A Recap of the Regular Season: Moeller Basketball
As the 2019-2020 has now ended, the Moeller Crusader Basketball Team once again sits atop the GCL South, finishing with a record of 22-1(6-0). There are familiar faces that have returned to this year’s squad, but the loss of seniors Alec Pfriem, Miles McBride and Michael Shipp has led to new roles for most players. As they enter the postseason tournament, it is time to look back on what this team has accomplished, while also looking forward to what remains ahead.
Michael Currin celebrates after making a jump shot
Photo by: Matt Barnes
With a combined record of 104-5 dating back to the 2016-2017 season, Moeller has been one of the premier teams in the entire state of Ohio. They are 76-0 against teams from Southwest Ohio since 2016 and have added two state championships to go along with that. The Crusaders have remained a top tier team every year, despite losing key players year in and year out due to graduation.
It has been no different with this year’s team as they replaced three starters along with the majority of the offensive production. Head Coach Carl Kremer said, “It is certainly an adjustment and a realization on our part that we are different than we were. We got guys in totally different spots and roles.” Senior guard Michael Currin added, “It’s definitely a lot different. Last year I was looking up to the seniors. This year it’s different in the fact that I’m taking up that role, as well as the other seniors in bringing that energy and helping to lead the other guys.”
Despite this turnaround, the Crusaders were able to start the season with a 79-56 win against Lutheran East High School in the Ohio Valley Hoops Classic. They then traveled up to Akron to play St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in a rematch of last year’s state championship game (one which Moeller won 52-44). However, the Fighting Irish were able to get their revenge and defeated the Crusaders 64-59, handing Moeller their first loss since in almost two seasons.
Moeller then strung off a series of impressive wins against Flagler Palm Coast (FL), Chillicothe, Chaminade, and Medina with an average margin of victory of 36.5 points before heading off to Rock Hill, South Carolina for the Blue Star Invitational. There, they went 3-0 and won the tournament with a victory in the championship game over St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (MD). When asked about the importance of playing teams outside of Cincinnati, Kremer said “We think it’s critically important. It allows us to get a competitive schedule. It provides a variety of styles. More important, I think it provides our program an opportunity to bond.”
After returning from South Carolina and an away game against Centerville, which the Crusaders won 57-46, it became time to start league play in the GCL South with an away game against the La Salle Lancers. It was a classic hardnosed GCL South game in front of a fired up Lancer crowd. The Crusaders were able to grind out a 45-43 victory to open league play. They were led by Max Land who had 14 points and added on 4 rebounds in the win. A weeknight game against Wayne High School resulted in an 80-38 victory to set up the GCL home opener against the Elder Panthers. The game was a close one throughout, the Panthers hung around and did not allow Moeller to pull away till the very end. The Crusaders came out on top 49-36. Junior Alex Williams carried most of the offensive load as he poured in 20 points on 50% shooting.
The Crusaders then participated in the MLK Classic in which they played Hughes High School, who they beat 57-37 with solid performances coming from Juniors Will McCracken and Logan Duncomb and Senior Michael Currin.
The next GCL opponent for Moeller was the St. Xavier Bombers at home. The 125th meeting between the two rivals was an intense matchup in front of a sold out crowd. Midway through the first quarter Moeller was able to take their first lead and never trailed the rest of the night, fighting off multiple St. X runs with the Bombers getting within 2 points. The Crusaders came out on top 59-43, extending their win streak over St. Xavier to 28 games with their last loss coming almost 14 years ago. It was a balanced scoring night for Moeller as four players finished in double figures and two players (Land and Currin) did not miss a shot. When asked about playing in big games like St. X, Currin said, “Those games are some of my greatest memories I will take with me. It’s something very unique that I will always have with me.” The team did not seem fazed by the big moment or the pressure of the crowd during the game. Senior Nolan Lyon said, “There’s a different sense of adrenaline when you are playing in front of a crowd like that, but I wouldn’t say there is much pressure, you are just having fun.”
After the victory against St. Xavier, Moeller moved on to play Colerain and Winton Woods, defeating both. They then moved on to play La Salle at home in a fight to secure a share of the GCL title. The Lancers jumped out to an early lead, but Moeller was able to fight back and control the rest of the game. The Crusaders were led by Max Land who finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds. McCracken contributed a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The victory ensured that Moeller secured at least a share of the GCL South title. The next day they traveled to Springfield and won easily 76-52 backed by 17 points by Duncomb.
The Crusaders then traveled to The Pit at Elder for the chance to clinch the GCL South Title outright. Elder came out firing and took a lead into the second quarter. Moeller took a 31-27 lead into halftime and never gave the lead up after that. The Crusaders won 63-48 and won their 8th consecutive GCL South title. McCracken had a spectacular game, registering 20 points on 8-9 shooting. They then moved on to play Turpin on Senior Night. Senior players Michael Currin, Max Land, Nolan Lyon, and Ryan Stacey along with managers Ben Meyer and Joe Meehan were honored. The game was a chippy one, but Moeller was able to come out on top 62-41. Every senior was able to record points on the night.
Moeller then traveled to North Bend Road to face St. Xavier in the final game of the regular season. It was a tough game in front of a hostile Bomber crowd. Moeller was down one point at halftime, but used a strong second half to grind out a 57-51 victory. Four starters scored in double figures for the Crusaders who were led by Duncomb who recorded 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Logan Duncomb dunks against St. Xavier
Photo by: Cincinnati.com
Moeller managed to finish the regular season with a record of 22-1 and swept a very tough GCL. The GCL South has been a more competitive division this year than other years in recent memory. La Salle and St. X both eclipsed their win totals from the previous season and Elder remained a tough team. This has been the closest any of the teams have been to reclaiming at least part of the GCL South title from Moeller in recent years. Kremer said, “We certainly think competition in the league is way up. St. X has made an incredible improvement. We kinda knew La Salle was going to be good and they brought a lot of guys back. Same with Elder.”
Of the season, Kremer said, “I’m really proud of our guys… This team coming off back to back state championships has played with a definite target on their back and the burden of a lot of expectation.” Moeller will undoubtedly have a target on their back as they enter the tournament.
Many fans may be expecting another state championship, but Kremer emphasized that a ring does not impact how he feels about the season. He said, “I think unfortunately, this team is going to be viewed by people outside of the community as state or bust. For us it cannot be that. Our goal is that we are true and consistent to our core values every day.”
Senior Ryan Stacey echoed these thoughts by saying, “Living out the four core values, obviously winning state would be a great cap to the season but becoming closer to the guys is what I wanna take from it.”
The Crusaders will open up their tournament play February 22nd against Little Miami in hopes of a third straight state title.