4GX
Well-known member
I don't like to admit that I've not seen them play (I'm not even sure how many spectators are allowed into the gym for games-- I think it may only be immediate family), but this year's St. X basketball squad deserves to be talked about-- A LOT!--they finally appear to have turned the corner, after a long dreary spell in the basketball wilderness (basically ever since Scott Martin was pushed out as coach). This year's team is 15-2 for the season, including a stunning win AT Moeller to end the regular season, giving X a share of the GCL league title (with Elder and Moeller); X was voted the #2 seed in the Southwest Ohio tournament brackets (behind Moeller)-- I don't think anyone (maybe even the team) saw THAT coming. Moeller is currently ranked #1 in the state, Ed is #2, X is currently #3, and Elder is ranked #4; with X's two losses to Moeller and Elder, it's possible that X may move up to #2 in Ohio (behind Ed), for the last regular season poll this week.
In my opinion, this win against Moeller in basketball is as momentous as that first win (in many years) against Moeller in football (back in 1992, when Scott Sollman went nuts) or the wins against Moeller in baseball in 2011, or the win against Moeller in lacrosse in 2000-- those each came after YEARS of Moeller dominance (both over X AND at the state level) in the respective sport. X had not beaten Moeller in basketball in 15 years(!) and 30 games-- that's similar to Moeller's streak over X in football from 1969 to 1992-- and most of the recent games had not even been competitive. Moeller had won the last 4 GCL championships undisputed (as well as two straight state titles, and was heavily favored to win a third straight last year, until the tournament was cancelled by the viral epidemic).
This year's win is attributable (in large measure) to the play of St. X senior guard Kobe Rogers, who has been excellent all year-- but has been outstanding in recent weeks, as X beat highly ranked teams in both Ohio (Elder #4, Huber Heights Wayne #9, Moeller #1) and Kentucky (Covington Catholic #4) consecutively. Although Rogers will graduate this year (and will play at Nova Southeastern next year), there is hope for the future for X, as the Bombers' second-year coach Mike Noszka appears to have quickly transformed the program, after probably the worst period in St. X basketball history; X went 14-7 in Noszka's first year (but only 1-5 in the GCL South). This is X's first GCL title in basketball since 2005 (when X was in the middle of its best run in basketball ever, from 1999-2010).
As a huge basketball fan, I am thrilled to see the Bombers back to playing competitively with the best teams; I'm even more pleased for the players and coaches on this team-- who had to have great faith that they could turn around a dismal situation-- and have done it with tremendous effort. Next up: Goshen in the first round of the Ohio state tournament-- Go Bombers!
In my opinion, this win against Moeller in basketball is as momentous as that first win (in many years) against Moeller in football (back in 1992, when Scott Sollman went nuts) or the wins against Moeller in baseball in 2011, or the win against Moeller in lacrosse in 2000-- those each came after YEARS of Moeller dominance (both over X AND at the state level) in the respective sport. X had not beaten Moeller in basketball in 15 years(!) and 30 games-- that's similar to Moeller's streak over X in football from 1969 to 1992-- and most of the recent games had not even been competitive. Moeller had won the last 4 GCL championships undisputed (as well as two straight state titles, and was heavily favored to win a third straight last year, until the tournament was cancelled by the viral epidemic).
This year's win is attributable (in large measure) to the play of St. X senior guard Kobe Rogers, who has been excellent all year-- but has been outstanding in recent weeks, as X beat highly ranked teams in both Ohio (Elder #4, Huber Heights Wayne #9, Moeller #1) and Kentucky (Covington Catholic #4) consecutively. Although Rogers will graduate this year (and will play at Nova Southeastern next year), there is hope for the future for X, as the Bombers' second-year coach Mike Noszka appears to have quickly transformed the program, after probably the worst period in St. X basketball history; X went 14-7 in Noszka's first year (but only 1-5 in the GCL South). This is X's first GCL title in basketball since 2005 (when X was in the middle of its best run in basketball ever, from 1999-2010).
As a huge basketball fan, I am thrilled to see the Bombers back to playing competitively with the best teams; I'm even more pleased for the players and coaches on this team-- who had to have great faith that they could turn around a dismal situation-- and have done it with tremendous effort. Next up: Goshen in the first round of the Ohio state tournament-- Go Bombers!
Great interview of Liam Clifford at halftime. GBM