Martin outduels his former teammates
Withrow transfer leads way for Crusaders
BY TOM GROESCHEN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Moeller senior Terry Martin took it to his former Withrow teammates Saturday night, as the Crusaders opened the season with a 66-53 basketball victory.
Moeller is ranked No. 1 and Withrow is No. 4 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, and the early-season showdown drew a sellout crowd of about 1,500 at Moeller.
Martin, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior forward, led Moeller with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Martin transferred from Withrow following his freshman season.
"I went from one good team to another, and this is where I wound up," Martin said. "I know their whole starting five and see them all the time. It's special to beat them, but the best part is that it's a great morale booster for our team."
Martin got the better of Withrow junior star Yancy Gates, who was held to seven points and five rebounds on 3-for-7 shooting. The 6-9, 240-pound Gates is rated by Scout.com as the No. 12 player nationally in his class and No. 16 by Rivals.com.
Gates' many suitors include Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Florida and Michigan, and XU coach Sean Miller attended Saturday night's game.
Most spectators did not realize Gates broke the pinky finger on his right (shooting) hand in the second quarter. Gates had the pinky and ring fingers taped together, and he continued to play.
Withrow coach Walt McBride said Gates was unable to shoot the ball properly, but McBride said the bigger factor was Moeller's outstanding defense. Moeller stationed Martin in front of Gates, and the Crusaders also cut off Gates' back side with weakside help.
"They killed us on the boards, too," McBride said, noting the Crusaders' 43-21 rebounding margin.
Gates had two dunks and also blocked four shots.
Withrow built two, early nine-point leads (14-5 and 20-11). The Tigers' halfcourt traps prevented Moeller from establishing much offensive rhythm in the first half.
In the second half, Moeller senior guard Troy Tabler (Wright State recruit) scored 10 of his 13 points and the Crusaders' motion offense began to knife through Withrow's defense for several easy lay-ins.
"I thought we were a little rusty at first," Moeller coach Carl Kremer said. "We wanted to front Yancy and get some backside help, and we did that. Then, our offense got going in the second half. It's a great win, because Withrow is obviously very good."
Junior forward Daniel Wulker matched Tabler with 13 points for Moeller, and junior guard Tony Rack had six assists.
Forward Greg Howard scored 21 points to lead the Tigers.
Gates, who transferred from Hughes following the 2005-06 season, scored 26 points Friday night as Withrow beat Dayton Colonel White 99-49 in a season opener. Withrow got back from Dayton around midnight, and McBride acknowledged his team may have tired in the second half Saturday.
"We won't see many better teams than Moeller," McBride said. "They're so disciplined, and we have to learn to be more patient and not get out of position on defense."
McBride said he doesn't expect Gates to miss any games.
Withrow (1-1) - McBride 2 2 7, Gates 3 0 7, Frazier 4 0 9, Hisle 2 0 4, Howard 7 4 21, Bracey 1 1 3, Saalam 1 0 2. Totals: 20 7 53.
Moeller (1-0) - Rack 1 0 3, McDowell 4 1 9, Grycko 3 0 6, Tabler 4 2 13, Martin 7 2 16, Wulker 6 0 13, Roberts 0 2 2, Davenport 2 0 4. Totals: 27 7 66.
Withrow14141213-53Moeller9152418-66
3-pointers: W 6 (Howard 3, McBride, Gates, Frazier); M 5 (Tabler 3, Rack, Wulker).
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