Folks,

In all my years in the game (20+ but who's counting), this is my first McDonald's Game.  I've always promised to not attend unless I had a player in the game.  But tonight, I am borrowing privilege from Jerry Watson as Jared Sullinger is Ohio's guy.  Sullinger, the 6'9 big man that I started calling "McDonalds" one night in Orlando two summers ago.  We had lost, I had to cheer for All-Ohio, and they were working Albany City Rocks and Jared was dominating as only Jared can. 

See he's a working mans pretty boy.  He's like Monique in a sense.  A big guy, but real cagey, super smooth, athletic when necessary, silky smooth touch, extraordinary foot coordination, and always dominant! Jared Sullinger is the reason I’m here. 

 Well, maybe not alone.  I was quite happy when Carl Kremer got the call to Coach in this game.  It kind of marks a passing of the guard from my perspective.  For so long I considered Mike Price was considered Cincinnati's best, but now, especially with Saturdays appearance in the State Finals and tonight’s honor- Carl Kremer is the City's best high school coach and I wanted to be here to witness that historic moment as a tribute to Carl.  See, I respect Coaching, have a minor in it from Miami of Ohio, the Cradle on Coaches.  Often underestimated, my acade... [Read More]

Alright folks, we're in the house!  In the seat, got the code to get on the internet.  The athem is sung, all the cheerleaders are introduced and the game is ON!  The Moeller Crusaders versus the Jackson Massilon Polar Bears and CincySportsZone is here to blog your history!!!

After an early 4-0 run by the Polar Bears Mark Henniger, Mr. Big Shot and Mr. Morelock hit big threes to put the Crusaders out front, with 3:51 left in the first the Crusaders lead 6-4

Jackson leads 9-8 at end of First

Really boring first period as both teams sought to feel each other out.  Porous shooting, most likely attributed to those big butterflies in everyones tummy, and decent defense has this a very low scoring and low scoring opportunity contest.

Some basketball purist might argue that this is a highly contested defensive battle, but my side of the argument would be so far, this has been quite a bore with neither team being able to find their effectiveness.  Both teams have made bunnies on defensive errors or offensive rebounds.  The Polar Bears, at the moment, might claim the most effectiveness in terms of execution, but I can’t tell as this is the first time I’ve seen them.  I can tell you that Moeller is not playin... [Read More]

  OT

Moeller wins the tip, possession LaSalle.  Barlow on a big tip with 3:14 remaining.  41-39 Mo 2:56 B Neel misses a 3, Moeller loses ball out of bounds, LaSalle ball 2:44 remaining.  At 2:11 Brandon Neel would not be denied- got a rebound, missed a bunny, stole the ball scored the bucket.  41-41. Fleming calls a timeout 2:10 remaining in the 5^th period. Moeller moves the ball and shows that incredible patience for over a minute.  LaSalle continues to guard.  Both fan base stands in appreciation and support.  LaSalle’s Matt Woeste fouls out with 35.7 seconds remaining sending Alex Barlow to the line to shoot the double bonus.  Barlow hits both and Moeller leads 43-41.  With :25 remaining Alex Barlow steals a Trey Casey pass and takes it to the hoop for a 45-41 Moeller lead.  Barlow further cements his player of the game status by getting a big rebound with 12.7 seconds and sinking the two free throws to send Moeller to Columbus.  Folks, I picked Moeller at the beginning of the season, but I have to tell you, I thought LaSalle would win this game by five points.  And just as I type those words Alex Barlow takes the ball from Josh Lemons gets fouled and misses the first (just to show ... [Read More]

My cell phone has been blowing up as I missed the Princeton vs Moeller Regional opener in Cincinnati, while watching the Dayton Flyers against Illinois State in NIT action. It's a shame that the powers that be can't get these things scheduled better.  Even without the NIT, I think I would have missed that game as Taft vs Middletown Madison was calling my name.  I haven't gotten a report from that game, but everything I hear about the Moeller/Princeton game is that Princeton completely destructed and the lack of free throw shooting down the stretch cost them the opportunity to challenge for the Regional Championship- that and Ben Gallemo. 
I hear Ben had 12 in the quarter and a big three to put the Crusaders up two in the waning moments.  Some say the loss falls squarely in the lap of Princeton Coach Josh Andrews, but coaches always get too much credit and far too much blame. 
Hey- lets look at it like this- Moeller won the game!  The sideline critics will always be there- good job Moeller and trust folk, Princeton will be loaded again next year, so that show will still roll!

Dayton wins 63-42.  Chris Johnson led all scorers with 13 points on a balance scoring night for the Flyers.  Chris Wright led the Flyers  with 11 rebounds.  In the end, the Flyers wore Illinois State down and outclassed the Missouri Valley Conference foe.  

Next for the Flyers is a Friday night contest with the Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati.  The UC-UD game will be a doosy and would bring an early reunion to the rivalry already signed to be played next year after a two year hiatus.  Look for the Land of Oz to be in the Shoe Friday night!!!

With 3:40 remaining the Flyers have pulled away and put this one about out of reach.  They lead 59-38.  The Bearcats lead Weber state 61-51 to maintain a ten point lead with 6:30 left to play.  Here, it has been the ferocious defense of London Warren and the hot shooting of reserve Luke Frabizius to catapult the Flyers to comfort! 

Only 5,127 fans showed up tonight.  The last time Dayton hosted an NIT game about 2,500 hundred more fans showed up.  At the 6:51 mark Dayton leads 49-37.  The Bearcats are leading Weber State 56-46 with 9:57 remaining

At the Under 12 (11:48) TV timeout the Flyers lead by nine 42-33.  Im now watching UC on ESPN 360 as they extend their lead in the second half 54-34 with 13 minutes left in the game.

Flyers lead 30-19 at Halftime

Interestingly enough the Arena is not packed.  Maybe this is testament to the much higher expectations of Flyer fans.  Well, it is what it is and the Flyers are trying to make the best of the NIT.  They are doing just that over a very competitive Illinois State (22-10) team from the Missouri Valley Conference. 

Chris Wright leads Dayton in scoring with seven points and rebounding with nine.  Five Flyers have scored at least five and K... [Read More]

 

Colerain Wins 69-63

Colerain’s senior leadership won this game- Quigley, Kunkel, Vondarhaar, and Harrison put the weight of their first-ever District Championship on their shoulders and carried Colerain through the games final eight minutes.  Higgins has a lot to be proud of as these kids all bought into his system and have the nets as a reward.  Northmont continued to vault a comeback effort in a pesky zone that Colerain chose to continue playing into.  Colerain continued to stretch the lead. 

With 4:22 remaining, Colerain was ahead 60-47.  That depth began to play a visible role in the fourth quarter.  Northmont was still not finished trying to win this game.  They close the gap as Colerain kept shooting the ball.  Colerain missed the front end of a one and one and Colerain put Northmont on the line.  Steve Newell missed the first and hit the second.  With 1:24 remaining Colerain led 60-53.  JoVonta Harrison hit the double bonus and extended the lead back to nine with 1:20 remaining.  Colerain played solid defense for sixteen seconds before sending Northmont back to the line to shoot the double bonus.  Northmont hit the first and with 1:04 remaining Colerain led 62-54.  Colerain made their free throws down the stretch but continued to foul Northmont.  The Cardinals didn’t play their smartest game down the stretch but Northmont was so worn out, it didn’t matter.<... [Read More]

X wins 46-40

Luke Massa and Alex Longi continue to power the Bomber machine.  Wayne got it as close as two points, then Massa hits a BIG three pointer and takes the Bomber lead back to five.    

The Bombers' David Neihaus has been an invaluable component to the teams success in this quarter. X began be very patient with the ball at about 3:00 and it would take everything Wayne has to get win this game, down seven with 2:34 left. X goes to a triangle and two with just over two minutes remaining. While it confused Wayne, X fouls and Keith Clements hits two free throws.  At 1:38, Scott Martin calls for open- meaning they will shoot nothing but bunnies and free throws and finally Wayne fouls. 

X misses the front end and Wayne gets the rebound.  At 1:29, X is up 43-38. An ill advised three point attempt from the Warriors leads to them fouling Longi with 1:12 left on the clock.  Longi hits the first and misses the second and the Bombers lead 44-38. Wayne mi... [Read More]

 

Moeller wins 51-47

Mr. Big Shot starts the fourth quarter with a nasty scoop to hoop with an and one to put the Crusaders up by three.  The game continues physical, hard nose defense on both ends.  With two minutes remaining and a four-point lead, Moeller goes Zone (for the first time in the game) and gets a turnover- this would loom LARGE as Mr. Big Shot got fouled and hit the first of the bonus to give Moeller a five-point lead with 1:37 remaining. 

Dawaun Thomas hits a beautiful floater to take it to three then, Trotwood gets a turnover and shoots an ill advised three. Moe gets the ball back and Mr. Big Shot hits both of the bonus with 1:17 left.  46-41 Moe. Dewaun Thomas hits a huge three with :55 seconds left as the Rams won't die. 

Moeller gets in trouble and calls a timeout with 46.7 left in the game.  Trotwood fouls Josh Morelock (42.2) and he hits both of the bonus 48-44 Moe.  Thomas takes a tough three with 31 seconds and Moe gets the rebound.  Mr Big shot misses the front end of the double bonus, but sinks the second and puts Moeller up by 5 with 29.2 seconds.  Dewaun Thomas hits ANOTHER big three with 17.2 remaining the Rams are still breathing. 
... [Read More]