

n:

No.1 La Salle takes aim at top-ranked rival Moeller

By Tom Groeschen

No. 1 Moeller at No. 2 La Salle

to beat Moeller, we're going to have to rebotmd the ball I don't lmow if we've got enough firepower to Charles Kinney, Lloyd, Jr., G It's the Game of the Year to date match them offensively. You have Scored 25 points in a loss to in Cincinnati boys .basketball. · Tipoff: 8 p.m., La Salle High School to limit their scoring opportuniScott, including 17 in the fourth Moeller (12-1 overall; 6-0 Greater (sold out). ties." quarter.

Catholic League •South), ranked Records: Moeller 12-1, 6-0 Greater Both teams are big. Moeller has No. 1 in the Enquirer Division I Catholic League South; La Salle 11-0, four players 6-foot-8 or taller, led by the 6-9Yz Brackman and 6-8 Duncoaches' poll, visits No. 2 La Salle 5-0.

(11·0, 5-0) today at 8 p.m. The game Noteworthy: La Salle is the last Ohio can. La Salle. has fi_ve me~ players .Lihdsay::CrumtSycamore, Sr., G.-~· wasosold-out several-days ago,-and- team~to beat Moelrer(6Sc56-at~: .:;~-.:.--~5ortaller, mcluding statfootball_ Leads the team in scoring (10 tl_le teru;ns have been ,ranked 1-2 La Salle, Feb: 14, 2003), which won 1inemen Ryan S?nchek (6-5, 245 . per game) and averages ·2.3 · srnce nnd-J?ecember.- ·. · the Division 1 state title last season. pounds) an.d _Nick Dooros (6-5, steals, helping lead the Aviators to La Salle 1s the last Ohio team to 235) on the mside. a tie for No. 3 in the Enquirer Dibeat Moeller, 68-56 at La Salle on "La Salle certainly has the weapFeb. 14, 2003. That was the 2002-03 La Salle is No. 3 in the AP state ons,'' · Kremer said. 'They've got 1 vision coaches' poll. regular-season finale, and Moeller poll and has several big wins itself, great chemistry and a great go-to Katie Paganelli, McAuley, So., F then ran the table to win the state having beaten No. 3 Hamilton and guy in Justin Orr. We lmow it's gotitle.

No.4 St. Xavier and also winning at ingto be tough to go in there and Leads the team in scoring (12. 7 "It's a great match up, and we No. 7 Elder's "Pit." Moeller is 16-0 win." per game) and rebounding (5.6), lmow they're the last Ohio team to vs. Ohio teams- including 9-0 this Other notable games tonight inwith McAuley ranked No. 5 in the beat us," Moeller coach Carl Krem- season -since losing to La Salle last elude: Enquirer Division I coaches' poll. er said. 'They played well against Valentine's Day. 1111 Also in the GCL South, No.4 Amy Sebastian, us over there last year, and they've The Crusaders are led by their St. Xavier (10-3) visits No. 7 Elder got a fabulous team again."

"Big Three" of senior forwards An· (7-4). landmark Trinity, Sr., F Still, even La Salle agrees Moe!· drew Brackman (19.4 points per . 1111 In the Fort Ancient Valley Has led ~andmark to a 12-0 reler is the clear favorite. game) and Josh Duncan (16.5) and Conference Bucl~eye Division, cord, averaging 24 points and 8 Moeller is rated No.2 in the A&- senior guardBub)Ja Walthe!" (14.5), No.5 Winton Woods (12-1, 8-0) rebounds. sociated Press state poll and No.12 all Division I college recruits. hosts Anderson (8-3, 6-2). Winton nationally by USA Today, with its Brackman has signed with North Woods leads the division, and AnJayme Thiem only loss being .to USA Today's Carolina State, Duncan with Xavier derson is tied with Mason for secNewport Central Catholic, Jr., G No. 1-rated team,· Oak Hill Acade- and Walther with Akron. ond place. . my (Va.). Moeller has buried Cin· La Salle's Orr, nephew offormer Ill In the Cincinnati Hills League, Tallied 13 points and 12 recinnati opponents by an average of Withrow and NBA player Louis Madeira, ranked No. 4 in the En~ bounds in a win over Highlands, 27, with no local team having come Orr, is a Division I prospect and will quirer Divisions II-IV poll, visits then scored 13 more in a win over · closer than 18 points. announce his college choice this No. 9 Indian Hill.

Bellevue.

'They're on the front page of the spring. OrrleadstheLancerswitha l!ll In the GCL North, McNicho. W d 1 S tt S G paperallthetime,andtheydeserve 19.2 scoring average, the only las (5-5,3-3),rankedNo.3intheDiJesslca en en, co ' r., it," said Justin Orr, La Salle's stat La Salle player scoring more than visions II-IV. poll, visits Dayton Scored 16. points in two games. senior forward. "We'll just have to 10 points per game.

Chaminade-Julienne (6-6, 4-3) with be aggressive. Playing at home "We'll play 10 or 12 guys, and first place at stake in the league. should help us, with our fans right we'll sub a lot," La Salle coach Dan F1erning said. "If we have a chance · E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com on top of the court."

TOP 10 OUTlOOK

(All: games 7;30 p.m. unles.s noted)

lliVISIO~ I GOYS 1. Moeller (12·1) beat Cleveland St. Ignatius 84-56 Saturday; Next visits No. 2 La Salle today.

2. La Salle (11·0) beat·Reserve Christian BB·74Sunday; Next: hosts No. 1 Moeller today.

3. Hamilton (10·2) beat Springfield South 63-52 Sunday; Next hosts Middletown Saturday.

4. St. Xavier (9·3) beat Chaminade-Julienne 53-43 Tuesday; Next: at Elder today.

5. Winton Woods (12·1) beat Walnut Hills 65-54 TueSday; Next: hosts Anderson today.

6. Princeton (10·2) beat Milford 58 53 Wednesday; Next: at Galloway Westland Saturday.

7. Lakota East (8·3) beat Middletown 79·69 on Wednesday; Next hosts Fairtield Saturday, 8. Elder (7·4) lost to Holy Cross (Ky.) 54-48 Tuesday; Next: hosts St. Xavier today.

9. Oak Hills (7·3) beat Sycamore 64-57 Thursday; Next: at lakota West Saturday.

10. Withrow (8·3) beatWestem Hills Sunday 72-65; Next: at Woodward today.

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Notebook

Duncan joins 1,000-point club Senior is fourth on Moeller's all-time scoring list

By Tom Groeschen 11ze CincinnatiEnquirer

Moeller senior forward Josh Duncan recently became the fourth Crusaders boys basketball player to score his l,OOOth career point.

Duncan, who has signed witl1 Xavier University, is now at 1,099 points.

He led Moeller to the Division I state title as a junior and hashelpedtheteam to the No. 1 ranking 1. Mount Notre Dame (13·0) beat Purcell in the Enquirerpoll.

Marian 67·2 7Thursday; Next: at ursuline Duncan Bobby Brannen Tuesday.

(Moeller 1991-94) is 2· Princeton (12-1) beat Colerain 62-39 the school's career scoring leader Tuesday; Next hosts Middletown today, 3. Sycamore (10-3) lost to Pnnceton 53-43 with 1,435 points. Next are Byron Saturday; Next: at Colerain Saturday.

Larkin (1981-84) with 1,336 points, 4. Harrison (14-1) beat Winton Woods Matt Sylvester (1998-2001) with 69-64 Thursday; Next: hosts Loveland Saturday. ,179, then Duncan.

1 s. McAuley (8·5) beat Roger Bacon 56·30 Tuesday; Next: hosts Xenia saturday.

IIIII Moeller's game Sunday 6. Winton Woods (9·4) lost to Harnson (3 p.m.) vs. Akron St. V mcent-St. 69-64 Thursday; Next: hosts Amelia Saturday.

Mary will be •played at Akron's 7. seton (7-5) lost to McNicholas 4B-3B James A Rhodes Arena The game Thursday; Next: at St Ursula Tuesday.

8. Hamilton (7·4) beat Middletown 64-50 originally had been scheduled for Saturday; Next: at Oak Hills today. the Cleveland Convocation Center.

9. Colerain (9-5) lost to No.2 Princeton The game pits defending Divi62 ·39 Tuesday; Next: hosts Sycamore Saturday. sian I. state champ Moeller vs. de10. Mercy (5·8) lost to Badin 65-50 on Thursday; Next: hosts McAuley Tuesday. fending Division II champ St. Vin· ~~--'--c=e=n"-'t-S=t'-'.M=~· S}I'SMno_longer has

LeBron James but again is ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Divi-. sion II state poll. Moeller is ranked No. 2 in Division I. GYMNASTICS: Cincinnati Country Day will host its "Indian Cup" gymnastics invitational Saturday at lla.m. Most of the area's top teams will compete, including Anderson, Cincinnati Country .Day, Turpin, Lakota East, :)'ycamore and Seven Hills.

VOlLEYBALl: St. Ursula senior Bryn Kehoe hasbeen named Gat· orade's Ohio prep volleyball player of the year. Kehoe, who led St. Ursula to the Division I state title, was named earlier thi.s month as nationa! player of the year by PrepVolley; ball.com.

FOOTBALL: Scott Miltenberger, former head football coach at Princeton, will come out of retire· ment to be offensive coordinator at Roger Bacon. Miltenberger retired as Princeton head coach after the 2002 season, and returns after a one-year absence from coaching.

Roger Bacon head coach Dan Starkey said Miltenberger will in· stall the spread off_ense he used at Princeton, which has had all-state CjUarterbacks Mike Daniels and

Jarrell Williams running the spread in recent years.

Ill Elder coach Doug Ramsey was named East regional prep football coach of the year by Riddell Footwear, one of six coaches honored nationwide.

Ill Colerain defensive lineman Nick Davis has been nominated as an Old Spice "Red Zone" player of the year candidate.

HALLS OF FAME: Western Brown recently inducted four new Hall of Fame members from the fonner Hamersville and Mount . Orab schools, which merged to become Western Brown in 1971: Leo Bradley, l.any Chadwell, Wade Pope and Tony liming.

1111 Western Hills will induct seven members into its Hall qf Honor on Feb. 4: Dr. Ray Gebhardt (1944, football/baseball); Dr. Connie Det1mer (1949, all-around); Erv Hoinke (1950, bowling); Carol Weiss Kiradjieff (1958, softball); Bill Rothan (1970, basketball/baseball); Karl 'Tu:ffy'' Rhodes (1986, base ball/basketball) and Lori Troescher (assistant AD /softball coach, 21st year at West High).

E-mail tgroeschen@enquirer.com

54-1\ ';}t"-1\. li U> of .

THE CINCINNATI

ENQUIRE~ 6'f

Enquirer file

Despite winning a state title last season, Andrew Brackman and Moeller are ranked No.2 in Ohio ..

Insider

Hello? ·poll voters?·

Not-much respect·· for Moeller: MND .

Hate to get all territorial here, but there were some glaring injustices last week in the :first Associated Press state basketball polls' the season.

Moeller; whose only loss was to

of

USA

Tom

. Groeschen

Today's

No. 1-t'anked Oak Hill · Academy (Va.), deserves to . be ranked N'o.l in Ohio's Divi- . sion I poll but in- . stead is No. z, Mount Notre Dame, which has crushed all Divi' sion I girls opposition, should be ranked higher

tl1an No.4.

But then again, it's our own fault.

TheAP polls are based on votes: of a statewide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, including yours truly. . ..

So, really, what did you exped? ·Much more, honestly.

Hello, people, does anyone remember Moeller won the Division I state boys title last season? Or thi!t the; Crusaders returned their top furee scorers (Josh Duncan, Andrew Brackman and Bubba Wal- th~r) [1-(.)rp. thatteamlJlaLanYOlle _ .noticed Moeller has destrQYed jts .

Cincinnati competition this year, with no local team coming within 18 points of tl1e Crusaders?

Our statewide panel, comprised mostly of upstate voters, apparently sees Moeller lost and therefore ranks the Crusaders second.

Up there at No. 1 is Canton Me- . . Kinley, 8-0 at the time of the voting.

Granted, it's tough for voters to rank teams outside tl1eir region, but how can anyone possibly rank allead of Moeller right now?

At least USA Today has it right.

Moeller is No.12 in that rating, the · only Ohio team in the national poll. .The girls AP state poll is an even bigger joke. · MountNotreDameisonlyNo: 4 despite winning by an average of35 points per game. The No. 1 team is Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, and we'll concede that since C-J is rated No.2 by USA Today and Mount Notre. Dame is No. 20.

But, Beavercreek at No.2? Hey folks, Mount Notre Dame beat Beavercreek by 25 points a few weeks ago. Back where· I cpme from, 25 points is alot.Anyonehappen to notice that, or are you just voting "Beavercreek'' because it won tl1e state title last season? Wake up!

Of course, the AP polls mean nothing once postseason rolls around. For now, they give us a (sometimes inaccurate) gauge of who are the best teams in the state.

They're good for the sake of argument, and you're getting some here.

CLAIR EXITS: ClairMuscaroisretiring after 14 years as Ohio High School Athletic Association com- . missioner, and Cincinnati administratorssalutedhimwithmostlypos- · itive reviews.

Still, the inlpression for some Cincinnati fans is the Muscarowho stumbles over team names while presenting championship trophies . - remember Elder 'Tigers" and St. "Eggs-avier" to name a eouplei'And · Muscaro is the guy who always battles with Cincinnati fans over where to play postseason football.games, right? · Muscaro is a Norfueast Ohio guy and not always popular down here in the Southwest, but most local administrators and coaches say Muscaro and fue OHSAA are pro. fessional and courteous when they call Columbus with a question.

The OHSAA has its warts - remember the Columbus Dispatch story furee years ago that detailed allegations about questionable OHSM practices involving travel, cellphones, meals and expenses?- but in fue long run, it puts the studentathletes first. And fuat's all you can ask. · E-mail igt:IJ_e§_cJ!en@_enquirer.com

USA TODAY SU{}£~r

rankings

High school boys basket/Jail

8. Cedar Hill, Texas (34-1)

Previous: 8. Results: Beat Heritage (CoffeyviUe) 57-42 in Class SA, Regio!ll final. Beat Grand Prairie 57-48 in semifinals. Beat Duncanville 65-45 in quarterfinals.

.

9. Mount Vernon, N.Y. (21-3) Analysis by Christopher Lawlor Previous: 9. Result: Beat White -Shakedown: Seven teams enter the Plains 65-51 to win its fifth consecutive Super 25 ra!lkings, including No.16 ClassAA,Section 1 title. .

Dominguez {Compton, Calif.), which 10. Peoria(ID.) Central (25-2) re-enters after winning the OF-SouthPrevious: 11. Results: Beat Streator ern Section, Division II-A title and is the 93-43 in Class AA, Ottawa Region final. favorite to win the Division II ·state Beat LaSalle-Peru 78-34 in semifinals. crown. No. 19 South Gwinnett (Snell- 11 El ca.,..;no Oceansi·de vilie, Ga.) won the Class SA state title • ""' ·' ' behind Georgia,bound junior G Louis Calif. (30-2) Williams: The other five teams still Previous: 12. Results: Beat San Diehave ganies to play. · • · go High 81-45 in OF-San Diego Section california dreaming: G DeMarcus Division I final. Beat La Costa canyon Nelson ofSheldon (Sacramento) be- (carlsbad)56-53 in semifinals. came california's leading boys career 12. Vashon, St. Louis (30-0) scorer, surpassing Darnell Robinson of Previous: 13. Results: Beat St. FranEmery (Emeryville), who scored 3,359 cis Borgia (Washington) 55-40 in Class points betWeen 1990-93. The !Juke- 4 state quarterfinals. Beat Mary Inbound Nelson enters today's Northern stitute Country Day School 53-35 in California.Oivision 1playoffs with 3,384 sectional playoff. · points. Last month Charde Houston of 13. White Station, Memphis San Diego High set the state girls career (35-2) scoririg record.

Player of the weelc Gjohn Griffin of Previous: 19. Result: Won Region 8No.25 st; joseph~ Prep (Philadelphia) AAA title, beating Fairley (Memphis) scon'd 27. points in an 84-61 victory 45 -38· . against then-No. 25 Cardinal Dougher- 14. Westchester, Los Angeles ty (Philadelphia) in the Philadelphia (20-5) Catholic League final. The BucknellPrevious: 15. Result: Awarded forbound Griffin, who had 13 pointsj!l the feitvictorythis weekvs. Reserve Chrissemifinals vs. LaSalle {Wyndmoor), is tian {La Place, La.). Season complete.. the son offormer Saint joseph's Univer- 15. Simon Gratz, Philadelsity coach john Griffin and is the pbia (25-3) · school's all-time leading scorer.

Previous: 17. Result Beat Frankford Gameoftheweelc Saturday, No. 22 _ to win the Philadelphia Public Bishop O'Connell {Arlington, Va.) vs. 71 53 Cardozo (Wa>hington, D.c.) in the city School League championship. Season , title game. O'Connell {26-3) became complete. the first Virginia school to win the 16. Dominguez, Compton, Was!Jingtim Catholic Athletic Confer- Calif. (27-5) ence championship.

Previous: Not ranked. Result: Beat l~ible: Reserve Christian {La Inglewood 71-58 in elF-Southern SecPiace,jjfa,) and Christian Life Academy lion, Division II-A final.

(Baron R~uge) were told by the Louisi- 17. Mason County, Maysville, ana High School Athletic Association I''~ (27-2) that foreign exchange students. from V• their teams were ineligible.. Both Previous: 20. Results: Won 39th schools must forfeit victories in which District championship, beating Deming the exchange students- participated. {Mount Olivet) 85-39. Beat Fleming Christian Life's case was self-reported, County {Flemingsburg) 77-56 in semiand there'wa> a complaint against Re- · finals. . serve. Th\' ruling affects one Super 25 18. Rice, Manhattan, N.\'. team, No! 14 Westchester (Los Ange- .· (22-5) les ), which lost to Reserve earlie[ Previous: 21. Result: Beat ArchbishBase lines: Coach SpeedyMonis of op Molloy {Briarwood) 68-67 in , No. 25 St Joseph's prep won his eighth CHSAA Class AA City quarterfinals.

Philadelphia Catholic League champi- 19. South Gwinnett, Snell" onship after beating Cardinal Dougher- vill · (31 ") ty. Morris: who previously coached the e, Ga.. ""' LaSalle University men's and women's Previous: Not ranked. Result Won teams, won six titles with Roman Oass SA state championship, beating Catholic {Philadelphia).... Heralded Tift County (Tifton) 75-49. Season 6-6 freshman OJ. Mayo of North 'Col- complete. lege Hill (Cincinnati) was named Divi- 20. Seton .Han Prep, West sian Ill Southwest District player of the Orange, N.J. (25-2) year. Mayo, first team all-state as an Previous: Not ranked. Results: Beat eighth-grader in Kentucl<y, averaged Roselle Catholic 56-34 in North jerse~ 30.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists Parochial A semi-finals.' Beat hnmacand 5.2 steals in the regular season.' .. . ulata {Somerville) 71-4nn quarterfi6-11 C DWight Howard of Southwest nals.

- ·7\tlanl-a-El!ristian mnduded~hiS- prep-"2T.-Taft; Woodland Hills,-_:......_,:: career totaling 26 pomts, 23 rebounds Calif. (27 ") · . - - ... • and 11 blocks in a 63"45 win' vs •• . .,. · · Whitefield Academy (Mableton, Ga.) in Prev1ous: N?t ranked. Result: Beat the .dass A state final. Howard was thet,J-NO. 10. Fairfax )Los Angel~s) 64guarded by 6-6, 230-pound freshman 60 .'~ CIF-C1ty Section Championship Cameron Heyward whose father Craig DIVISion final. "lronhead'' Heywa;d played in theNFL 22. Bishop O'Connell, Ar... GChris Lutz ofTrinity(Manchester, lington, Va. (27-3) N.H.), No.7 mthe East RegiOn, made 10 . Previous· Not ranked Results· Won consecutiy,e. s.hot~, inc!ud~~-_eight :vu·gi!iiiflnd~pend_entschools DiYisionk~::,_:::>:·: hre'e-.:pointers;cm a 66~47 wm vs: Pmo~sfate title; beating Patil Vl\Fairfax) 72' kerton Academy (Derry). Lutz; a 6-3 62. Also won its first-ever WCACcham" senior, scored 29 points in Trini~'s reg- pionship, beating Gonzaga {Washing~ ular-seaso~ finale .... Mater Dei (Santon, D.C) 61-51. ta Ana, calif.), which lost to Inglewood ' 23. De .La Salle,· Concord, 66-56 m the Southern Section DIVISion Cali'f. ( ") ll-A semifinals, did not advance to the .

•. 27""' CIF-Southefn California division tour· PreVIOUS: Not ranked. Resillt Beat nament fdr the first time since 1998 Newa1·k Memorial 54-47 to win OF... Super 2s G Darius Washington of Nort~ Coa>tSection, Division 1champiNo. 7 Edgewater (Orlando) scored 41 onsh1p. • points vs, DeLand {Fla.) in the Class 6A, 24. Fairfax, Los Angeles Region 1 fin!"· .

(23-5) 1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth Previous: 1o. Result: Lost to No. 21 ofWilson, Va, (38"0) .

Taft(Woodland Hills)64:60_inC!F-City Previous: 1. Result: Season com- Section Championship DIVISion final. plete.

• .

25. St. joseph's Prep, Phila-

2. St. Anthony, Jersey City, delphia(25-3) . · . . Previous: Notrank,ed. Re~ult: Wop

NJ. (25-0)

Previous: 2. Result: Beat Hawthorne Christian 79-25 in North jersey, Parochial Bstate quarterfinals. .

Its second consecutive Philadelphia

~atholic League title, beating then-

No, 25 Ca(dmal Dougherty (Phdadelphia) 84-Gl.B~atLaSalle(Wyndmoor) 59-52 m semifinals. Will play March 18-20 in Alhambra Catholic InvitationPreviOus: 3. Result: B.eat St. M"[y's al Tournament in Frostburg, Md. {qrchar~ take). ~1-32. m OperatiOn Dropped out: No. 14 Rainier Beach Fnendship;championship game. • {Seattle) lost to O'Dea {Seattle) 68-64 in 4. Milby, Houston (37-0) . , . double overtime in Oass 3A state tourPrevious: 4. Results: Beat Hightow- nament final; No. 16 Mater Dei {Santa er (Fort Bend) 70-62 in Class SA, Re- Ana, Cali[) lost to Inglewood 66-56 in gion lll·final. BeatA!dine (Houston)71- CIF-Southern Section, Division ll-A; 45 in semifinals. Beat Westbury{Hous- No. 18 Centennial (Compton, Calif.) lost ton) 69-58.in quarterfinals. to Harvard-Westlake {North Holly5. Peabody, Alexandria La. w~od) 74-63: No. 22 Pulaski Academy ' {Little Rock) lo~t to East PomsettCoun(39-0\1 •.· . · ' . ty {Lepanto) m Gass 3A semifinals; PreviOus. 5. Results. Advar:ced to No. 23 Balrersfield (Calif.) lost to Oovis Gass 4A state semifinals, bea_tmg .La.. west (fresno) 58-56 in CIF-Central Grange {Lake Cha~.les) 64-57 m quar- Section, Division 1 final; No. 24 North terfinals.BeatBossler(Shreveport) 74- crowley {Fort Worth) lost to Richland 47 m regio?al playoffs. . ...<--- ,---·-·" (Noitl1Rit11land..!:!!lls) 58-54 in dass 6. West: Aurora,)\urora, Ill. 4A, Region I quarteffill<!ls: and No. 25 (27-1) . ../~· ·. · Cardinal Dougherty (Pilili.dgiphia) lost . Previo~:-15:-'Results: ~eat Neuqua !o St.joseph prep (Philadelphia) 84-61 Valley ].NaperVIlle) 41-26 m Class AA, m. Philadelph1~ Catholic Leag.~e'f'l!lal.

We~t"liurora Regional final. Beat Kane- About the rankmgs:. usA TODAYs super 25 !;trld (Mapl~ Pari<) 81-41 in semifinais. ~~~~~~~~ha~en~~~~~~~~~~;;~~~;i~~~c~~~j 7. f;di!:ewater, Orlando (28-2) sportswriters, analysts and coad1~s- Among Pftlious· 7 Results· Beat DeLand thecnteriaconsJdere?areaschool.s.st~ngth .

• · . ' of schedule, the quality of competition m Its 97-77 m Class 6A, Region 1 final. Beat stateorleagueandthequalityofitsplayers.

Spruce Creek 82-68 in semifinals. ·

3 . Renaissance Detroit • · ' (20-0) • .

Ea.•t

I. StAnthony, jersey City(25-0)

2. MountVemon, N.Y. (21-3) 3. Simon Gratz, Philadelphia(25-3) 4. Rice, Manhattan, N.Y.(22-5) S.Seton Hall Prep,

West Orange, N.J. (25,2) 6. St. joseph's Prep, Philadelphia (25-3) 7. Trinity, Manchester, N.H. (22.{)) 8. Montros~ Christian,

Rockville; Md. (22-4) 9. Cardozo.Bayside, N.Y.(27-4) lO.lincoln. Brooklyn, N.Y. (23-5) South I. Oak Hill Academy, Moutil o~Wilson, Va (38-0) 2. Milby, Houston (37-0) 3. Peabody, Aiexand Jia, Ul. (39-0) 4. Edgewater, Orlando (28-2) 5. Cedar Hill, Texas (34-1) 6.WhiteStanon,Memphis(35-2) . , 7. Mason County, Maysville, Ky. (27-2): 1

B. SOuth Gwinnett,Sne!lvlile, Ga.{31-~)

9.Bishop O'Connell, Arlington, Va. (27'3) --1 D. LexingtOn Catholic,

Lexington, Ky.(27-3)

-

~

·

Midwest 1. Renaissance, Detroit (20~0) 2. West Aurora, Aurora, Ill. (27-1) 3. Peoria (Ill.) Central (25-2)

4. Vashon,St Louis'(30-0)

5. Hornewood~Fiossrnoor, Ill. (26-2) 6. Denby, Detroit(19-1) 7. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (25-2) 8. Moeller, Cincinnati (20-2)

9. Westinghouse, Chlcago(27-3) 10. Hoover, North Canton, Ohio(21-0)

.

West

1. Ei camino, oceansidE, Calif. (30-2) 2~ Westchester, Los-Angeles (20-5)*

3. Dominguez, Compron, Calif. (27 .. 5) 4. Taft, Woodland Hills. Calif. (27-2) 5. De La Salle. Concord, Calif. (27-2) 6. Fairfax, Los Angeles (23-5)

7. Poiy, LongBeach(28-3) 8. Centennial, compton, Calif. (28-3) 9. East, Denver(22-0) 10. O'Dea. Seattle (24-S) '" includes four forfeit losses for usc of Ineligible play~r •

>

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

HIGH tiCHOOLS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2004 · C9

Moeller 74, St. Xavier 56

Boys basketball

Double ouble from Duncan dunks Bombers

La aile escapes Elder upset bid on Orr shot The Cincinnati Enquirer

Crusader scores career-high 30

By Tom Groesehen 17w Cincinnati .1!-ltquirer

Josh Duncan looked like his old self Friday night, in yet another dose of bad news for Moeller basketball opponents.

Duncan scored a career-high 30 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Moeller, the Enquirer's No. I-ranked Division I team, to a 74-56 win over No. 5 St. Xavier before a sellout crowd at Moeller.

"And to think, some people were worried about] osh," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said; smiling.

"Tins was by far the most active and in the flow he's been this season."

Duncan, a 6-foot-8 ail-state senior forward, led Moeller to the state title as a junior and was named Enquirer/Channel9 Player of the Year. But he had arthroscopic lmee surgery in the offseason and missed most of preseason practice and just now is rounding into form.

"Ifs feeling pretty good right .now," Duncan said after Friday's game. ''I'd say I'm back to about 95 percent. With therapy and with God's help, hopefully I'll be ail the way back soon." . . .Duncan, who has signed with Xavier University, averaged 18.9 points last season but his average this season was down slightly; to

15.4, entering Friday.

Fellow senior forward Andrew Brackman, who has signed with North Carolina State, has taken over the Moeller scoring lead at 19.4 a game and pitched in 19 points Friday.

The combination of the 6-foot-8 Duncan (two dunks) and the 6-9lh Braclanan (four dunks) was too much for St. Xavier, which otherwise held its own under the glass.

The Bombers forged a 26-26 tie in rebounding and also have some insidce height and brawn, but not enough scorers the caliber of Duncan and Brackman.

St. Xavier was led by its star, junior guard Johnny Wolf, who had 22 points including several NBArange 3-pointers.

"We have to play a very good game to beat that team," St. Xavier coach Scott Martin said. "We make a few more shots, we're right in it. We feel good because we battled them on the boards, but we have to make a few more shots."

St. Xavier shot 42 percent for the game, Moeller 47 percent But a key stat was turnovers, with Moeller's half-court pressure causing 21 Bombers errors.

Moeller is rated No. 13 national· ly by USA Today, and Duncan's performance only solidifies the Crusaders' status as Ohio's top-

The Cincinnati Enquirer/ JEFF SWINGER

Moeller's Bubba Walther has his

,shot blocked by_ St. Xavier's Tyler Jutte. Walther finished with nine points. ranked team.

Moeller was able to win comfortably despite the third member of its "Big Three," senior guard Bubba Walther, being held to nine points, about five below his average. But Walther was also busy on the defensive end, trying to help guard Wolf. ''We're going to have different guys step up on different nights, and that's what I feel good about," Kremer said. 'TonightitwasJosh, and it was good to see him look like that again."

ST. XAVIER (6·3, 2·2 GCL·S1-lund 2 2 6; Wolf 73 22; Gedeon 2 0 5; Oeye 1 0 2; Sweeney 10 2; Gibler 3 B14; Schoenhoft 2 0 5. Totals: 16 13 56.

MOEllER (10·1, 5·0 GCL·S1 - WaiUrer 3 3 9; Childress 12 5; Duncan 10 7 30; Watt 113; Brac~man 6 7 19; Gomez 0 2 2; Dierker.; 2 0 4; Stova!l1 0 2. Totals: 24 22 74.

5t.Xavier.................................. 9 10 23 14-56 Moeller .................................... 13 14 24 23-74 3-pointers: X 7 (Wolf 5, Gedeon, Schoenhoft), M 4 (Duncan 3, Childress).

Winton Woods 72, Loveland 55

~Warriors

torture coach, Tigers

Winton Woods has strong first half, slips in second half points on the board in opening a struggle at , times. The Tigers .By Carey Hoffman 17-point halftime lead. But the switched to man defense in the Enquirer contributor . Warriors scored just seven min· secondhalfandgainedtheedgein . .

The Arkansas Razorbacks once utes in the first 12 minutes of the intensity. boasted of delivering 40 minutes second half.

Loveland trimmed three points ·of hell. "rhe third quarter is always our off the lead in the tl1ird quarter, • Winton Woods delivered its lowest scoring quarter. We seem then scored three straighj:bask(?ts ~ own version in a 32-minute.high ~to get- teo relaxed-flt'-times,"'-said--mCUEWmtonWoods'leauto52-45'·C 'schoOl"'gaill.e Friday night ~ the . sophQrnQre gl,IW.<LI!e?fu ~WJJHe. wiJ:l>,~s~ minutes to play._ ~-~ , fifst 16 mintites'iri:flided who led Winton Woods with 20 "I chailenged the seniors and Loveland Tigers, the second 16 points. they stepped up," Lumpkin said of minutesontheirowncoach,David White scored 12 first-half his message'during a timeout he Lumpkin. points, including 3-of-4 on 3-point- took at that point. ''When we stop playing as a ers, to lead a successful offense.

Wmton Woods got its next nine team, we're not a very good bas- TheWarriorsscoredon20oftheir points from seniors George Edketbail team," Lumpkin said after 35 first-half possessions, used mondson, Brown and Joel Wynn, his team's 72-55 Fort Ancient Val- their constant pressure defense to which boosted the lead 'to 61-47. ley Conference Buckeye Division force 10 Loveland turnovers and [5·4, 4--2 FAVCJ StJ!Iivan 1D2, Forsythe 5 victory. "If we play individuaily garnished the presentation with a 011,LOVELAND Partridge 1o 2, leever3 0 7, Fields 1 o 2, lngstrup 3 ~ 7 7 21. Totals: 2111 55. and try to be supers4trs, we tend to pair of power dunks, one on a 10, Ramsey WINTON WOODS (9-1, 6·0 FAVC1 -Edmondson 3 2 struggle." breakaway by JamaalAkbar and a 10, White 7 3 2D, tftGee 10 2, Williams 13 5, Akbar31 7, H. Brown 3 3 9, J. Brown 2 2 6, YJ'inn 5 313.-Totals: 2517 The difference was as clear as second on a tip dunk by Harrison 72. ' .

Loveland.................................... 16 12 10 17 -55 · the division between the two Brown.

25 20 .halves. Wmton Woods, the No.6 Oddly, that ail came against Winton woods ......................." .. to 20-12 .

J d' d~ hi h 3-pointers: L- Forsythe, Leever; VIW- Edmondson 2, White team in the Enquirer Division I Love an s zone e1ense, w c · 3. .coaches' poll, put 45 first-half has caused Wmton Woods to

on the

Amelia 37, Mason 34 MASON (7·3, FAVCB 5-11 ~Fawcett 0 2 2. Ham:1an 2 0 5, Rlchburg3 311, Moore 011, Crotty 10 2, Owens -4 413.

TOIEIS 10 10 34. , AMELIA 13·4, FAVCB3·31- Gillespie 12 4, MCC:;ure 21 5, MacFarland2 04, Simpson 5214,Adams 4 210. T~:als 14 131.

MaS<Jn........................................ 8 12 9 s -34 Amelia....................................... 8 12 3 14 -37 3-po!nters: M4 (Richburg2, Harmon, Owens);~ 2 (Siri!pson).

Senior Justin Orr made a steal with 10 seconds left and sank a 17foot bank shot with one second remaining to lift No. 2 LaSaile to a 5654 victory over No. 9 Elder at The Pit. Elder had the- opportunity to take the lead in the final30 seconds.

The Panthers missed two free throws with 25 seconds left before turning the bail over on their final possession.

Orr led ail scorers with 21 points.

Jared Sommerkamp finished with 16 to lead Elder. · ·

·western Hills 62, Woodward 49 WOODWARD (0·51 -. Behanan ? 0 11, HuntEr 3 D 8.

Ward 3 1 7, Hanis 3 1 7, Brinkman 2 0 4, Thornton. '0 2 2, Dillard 2 4 8, Upshaw 0 2 2. Totals: 1810 49.

WESTERN HILLS (6-11 - Horton 4 0 10. Broal<s. ~1 D 6 Redden 7 217, Wright 2 0 4, Russel! 2 0 4, Howarci 3 0 e' Moten 4 311, Mackey 12 4. Totals: 26 762.

• Woodward ................................. 11 11 9 1S -49 Western Hills............................. 12 15 13 22-62 3-point.ers: Woodward 3 (Hunter 2, Behanan); Westerr-. Hills 3 (Horton 2,-Redden).

Shroder Paideia 61, Jacobs 57 SHRODER PAIDEIA (5·2, SOPL 3-01-Johnsao.!13, Dean 2 0 5, Nelson 8 5 21, 0. Cheatham215, R. Cheatham2 610, Janes 3 2 8, Walden 4 1 9. Totals: 22 16 61.

JACGBS 13·6, 2-11- Smith 2 3 7, Jones I 0 2, lllllbum 1 02, Parker 41 9•. Kaiser205, Adams2 2 8, PreSSWClO(j 1o 3, Jarmon 3 0 6, Pringle 3 2 8, McBride 317. Totals: 22 g 57.

LASALLE (8-0, GCL·S 4-01 ~ MansoarO 11, Rubergl2 4, A~nn409,0rr7 521, WelterS 06, Douros419, Teepe30 6.-Totals: 22 9 56.

ElDER (7·3, GCL-54--2}- Walters 4 211, Schuerman 0 2 2, Carey'S 411, Sander4412, Sommerkamp 7216, Wood 1 0 2. Talllls: 19 14 54.

La Salle..................................... 20 12 10 14 -56 Elder ......................................... 14 6 17 17-54 3·polnters: l3 (Flynn, Orr 2); E2 (Walters, Carev).

Shroder Paideia ...... ~.................. 10 19 14 lS -61 Jacobs....................................... 12 14 13 lS -57 3~polnters: SP 1 (Dean); Jac 4 (Kaiser, Adams 2, Pre~:woad).

Seven Hills 38, CHCA 36

N. College Hill 69, Lockland 61

CHCA (0·8, 04J!WCI- McAIRster 13 5, Slzemorr;O! o 11, Hoyer 2 2 7, Simmons 2 0 6, Ha!12 6 10, Riewald. :1 2 4.

Lowenstein 113. Totals: 9 15 36.

SEVEN HILLS (3-5, 3-2) - Barr 2 0 6, Grimme '1 2 5, Whipple 5 111, Schultz 3 0 6, Tabor 2 0 4, Sullivan. :1 0 2, Drane 2 0 4. Totals: 16 3 3B. CHCA .......................................... 1 11 13 U -36 Seven Hills................................. 8 11 9 1.~ -38 3-pointe!S: CHCA 3 (Hoyer, Simmons 2); SH 3 (!Sarr 2, Gnmme).

J.R Rodarmelhad17 points, 16 in the fourth quarter, as NCH handed Lockland its first loss.

OJ. Mayo led the Trojans with 26 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

McNicholas 5I, Purcell Marian 35

LOCKLAND 17-11 ~ Ogletree3 210, Hams 8 9 27,Sneed 1 o 3, Gibson 1 o 2, Collins 4 313, Farley 216. Totals: 1915 61.

NORTH COLLEGE HILL (9-0)- Moore 1 0 2, Roundtree 2 2 7, Mayo 11126, Rodannel4 717, Wilhite3 0 6, Victorian 3 2 9, G. Evans 1 0 2. Totals: 2512 69 .

Lockland..................................... 8 13 14 26 -61 North College Hill ....................... 14 19 9 27 -69 3-pointcrs: Lockland B (Harris 2, Dg!etree 2, Collins 2, Farley, Sneed); North College HiU 7 (Mayo 3, Rodarmel2, Victorian, RotJndtree).

MCNICHOLAS (5-4, GGCL3·21- Faltt011, 0ym<ant4 8 17, Yards 2 4 B, Guy 2 D5, Ward 4 0 9, Roflow2 0 5, Stamper 113, Schlagheck 113. Totals 16 15 51.

PURCEll MARIAN (3·7, GGCL 1-41 - Pastar<2 0 5 Spalding 2 2 6, Finnell 50 11, Mason 2 5 9, Willis: ~1 0 2: Deluca 1 D 2. Totals 13 7 35.

McNicholas.............................. 8 12 13 U: 51 Purcell Marian......................... 8 7 6 ~.4 35 3-pointers: MN 4 (Dyment, Guy, Ward, Rofiow); PM 2 (~··astor, Finnell).

Roger Bacon 61, Kettering Alter 45

Deer Park 62, Indian Hill 52 INDIAN· Hili (5·2, 3-1 CHL1· Madden 4 0 8, B3<.1e 3 0 7, Miller 3 613, Wolfenden 215, Nolte 3 0 6, Shah.;:; 113 Totals: 21 8 52.

DEER PARK 17·2, 2·21 ~Brown B 4 20, Annstrw1g 2 5 13, Ayeffi 6 6 20. Mason 3 3 9. Totals: 19 18 62.

Indian Hill ..........,...................... 18 8 13 1~ -52 Deer Park.................................. 16 13 16 l7 -62 3-pointers: IH 2 (Bade, MJ!Ier); DP (Armstrong 2, A~·ers 2, Mason 2).

Ben Haarman scored 11 of his 30 points in the second quarter as Bacon won its first game.

ALTER [4-6, GCL 2-41- Jasper 1 o 2, Roderer 3 19, Fortner 2 4 9, Dorow 3 D 6, Freshwater 0 2 2, Morgan 1 0 3, Riazzi 53 14. Totals 1510 45.

ROGER BACGN (1·10, GCl1·51- Shepard I 02, Bettis I 0 2, Haarman 8 9 30, Nolan 113, WalkerO 2 2, Duffy 5111, Knecht5111.Totals 1714 61. .

Aller........................................... 9 · 6 9 21 45 Roger Bacon ............................. 9 15 16 21 61 3-pointers: A 5 (Roden:r 2, Fortner, Morgan, Riazz:i); RB 5 (Haarman). '

Taft 58, Aiken 47 AIKEN [44,3-21- Barnett33 9, Withers13 5, Q~i..:.per 1 0 2, Palmer 2 0 4, Kinles 113, Robinson 6 3 15, Johns_~n 4 o 8, Reese 011. Totals: 181147.

TAFT (6-1, 4-0]- Gray 5 617, Byrd 2 5 9,J Barn•ttt5 0 10, Stone 317, Donald2 611, Covert2 0 4. Totals: 1918 58 Aiken.......................................... 11 17 6 l.:S Taft............................................ 6 17 14 21-58 3-pointers: T 2 (Gray, Donald). ·

-47

Landmark 73, New Miami 68

Colonel White Tl, Hughes 60

Junior guard Sonny Snell made 19 ·of 22 free throws and scored a game-high 37 points. ·

COLONEL WHITE (6.11- Walker 2 D 6, Ball 2 (l 4, D. 8rown2 04, Elliott1 0 2, Ha1!ey 7 016, Gray 5 212, Millum 10 a 20, A. Bmwn 5 313. Totals: 34 5 77.

HUGHES (2·51 -Scott 4 2 10, Smith 215, Grnv'ifO 116 29, Baynes 5 0 !0, Johnson I 0 2, StEele 1 0 2, StErr 1 0 2.

Totals: 25 9 60.

Colonel Whne............................ 18 21 13 2,; -77 Huglles ....................................... 15 19 8 l'S -60 3~pointers: Colonel Wlite 4 (Walker 2, Hailey 2); Hur!irJes i G ) " ( raves·

LANDMARK (5·4, MVC 3-21- McGuffi' 12 4, Snel1719 37, Rosser 3 2 8, Medley 6 214, Wolford 3 0 6, Bryan 2 0 4.

Totals 22 2513.

NEW MIAl\11(4-5, MVC2·31- Rabens2 3 8, Allen 50 14ri'I·,Faoxms41D09,2D.'rov~~slsan232 3167,6S8helley2 0 4, i<Jmbell610 24, W w

_.Lan~marll ..............................'..... 19 22 13 19 73 'ffcW1illiii_ iaml:.;.,::;:;;;;'",;;£;;;;'.;;;~,~ 1 ~r:cilf"i24,.'GS··;,..TUrpin

,

· .

,

3·POI.nter-t l4 (Snell~, NM 8 (Roberts, Allen 4, Krmbell2, Fo:<)

-Aiiiferslln '86, Wruiilit-Hms5:r-Senior guard Ryan Patzwald scored a career-high 34 points, inCluding seven 3-pointers.

WALNUTHILLS[1·7,1·5FAVC-B)- Acnff2 4 9, Salone 4 0 9, Captain 12 4, Ellison 2 2 6, Hoyt5 0 10, Simmons 3D 9, Rodgers 2 0 4. Totals: 19 8 51.

ANDERSON 15·3, ~2)- Patzwald 12 3 34, lmpelllzzeri B 0 20, Shingleton 3 0 6, Wilkinson 10 2, Shoemaker 4 210, Veil 1 D2, Snouffer 3 0 6, Zeis 1 0 2, Hels 2 0 4. Totals: 35 5 86.

Walnut HHis .......,........................ 21 8 11 11-51 Anderson.................................... 25 15 21 25 -86 3-pointe!S: WI--I 5 (Simmons 3, Acoff, Sabne); A 11 (Patzwald 7, Jmpellizzeri 4).

·

-, ,-._~; ..90;-Goshen':7o, ~, o:-:: ..:--:~T··.

Stivers 75, Clark Montessori 53 CLARK MONTESSORI (3-2, 1·21 -lewis 3, Cuny 23.

Willy 11, Hickson 2, Gibbs 12, Brown 2. Totals 19 9 53.

STIVERS (3·5,1-11 ~Morgan 6, Davis 10. Byrd 7, Hefiln 28, Darby 17, Lynn 2, Frazier 1, Styles 4. Totals 30 9 75.

Clark Montessori........................ 15 10 14 14 53 Sti11ers ........................................ 9 11 28 22 75 3-polnters:·CM 4 (Curry 3, Lewis); Stlvers 6, Heflin).

Chaminade-Julienne 39, Badin 36 CHAMINADE (NA1 ~Brown 4 0 8, PatJick2 2 6, Collins 0 2 2, Turner 42 11, Troutman 2 3 7, Stovall 1 o 2, Dees 10 3.

Totals: 14 9 39.

BADIN (1-8, GCL 0-51 - Roe~ch 2 0 4, Maus I 0 2, Strittltolt3 0 6, Young215, Martini B 0 1B, PaterO 11. Totals: 16 2 36.

Cltaminade ................................. 15 8 12 4-39 Bedln ....................................... 14 14 6 2 -36 3-polnters: CJ 2 (Turner, Dees); Bad 2 (Martini 2).

Summit 45, CCD 32 CCD (2-41 ~Ward 215, Graves3 2 9, Brownstein 10 2, Bope 3 1 7, Smith 4 1 9. Totals: 13 5 32.

SUMMrr (2~5) -Schmidt113, Koepfer1 0~ DonovanO 11, Berry3 5 12;Meininger04 4, Sneed1 D2, Madden 22 6, Tieman 3 814. Totals: 112145.

CCD........................................... 4 8 13 . 7 -32 Summit .. :....................................

9 13

5 18-45

3-pointers: C-1 (Graves); S 2 (Koepfer, Berry).

Little Miami 4~ Ross 39 LITI!.E MIAMI I5-6,2-41- McKeehan 6 518, McVeyO 3 3, Masters 011, McNil3 0 7, Ball 3 0 6, Brewsaugh 3_0 6.

Totals: 15 9 41 ROBS 11·7, 0.51 - Schwaeppe 3 0 8, [)Yaung 2 D 5, Moore 2 0 4, KYoung 2 0 4, SYoung 9 0 18. Totals: 18 0 39.

Utile Miami............................... 11 8 13 9 -41 Ross.......................................... 8 4 16 11-39 3-pointe!S: lM 2 (McKeehan, McNil); R 3 (Schwoeppe 2, D Young).

Harrison 59, Glen Este 52 HARRISON INA1-lefeve<2 0 4. Hatapp 2 59, Kuhlman 10 2, Houchin 6 318, Haynes 6 0 14, Meyers 2 2 6, Teeters 11 4, Sullivan 1 0 2. Totals: 211159.

GLEN ESTE 10.8, FAVC 0·51 ~ ~rby 5 4 16, Jackson 11 3, Mccaua 3 1 7, Ke/Ss 1 o 2, Euton 5o 12, Walker 2 4 8, lester 2 o 4. Totals: 19 10 52.

Harrison..................................... 13 15 14 17 -59 Glen Esle .................................... 16 2 13 21-52 3-pointers: Har 5 (Houchin 2, Haynes 2, Teeters); GE 4 (Kirby 2, Euron 2).

Madeira 71, Taylor 54 MADEIRA 17·2, CHL 4-01 ~ Schwein 5 315, Rust 10 3 27, GII!Jgan 318, Heisel3 2 9, StetJr2 0 4, Donaldson 1o 2, Farnham·! 0 2, Strohmaier 12 4. Totals: 261171. . TAYLOR ll·B, 0-41- Strecktuss 50 12, Smith 8 120, NICOlaou 6 0 14, Wanstrath 4 D8. Totals: 23154.

Madeira ............,.............,........., 27 18 11 15 -71 Taylor....................................... 16 18 10 10-54 3-p~inters: Mad 8 (Rust 4.' Schweln 2, Gilligan, Heisei);Tay 7 (Smith 3, StreCkflJSS 2, NICOlaou 2).

Northwest 83, Kings 70 NORTHWEST (6-2, FAVC.C 4-11 - Knott 8 0 20, Pleasant2 2 6, Kane 10 2, Hubbard 10 2, Chappell 112 24, 0. P~asant 6 B 20, Wilson 51 11. Totals: 34 13 83.

KINGS (6·5, FAVC.C 3-31- Morgan 0 2 2, McCarty 2 0 6, Begley D3 3, Testerman 2 2 6, Kies 4111 •. Heaton 5 414, McDonald 8 0 16, Burgess 3 612. Totals: 2418 70.

Norllnvest ......,........................... 25 21 13 24 -83 Kings ..:....................................... 14 16 21 19-70 3-pointers: N 2 (Knott2): K 4 (McCarty 2, Kies 2).

Lebanon 94, Carroll 76 CARROU 12·6, MML 2·51, Weisman 2 0 5, Mosher7 1 17, McCieartn 9 4 22, Spencer 6114, McCoart113, Heider3 18. Elam 2 21. Totals: 30 10 76.

LEGANON (8-3, 6·11 ~Smith 1 0 2, A. Pritchard 4 0 B. T. Prltchard 6 6 22, Schomo D11, Hammons 9 2 24, Howard 61 14, Langston 5 818, MJValjevic 2 0 4, Heileman 011. Totals: 3319 94.

Carron......................................... 13 13 21 29-76 Lebanon .................................... , 23 19 28 24 -94 3-pointers: Car 6 .(Weisrilan, Mosher 2, Spencer, Heider, Elam); Leb 9 (f. PritChard 4, Hammons 4, Howard).

Cin. Christian 63, St. Bernard 58 CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN 16-2, 3-21 -Totten 2 2 6, Moon 3 110, Thomas 3 410, Hauer 3 713, Hom B 016,

_~ ~-ST-.u.ontvti\ Davenpo~~!.~"H e a d t o 2 Totals 2215 63 0 12•6, 1-4-...

1 Gridet14 7, Ralston 2 0 A, -

GOSHEN-:: Hopkins 2 0 4• Anderson 3 612, lehnwrt2. 0

Crank 50 11, Williams 7 a 22, Rose 3 ol7, Byrd 317 Totals

TURPIN (7·11 -Giassmeye<O 11,Sionlm3113, R:lfg5 4 14, Bowen2 04, Burlas 3 511, Norwell9 5 23, ScwirtzS::6 24.

Totals: 3128 0.

Goshen..... -................................. 6 23 16 33 -78

Sl Bernard ................................ , 9 11 14 24-58 3-pointers· c 4 (Moon· 3 Dav npo•)· 5 3 (G "de c k Rose'). . , e 'l ' , n r, ran ,

.

I~~~~~~~2~N''~!,~tPs ~Jh20- 4• McCianahnm 2 3 -~~~~~~,;,'!ti Chri~-;~.:...~:..:.~.::.:.:JA-2a-1s

Turpin ..................................... 16 23 23 z;: ..go 3-polnters: Goshen 8 (Monk 4, Lehnert 2, Bumnel!, McClanahan); Turpin none.

Mariemont 67, Finneytown 52 MARIEMONT (3-5, CHL 1·31- Kelly 4 314,Amis:;; 412, Shaver 4 3 11. Brawn 6 8 20, Donovan 0 11, Phillips 3 3 9.

Totals: 20 22 67.

FINNEYTOWN (3·5, CHl1·3)- Under13 6, Thornton 3

~~S~~~s;~ ~?T~:~~~f~~: ~2.~3, Jackson 12 4, Warr.fN 3 3

Mariemont............................... 12 14 10 3J. -67 Finneytown ................................. 6 15 10 21 -52 3.polnters: M 5 (Kell}' 3, Amis 2); F 5 (Under, ThomitJn 2 Hawkins 2). , '

14 -63

Wilmington 48, Norwood 47 NORWDODI3·6,FAVC2-41-B!ai<40 11 Brovming30 8, Worrell 31 7, Hilton 3 o ,6, McCarthy 2 2 6, De Piano 4 0 9.

Totals: 19 3 47.

WILMINGTON 19-1, 5·11- GrCNe 4 0 11, Nance 1 D 2, Jones 2 0 5, Starkey 2 15, James 3D 7, Hollingsworth 58 18.

Totals: 11 9 48.

Nonvood ..................................... 17 10 13 7 -47 Wilmington................................ 14 9 16 9 -48 3-pointe!S: Nor6 (Biair3, Brownlng2, DePiano); Wll5 (Grove 3, Jones, James).

Girls basketball

Kehoe tops All-America volleyball team Ursuline senior Stephanie Blackburu, Mason senior Nicole Britenriker, St. Ursula senior Beth Gillming and Mount Notre Dame senior Danielle Meyer.

Kehoe also made first-team AliAm~'rica as a junior in 2002.

The Cincinnati Enquirer

. St. Ursula senior Bryn Kehoe Jeads a list of several Cincinnati ar,ea players on the PrepVolleyball.. com All-America team, announced Friday by the ,.California-based Web site.

Kehoe, who Thursday was .named national Player of the Year ·.by PrepVolleybail.com, led St. Ursula to the Ohio Division I state title this season.

Other Cincinnati players on the 100-member All-America team are

-

Tom Groeschen

HAMILTON FOOTBALL: "Acting" has been removed from coach Mark Kalugyer's title.

This week the Hanillton Board of Education named Kalugyer the team's permanent coach. And as

he enters his 20th year of coaching - his third season at Hanillton Kalugyer says he's ready to bring respect back to the Big Blue.

'The very first thing you'll see is a disciplined, get-in-your-face team," Kalugyer said Friday. "We want to play good, fundamental footbail and bring respect back to Hanillton again." , Before corning to Hamilton ad an assistant coach in 2002, Kalu·. gyer spentseven years as Spring· boro's head footbail coach. i -

Sue Kiesewette~

The Cincinnati Enquirer

Colerain ................:.................... 14 16 19 14. -63 3-pointe!S: H 6 (Faubion 4, Delong, Fansler); C4 (EchcJtes 2 · tftAipin, Focke). '

~~~~~Xn\oD ~. ~~~~\~ ~~ 3~.B1ien 4 0 8, Loper 3 410,

Reading ...................................., 5 2 Wyoming.................................... 10 16 3~pointers: R 2 (Penter2); W 1 (Wowry).

1

HAMILTON (8-4, 6·2 GMC1 - Faubion 10 7 31, Burbridge 10 2, Delong 3 0 7, Benison 2 610, Samples 50 1D, Fansler 216. Tolllls: 23 l4 66.

COLERAIN 18-4, 5·31 ~ Echoles 10 123, McAlpin 2 0 5, Clifton 14 6, Moening30 6, Ues022, Brown 2 06, Focke24 9, Hale 2 2 6. Totals: 2313 63.

HamiHon.................................... 12 15 14 25 -66

Middletown ............................... , 13 11 12 A-40 3-pointers: lE 5 (Mischier2, Bradley 2, Heger).

Wyoming 37, Reading 24 READING (5·6, O·S CHL1- Penter 4 D10, K. Ely~ 2 B MiJ!erD 2 2, Koetter D2 2, Walkins 1 0 2. Totals: 8 6 24 ' WYOMING (7·2, 5·0) - Moore I 0 2, Mow~ 4 ~ ·11.

512, Tepe 03 3, Crum 6416, Trembay 1 o 2, Shuller 4 413.

Totals: 161151 OAK HILLS (4-6, 4-41 - Brode< 2 3 7, Cain 4 1 9, Bohache 3 0 6, Drapp 2 0 4, Rusche 6113. Totals: 17 5 39.

Sycamore............................... 6 13 9 23 -51 OakHIIIs..................................... 8 10 11 10-39 3-pointers: Syc 2 (Marks, Shutler).

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2 15 -24

Jessica Benison scored a basket 6 5 -37 with 35 seconds remaining, and Lakota East 43, Middletown 40!

Alyssia Faubion made two free Meagan Bradley's 3-pointer w:ith Princeton 55, Milford 40 throws with four seconds to play as seven seconds to play won it for the MILFORD- Bates 13 5, Shifi<3 0 8, Allison 0 2 2, Smith Owens 1 2 4, Wilkins 6114. Totals: 13 1140.

Hanillton beat Colerain .66-63 Fri- Thunderhawks, who b-ailed by 18 2 3 7,PRINCETON (10·1, f!.O GMCI ~Bridge 5 D10 Watkins 4 day night. " 0 8, Fairbanks 4 0 8, C. Dowdy 3 0 6, Cox 5 212, Duncan 2 3 points after three quarters.

7. Peterson 2 0 4. Totals: 25 5 55.

Faubion finished with 31 points LAKOTA EAST I2·8,1·7GMC1-WycK!lff 419, Mi~chler Milftlrd........................................ 11 9 6 14-40 Heger2 0 5, Turner! 0 2, Bradley 4 010, Marsh.-: 1111 Princeton.................................... 14 18 13 10 -ss for the Big Blue, No. 10 in the En- 3,3 210, McDaniel! 0 2, Krieger 1 D 2. Totals 17 4 43. · 3-poinlers: M 3 (Shirk 2, Wilkins). quirer Division I area coaches' poll.

MIDDL£TOWN (3·8, 1·71 - Veatch 2 7 II, Rossi ~ 1 3 Thmwer 0 11, Farthing 12 4, Frazier 5 111, Robens 2l '3 7' Danyelle Echoles scored 23 points Terhune 113. Totals 12 !6 40. ' Sycamore 5I, Oak Hills 39 Lakota East ..........................,,., 6 7 5 2S -43 for Colerain.

SYCAMORE (10·2, 8-1 GMC1- Sweeney 2 15, Mafks 3

SKI SPORTS

· 7565 Kenwood Road Corner of Montgomery Rd. next to Trio's Restaurant 513-745~0099

WE

.Moeller 74, La Salle ,61

Crusaders knock off top-ranked Lancers

The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

La Salle's Darenn Mansoor is pressured by Moeller's An' drew Gomez on Friday night.

Moeller avenges earlier defeat fo Orr-less La Salle

By Tom Groeschen The Cinciimati Enquirer

Moeller got 30 points from senior forWard Andrew Brackman and La Salle could not overcome the absence of injured star Justin Orr, as the Crusaders won 74-61 at Moeller on Friday night.

La Salle,l9-0.and ranked No.1 in both the Enquirer and Associated Press Division I state polls, learned Thursday that Orr - its top scorer at 18.4 points per game ' - would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, Moeller, 17-2 and ranked No.2 by the Enquirer and No.3 in the state, rolled to a21-pointleadin tl1e second quarter. (40-19) and cruised from there.

The Crusaders forged a tie withLaSalleforthe Greater Catholic League South title, both teams finishing 11-1 as tl1e league closed down tl1e regular season.

"Most people thought we'd beat them by 20.without Orr, but we knew they were more than a one-man team," Moeller senior guard Bubba Waltl1er said. "We The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER knew how tough they were. Any time you beat the No. 1 team in Moeller's Andrew Brackman, who scored 30 points, sinks a rethe state, you know you've done verse layup in the second quarter of Friday's win over La Salle. something." ' · But it wasn't the same Lancer. just 38 in tl1e first La Salle game. · Crusaders' senior night teamthatups~ttl1en-No.1M:oel·Mocller, with four players at "We were pretty close to ler 52-51 at La Salle on· Jan. 23. least 6-foot:S, had too much size knocking them out there in the Without 6-foot-6 forward Orr, La for a La Salle team with only one second quarter, and they hung in Salle has no other player averag- player as tall as 6-6. . there," Kremer said. 'To their 'They killed us on the boards credit, tl1eyplayed us tough." ing at least 10 points pei: game.

La Salle played a smart, patient (45-26), and we dug ourselves a Moeller's win tlrrows the state game and worked the ball well of- big hole there in the second quar- and Enquirer polls into some fensiv~ly. ter," La Salle coach Dan Fleming . doubt. The final voting for both · Lancers forward Zach Welter said. "But I was proud of how we will be conducted over the next scored 19 points; forward Colin fought back, and the fact that we few days, with.results announced next week.

Flynn had 12 and guard Darenn won the second half."

La Salle outscored Moeller 38Mansoor scored 10, but La Salle · 34 af·ter halfti'mean · d wasascose J La SALLE 119·1, 11·1 GCL·S) - Mansoor 3 2 10; c uldn't m at. ch· tJ1e ·0 ffenSJVe· -~ Wie@e309;Fiynn3312;Welter8219;0ooros055; ITilglitOIMOeiier. · ··~··~-IO·poi:rrtswjth-Z:45-ieft-;-lml'-a-Teepe 3_0.£.J:otals:.2llJ2.6L_ _. - · _ _ caJ1 ·d "B'lg barrage of 3'POillters · (La MOELLER [18·2, U-1 GCL·S) - Walther :ni IT;"" M oe11er's so- e Salle Duncan 5 8 18; Oierkers 2 0 4; Trainor 1 0 2; Watt 113; Three" of Braclanan. (30 points made 12 to Mo'eller's two) wasn't' .Brackman 117 30; Stovall2 0 4. Totals; 25 22 74.

14 9 20 18 1 eightrebounds',6-8forwardJosh' enough to ch1'p the lead under tasqne ...................................

-s '.1 Moeller .....,... ;........................... 18 22 16 18-74 Duncan (18 points, seven re- double figures' .

3-pointers: l12 (Wiegle3, Rynn 3, Mansoor2, Welter), M 2 bounds) and point guard Waltl1er Moeller coach Carl Kremer sa- (Brackman, Walther).

(13 points, six rebounds, seven as- luted La Salle's effort, coming be- ---------~­ sists) combined for 61 points after fore a pro-Moeller crowd on the Email tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Lancers' offense cools without Orr La Salle's scoring lulls let Moeller run away with game

By Mark Schnietzer

-

No.1inthestateandEnquirerDi- many as 21 points in the quarter to

vision I polls and beat the Crusaders by one point on Orr's 3-pointLa Salle fans who don't follow er earlier in the season, lost 74-61 University of Cincinnati basket- in the rematch. ball now can identify with Bear"It was tough watching, but the cats supporters. team fought hard," Orr said. · UC fans saw their- title hopes. 'That made me feel good." go down tl1e drain when national Orr could only sit and watch as player of the year Kenyon Martin La Salle's offense produced open suffered a broken leg in the first shot after open shot from the peround of the Conference USA rimeter in the second quarter.

Tournament his senior year.

But the only one that connected And Lancer fans can only pray was TimTeepe's 15-foot jumper for a miracle after seeing what life from the free-tl1row line witl1 4:53 will be like for their tean1 without left in the quarter; tl1e other two Justin Orr. Orr, a 6-foot-6 senior field goals were a putback by forward, sat out Friday's game Zach Welter and one off a steal of with Moeller because of a season: · an inbounds pass by Darenn ending knee injury. The Lancers, Mansoor. who entered the game ranked Moeller expanded its lead to as Enquirer co1ttributor

take control oftl1e game.

'That'swhere we really missed Justin," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. 'We hit a dry spell there.

When we would hit a dry spell before,] ustin would still hit a couple of baskets or get a couple of rebounds." , The Lancers also missed Orr's defense on Moeller senior Justin Brackman, who had 30 points Friday after scoring just 15 with Orr defending hin1 in the first game.

The goodnews for LaSalle was Orr's replacement, 6-foot-4 senior ZachWelter, scored a team'high 19 points in his first non-Senior Night start ofthe season.

"He still hasn't reached his potential," Orr said.

Hamilton 50, Princeton 48, OJ .

Big Blue keep cool, clinch GMC. championship outright number," said Princeton coach Paul Andrews.

He was referencing the same Tournament time arrived a game as Williams, Hanillton's 66game early at Princeton Friday 64 win in last year's tournament. night, and tl1e ending was one La-· That garrie saw Hamilton nail tez Williams and his Hanillton tlrree decisive 3-pointers late. Fritean1mates had survived before. day, the Big Blue missed that nor· "It felt like the regional semifi- · mally. potent part of their game, nalslastyear," said Williams, the hittingononlyfourof17attempts. biggest playmaker at the end in Defensive pressure, which Hanillton's 50-48 victory in over- forced 24 Princeton turnovers, time Fridayllight. "Every time we was enough to save-Hanillton. playthem,it'stight."

The Vikings overcame an The win, in the· final regular- eight-point fourtb.-quarter deficit , season game for both teams, gave ·when point guard Winston Vickthe Big Blue the Greater Miami ets scored on a stickback with Conference championship out- 1:47 left. Those were the final right. It was the 15th straight vic- points of regulation. tory for Hanillton, No. 3 in the EnVickers' steal and fast-break quirer Division I coaches'· poll, layup put Princeton up 46-43 with and brokeN o. 4 Princeton's nine- 2:32 left in overtime. Williams, game win streak. playing without fouled-out center 'We've lost to them twice now Jason Miller by his side, then in ovei:tin1e. They might have our blocked a shot by Princeton's

By Carey Hoffman

E11qttirer contributor

Mark Dorris- one of four·he had in the game- and hit afoul shotto tie the game at 46-46 \vith 1:53 'to play. He tied the game again at4848 on a stickback with 1:24 to go.

"He's truly atllietic," said Princeton's Dorris, wh,o led all scorers with 17 points. "He had key blocks, including two on me, and it's been a while since that happened."

Princeton turned over the ball wit1147 seconds left, lPJd Brandon Lampley ·scored for Hanillton with 12 seconds left to play.

Princeton failed to get a final shot, unabletoescapeHanillton's traps in the open court.

HAMILTON !18·2, 15·1 GMCJ - Lampley 4 1 9, Williams 4210, Broo<e 12 4, Huff3 1 8, Myem.Yihlte 3 0 8, Alleri 3 0 7, Miller 2 0 4: Totals: 20·49 6-10 50.

PRINCETON 117-J, 14-21- Morin 2 4 v.ckcrs 41

s,

}~ia'l;,u1~o4~ ~~1~",fa'" 102, Nelson 4 os, Dorris 7 217

6 11 12 13 B-50 6-48 Princeton .....................;...... 10 7 8 17 3-polnt goals: H- Huff, Myers-White 2, Allen: P- Vickers, Dorris .

Hamilton...............................

..

1

Ns for

Balanced·. · Big Blue in state title game··.

•. Hamilton holds off McKinley, ·to face St. John's

By Tom Groeschen The Cincinnati Enquirer

coLmmus - Hamilton · rode its customary balanced scoring and tight defense into the Division I boys' state basketball ffual here Friday night, with a 6356 semi:fimil win over Canton McKinley, · Fo!Ward latez Williams scored 18 points, guard Derrick Huff had 14, guard Brandon Lampley scored 12 imd center Jason Miller scored 10 points.

Hamilton (24-2) carries a 21game win streak into the final . here today (8:30p.m.) vs. Toledo St. John's Jesuit (23-4), which beat Columbus Brookhaven 5754 in· Friday's first semifinal game. ;foledo St. John's, riding a 15-game win streak, was not ranked in the!finalAssociated Press state poll of the regular season; .. · , Hamilton was No.8. , · f--.~Hey,. hey..-he~vve'r~in... the--~-., state fuals!" ·~ jubllant Hamilton. · coach larry Allen said, speaking .. above the postgarne din just moments after the final buzzer. · Williams and Miller each had 10 rebounds, and Lampley had five assists before 15,252 fans.

Hamilton led most of the way, fell behind '52-50 with 4:10 left, then closed with a 13-4 scoring burst.

Hamilton, with no player averaging more than 10.5 points ·a game, advanced with teamwork and defense. The Big Blue outshot Mcl{inley 48 percent to 41 percent and held top McKinley scorer Stan Hall tci 14 points on 3for-llshooting. . .

Hamilton 'was making its first state tournament appearance since 1954, when it won the last of its three state titles. · 'We feel privileged just to step on the Ohio State court," Hamilton's Huff said. .· . :, Allen, the gray-haired, 50-year: old coach, wore his Big Bl11t! heart on his sleeve again Friday.

He was a star player at old Hamilton Taft High School, witl1 tlie Hamilton. school disbict split int(j two schools, Taft and Garfield; in

The Enquirer/STEVEN M. HERPPICH

Hamilton's Latez Williams goes up for two of his 18 points . Friday night in the Division I semifinal. '

Division I regional final, Brookhaven 52, Moeller 48

Broo aVen ·returns favor Was beaten in final last year By _Colleen Kane · · 11ze Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - Moeller had ·the makings to make its next step toward defending its state championship Saturday night But Brookhaven had the moti· .vatioh. , · Brookhaven avenged its 2003 state · championship defeat to Moeller with a 52-48 win over the Crusaders at the Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Brookhaven advances to next week's Division I Final Four.

Moeller ends its season 22-3 and loses seven players to graduation.

'They're heartbroken in there.

I've never seen a locker room like that before. I don't even know how we're going to get out of here tonight;" Moeller head coach Carl Krerner said. "But no blame to them: They left it aU on the floor."

Brookhaven senior guard Denzel Lyles got the biggest revenge of all.

Lyles had committed a key turnover to push the state.championship in Moeller's favorlastyear, but he made two 3-pointers and 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch . Saturday to seal the Bearcats' ,win.

Lyles finished 9-of-21 from the :field ,... including :five 3-ppi.iJ.ters ..,. for 26 points.

"It feels real good because everybody's been doubting us since last year. And plus I made. a rnistake on that last possession {last Jiear), and I made up for that tonight," Lyles said. "My teammates kept telling me to shoot .the ball.

So they must have known better than me that I was going to hit them. I just kept feeling them at the end."

The Bearcats' speedy guard

play helped force 15 Moeller turnovers and held Crusaders senior guard Bubba Walther to'just six points.

Walther bricked the game-tying 3-pointer off the backboard with less than 20 seconds to play, and the Crusaders didn't recover.

"Our coach told me, if I did anything, don'tlet him touch the ball," Brookhaven guard Jermaine Cox said. "And when he touched the •ball, I just did the best i could to defend him."

Moeller senior Josh Duncan led the Crusaders with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Crusaders fell behind 13-2 early and wentinto halftime down 27-20. But they used an 18-5 third· quarter run, fueled by solid post play from Duncan and senior Andrew Brackman, to pull ahead 3832 by the start of the fourth quaiter.

Brookhaven slowly plugged its way back into the game, and eventually tied it on one of Lyles' 3pojnters with about 1:30 to play.

Crusaders junior Tyler Dierkers missed tWo free throws, Walther missed his 3-pdinter ahd . Lyles came through in the clutch to give th·e Bearcats the win.

"Our shots didn't fall for us, and that's probably a product of a lot of . things, and their defense,'' Kremer said. . 'We just didn't handle it very well ... and probably took some shots I wish we hadn't."

BROOKHAVEN 123·2} Comley 5 111, Denzel lyles 9 3 26, Campbell! 0 2, Wakefield 409, Cox! 0 2, Young! 0 2.

Total• 214 52.

MOELLEfi (22·3) Walthsr 2 2 6, Childreps 5 0 10, DunCan 5 112, Dierkers 1 o_ 2, Trainor 1 0 3, Watt 2 0 4, Brackman 4 3 11. Total: 20 6 48.

Brookhaven

16

·11

5

20

-52

10 -48 3-point goals: M ·Duncan (1), Trainor(!); 8- Denzel Lyles (5), Wakefield (1).

Moeller

6

14

18

The Cincinnati Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Reading's Tony Pike (center) walks off the court with his teammates after a disappointing loss in the regional finals.

Division Ill regional final, Versailles 58, Reading 50

.After hot start, Devils fall. short ·Versailles ousts defending champs . By Alex Blumer

pointers as they surged to a 21-10 lead at 6:17 of the second quarter.

'They came out hot as blazes," Given Reading's recent post- said Versailles head coach Roger. season history, you knew it was McEldowney. 'We were hoping going to take a pretty formidable they couldn't shoot like that the opponenttofirii.shofftheunflappa- ·whole game, otherwise we !mew ble Blue Devils. we were going to lose."

Reading met that team SaturButVersailleswentintothehalf day in the form of undefeated Ver· down just 27-23 thanks to a buzzersallies, which overcame an 11- beating three from Gehle. point deficit to oust the defending The Tigers carried that mostate champs 58-50 in the Division mentum over into the second half. ill regional final at Wright State's Ben Shappie, who had 20 points Nutter Center. for Versailles, nailed a three right "It would've b.een nice to get out of the locker room. back to the final four, and we had "After Ben drained that three, the team to get there," said senior he looked at me and smiled," said Jolmny Gertz, who led Reading McEldowney. "Ilrnewweweregowith 18 points. 'We just ran into a ing to be all right after that." little (trouble)."

Fouls hurt Reading in the secKyle Gehle had 32 points for ond half, as starters jeremy OverVersailles, including 21-for-25 at beck, Nick Berter and Rodney the free throw line.

Stidham fouled out. Berter was .. The Tigers avenged a 52-49 re- held to 8 points, while fellow segional semifinal loss to Reading nior Tony Pike finished with 12 last year. · points and 12 rebounds.

"A lot of us would love to have Versailles (26-0) chipped away at the Blue Devil lead by getting to had careers like that," said· Bensthe foul line a whopping 32 times man of his senior class' run of a · in the second half. The Tigers state title and two.regional final apscored 21 of their last 23 points at . pearances in three years. "I told tl1e free-throw line to overcome a them to keep tl1eir heads up, 37-35 deficit. they've got a lot to be proud of."

"I just thought it was a tale of V£RSAILLES (26.0) - Shapple 6 5 20, Gehle 4 2132, two halves," said Reading head Shardo 1'0 2, Me Neilan 011, P. Borchers 113. Totals: 12 28 58. coach Rich Bensman. "They're Rt'ADING (19-7)- Stidham 2 2 7, Je. Overbeck 10 2, good at getting to tl1e basket, and 8erter2 3 8, Pike 3312, Gertz4618, Wlrtzl 02, M.SmlthO U. Totals: 13 15 50. · tl1ey shot a lot of free throws to- Versailles ................................. 10 13 17. 18-58 . night."

Reading.................................. 14 13 12 11-50 3-paintem: v 6 IShapple 3, Gehle 3); R9 (Gertz 4, Pike 3, Reading was deadly from be- Stidham, Better) yond the ate early, hitting :five 3Enquirer Contributor