Tuesday, February 22, 2000
Script ready for sectional
Moeller's success in '99 is example for all hopefuls
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Who's hot? Who's not? That will be determined beginning tonight in the boys sectional basketball tournament, which begins today at seven Cincinnati-area sites.
Regular season records mean little. Teams peaking now are the ones to watch in tournament play.
Last year is a prime example of what can happen in postseason play.
Moeller, 14-6 and coming off a 25-point loss to St. Xavier in the season finale, went on to win the 1999 Division I state title.
“The kids saw what a tournament run can be last year,” said Moeller coach Carl Kremer, whose team is 10-10 this year. “This is the time to play basketball. Everyone starts fresh. I can see excitement in the kids eyes.”
If Moeller hopes to repeat, the Crusaders must defeat No.3 seeded Western Hills (17-3) in a first-round game Saturday at Mason High School.
St. Xavier (18-2) was voted the No.1 seed when brackets were set two weeks ago, but the Bombers weren't sharp down the stretch. St. X lost to McNicholas Feb. 8 and Elder last Friday.
Still, St. Xavier should have a relatively easy path to the sectional title with Milford (12-8) the only team in the Cincinnati upper bracket with a winning record.
“It's a new season. That's how the kids are looking at it,” St. X coach Scott Martin said. “You use the first season to get ready for the second. The loss to Elder gives us somethings to work on.”
The hottest Division I teams in the Oxford sectional are Winton Woods (20-0), The Enquirer poll champion, and Princeton (16-4), which has major-college prospect Erik Daniels and nine wins in its last 10 games. “We're taking momentum into the tournament,” Princeton coach Paul Andrews said. “Erik has scored more than 20 points in seven straight games.”
Tough isn't a strong enough word to describe the lower bracket of the Division I Cincinnati sectional, which includes Elder (16-4), Western Hills (17-3), Walnut Hills (13-7), Amelia (12-8), Northwest (10-10) and Moeller.
Purcell Marian (18-2) should emerge from the Division II upper bracket. Loveland (18-2), McNicholas (12-8), Roger Bacon (8-12) and Woodward (9-11) could come out of the lower bracket.
Indian Hill (11-8) is on a roll, winning six consecutive games. The unseeded Braves could pose a serious problem for teams entered in the Division III lower bracket.
“We're playing as well as we have all season,” Indian Hill coach Dale Haarman said. “We've come together defensively and are executing much better offensively.”
The Braves have a tough first-round game against No.3 seed Wyoming (13-7). The Cincinnati Hills League rivals split during the regular season.
Senior point guard Grayson Sugarman's return to the Seven Hills lineup following knee surgery has been important during the Stingers' drive to the Miami Valley Conference title.
No.1 seed Seven Hills (18-2) should win a fifth consecutive Division IV sectional championship.
“Grayson makes us a much better defensive team because of his quickness,” coach Jeff Stowers said. “The press has been so much more effective with Grayson in there.”
Cincinnati Country Day (16-4), the No.2 seed, faces a tough first round game against Summit Country Day (9-11). The teams split during the regular season.
Sports Stories
Nervous Griffey ready to play
Griffey's 1st day lasts for 3 hours
He'll help pitchers, hitters and accountants
Larkin: Junior will fit in
Good news, Jr.: earrings allowed
REDS NOTEBOOK
UC still No. 1 where it counts - RPI
Xavier needs more home magic
Prosser won't talk about job openings
Dillon: Let me out of here
