Moeller @ Lakota East (Foundation Game) Recap:

Alex Voss

The Crusaders ran away with the game midway through the third when they scored 10 straight, capped by a powerful two hand dunk from senior post Tony Sabato, en route to a 62-43 road win over hosts Lakota East on Friday night in each teams foundation game; a game that is played like a normal high school game but does not count towards either team's record. Event Photos

Moeller went deep into their bench early and often and got consistent play from their whole team all night. Holding down the point duties while junior Keith Watkins makes the transition from football was senior SG Ben Galemmo. While he led Moeller with 16 points, including 4 three pointers, it was his improved feel for running the offense that impressed CPHR. Once they entered the ball to start the play Galemmo became more of a SG as junior wing Josh Davenport became the guy counted on to attack and create. 

Perhaps the most impressive player tonight for the Crusaders, Alex Voss, scored 11 points and showed some real aggressiveness that should lead to a big senior season for the forward. Voss has good height for a forward at 6'5 but can play like a guard and really passes the ball well. Moe's other top contributors were Tony Sabato with 8 points, junior post Pat Wrencher with 6, and Davenport with 4.

The three sophomores playing up with the varsity did impress as SG Grant Benzinger played the most minutes and scored 5 points while PG Trey Hawkins and post Blake Simpson did see some minutes sparingly.

Stedman Lowry

A Lakota East team devastated by the loss of senior wing Mark Minch, who is out until at least mid-January with a foot injury, has turned to junior SG's Stedman Lowry and Robbie Harpring for scoring. They led the way against the Crusaders as Lowry scored 12 and Harpring added 11, the only two Thunderhawks in double figures. Both are very good shooters and Lowry showed CPHR an increased ability to create his own shot off the dribble, and the confidence to attack, both things that East will need early and often from him. Junior post Zach Panzeca played tough down low against the army of Moeller big men and sophomore PG Ryan Leppert showed why East coaches think he is the point man of the future as his vision is excellent and will get better with some refinement. 

The main bright spot for Lakota East was the play of their two freshman on the varsity level. Wing/forward Myo Baxter, a big bodied scorer with athleticism, and small but skilled combo guard Dylan Lowry each provided quality sparks off the bench and should be major contributors all season long.