Moeller Basketball Seeks to Make Another Playoff Run
Senior Connor Marklay and Author Jake Hainrihar
Picture taken by Joshua Kattus
It is no secret that Moeller basketball is one of the greatest high school basketball programs in the state. The rich history of Moeller basketball provides the school a great reputation. Over the past 10 years, Moeller has won 8 GCL titles, and back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019.
Moeller has produced multiple D1 collegiate athletes and even produced a few NBA superstars including, Jaxson Hayes and Miles McBride. The basketball program prides itself on making athletes that will go on to play at higher levels.
The Moeller coaching staff is highly experienced. The team is led by head coach Carl Kremer. Coach Kremer has been coaching Moeller basketball 36 years and has been the head coach for 30 of those glorious 36 years. Coach Kremer has achieved multiple championships and produced first class athletes.
Freshman head coach Brian Laake had these words to say about coach Kremer, “Coach Kremer is an exceptional coach. He has faith in his coaches to execute the tasks at hand.” Coach Laake also talked about the successful culture of the Crusaders. Laake stated, “We have a winning culture. Our culture sets expectations, that the players and coaches make together.”
The varsity basketball team has a sign in their locker room that reads, “Drink the water, but remember who dug the well.” The successful culture has been created by past players and coaches. The winning cultures is to be enjoyed and strengthened by those active on the team. It is no surprise that the success of the team comes from the deep roots that have been instilled by coach Kremer and other coaches such as coach Laake.
This year has been a bit different from the rest. Unfortunately, the Crusaders placed second in the GCL this year, with two losses to Elder. However, the Crusaders swept St. Xavier and the LaSalle Lancers by a comfortable margin to finish 4-2 in the GCL. The team still finished with an impressive 16-5 record in the regular season, with 4 of their 5 losses coming to Elder, a regional semifinalist last year, St. Vincent St. Mary who won the Division II state title, and Centerville, last year’s Division I state champs.
Despite losing a load of seniors from last 2021 season, the Crusaders are up to the challenge of proving the doubters wrong. Senior forward Connor Marklay stated, "A lot of people are doubting us; however, we are exceeding expectations because we lost a lot of players last year and the young guys are stepping up." The Crusaders are looking to impress the state with a very young team with a bright future.
However, Moeller basketball still has some very talented athletes. Senior guard and Penn State commit, Evan Mahaffey, leads the GCL in points per game (16.0) and blocks (1.7), and is the second leading rebounder behind St. Xavier’s Louie Semona. Mahaffey is a big part to the Crusaders success.
Marklay is also a huge part to the Crusader’s wins; he recently hit a game winning 3-pointer in double overtime to sweep St. Xavier in the GCL.
The team has many successful individuals, but when you look at the team, they all make each other better players and teammates.
Senior forward and Dayton Flyers commit, Rayn Hassane, had this to say about practice: “I love being able to practice with my teammates, we help each other get better, and at the same time we are having fun.” The ultimate key to success for this team is by far the teamwork and culture created by the players and coaches.
The Crusaders will begin the playoffs as the 5th seed in the region. They will face the 31st seeded Colerain Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs on February 19th. If the Crusaders win, they’ll go on to play the winner of Goshen and Hamilton on February 23.