Conference Preview: Greater Catholic League

Brandon Neel (#2 in our '11 rankings) is the pre-season
player of the year choice for the GCL

Always a tough league, the GCL is know for a deliberate style of play, a detail oriented approach, and the most stifling defense in the state of Ohio. But don't let the style of play fool you, there is some major talent in this league. Year in year out the GCL south is the most competitive division and that is still the case this year. Expect LaSalle and Moeller to be at the top all year, who the champion will be is a close call but give LaSalle the slight advantage. The central division title will go through vine street just like last year as Roger Bacon brings back a lot of talent. Up north look for Bishop Fenwick and Chaminade Julianne of Dayton to battle for the north division title. Here is a profile of who The CPHR thinks are the top teams this year in the GCL:

1. 

   Speedy Josh Lemmons returns
   at the point for the Lancers

   LaSalle: LaSalle returns their five best players from last year in point guard Josh Lemmons as well as senior wings Brandon Neel (the likely player of the year), Ryan Fleming (another all league choice), Trey Casey, and Matt Woeste. Expect big things from this undersized but tenacious lineup. There is a lot of firepower here with Lemmons and Fleming knocking in open threes while Neel can score in bunches from anywhere on the floor. Trey Casey is an underrated player in the GCL as he brings scoring and a mistake free style to the Lancer offense. As always expect LaSalle to bring the heat on defense with full court pressure after every made basket or whistle.

• 

  Ryan Fleming- Great shooter

  Key Players:
  • Brandon Neel- Senior SG
  • Ryan Fleming- Senior SF
  • Josh Lemmons- Junior PG
  • Trey Casey- Senior SG
  • Matt Woeste- Senior SF
• Bottom Line: Expect LaSalle to finally break through and make the final four this year. With a relative lack of size in the GCL this year LaSalle has a huge advantage because they have the unquestioned best guard play. Coach Fleming and his boys still have a bad taste in their mouths from last year's regional final loss to Moeller and are out for revenge.

2. Moeller: Big man Griffin McKenzie might have moved down Montgomery Rd. to XU but that doesn't mean Moeller isn't ready for another run to the final four this year. Moeller returns seniors Charlie Byers, Alex Barlow, Hayden Frey, and Shaquille Jinks; all of whom were major contributors last year. Byers (another player of the year candidate) is the man this year for The Crusaders and will handle the ball for them as well as score and guard the top perimeter player. Barlow is another underrated player who really does it all for Moe from the small forward spot. Frey and Jinks are two power forward role players who can score and rebound. Junior Ben Galemmo returns from a promising sophomore season in which he made a name for himself as the premiere marksman in the league. Ben really has unlimited range and opponents must know where he is at all times. The Crusaders also have two talented sophomores in small forward Joshua Davenport (ranked #1 in our 2013 rankings) as well as combo guard Keith Watkins. Expect to see more and more of those two as the season goes on; especially Davenport as he is an elite talent that could really help carry the scoring load. Finally, don't sleep on junior center Tony Sabato or junior small forward Alex Voss; both could have a breakout year.

• 

  Chuck Byers is the leader this year at Moe

  Key Players:
  • Charlie Byers- Senior PG
  • Shaquille Jinks- Senior SF
  • Alex Barlow- Senior SG
  • Joshua Davenport- Sophomore SF
• Bottom Line: Moeller's advantage over LaSalle is their depth; something that The Crusaders have plenty of. Expect Coach Kramer to have the guys as prepared as ever and for him to experiment with different lineups early in the season. Moeller has the potential to be just as good as last year.

Jared Bryant- A force on the low block

3. Roger Bacon: The Spartans play with the same defensive mindset as their neighbors in the south division and have the advantage of playing in a weaker division. This team has enough talent to cruise through the division and make a run in the D2 playoffs. Bacon is led by the senior trio of Paul Byrd, Jabriel Coaston, and Jared Bryant. All three played prominent roles last year and don't expect anything different. Byrd is changing positions this year as we will see him play a lot more at the point then in years past. At the point he brings nice size and a craftiness to his game; as well as shooting touch and the capability to set up the offense. Expect Coaston to be the high point man all year; he has a nice ability to take the ball to the basket and finish as well as get points from the line, transition, rebounding, and even hit the outside shot. Bryant a 6'9 skilled and strong big is a tough match-up for anyone in the conference and should have his way inside this year for Bacon.

• Key Players: Bacon will rely on their big three this year with role players to compliment their senior trio.
  • Jared Bryant- Senior C

  • 

    Jabriel Coaston has a lot of talent on
    the wing for Roger Bacon

    Jabriel Coaston- Senior SF
  • Paul Byrd- Senior SG
• Bottom Line: Although they might not have the talent of a Moeller or LaSalle, Roger Bacon is good enough to win their division and challenge for one of the top seeds in the tournament at the D2 level.