Clash of the Titans

Friday night's game between 16-0 Moeller and 14-1 Elder should be another classic battle between these two GCL heavyweights.

Moeller handed Elder their only loss this season in a thrilling 79-77 overtime victory at Moeller.

Elder looks to return the favor and claim a tie for first place in the GCL South.

Should be another great game.

GCL Teams in the Tournament

The regular season in high school basketball is winding down and the state tournament will be just around the corner.

In the state of Ohio, one thing that seems to be a constant year in and year out is that teams from the GCL are disciplined when it comes to playing within their system.

Less talented Moeller, Elder, St. X..... teams have beaten teams that appeared more dominant during the regular season but when the real pressure was on (you lose, you go home), more often than not the GCL teams are the ones still standing.

As a fan, it is enjoyable to see five guys actually playing like a team until the final horn blows. Too often when a team is struggling they go away from what got them their and start playing "me" basketball.

Looking forward to another great year of high school tournament play.

Poll Comparison

Polls are fun to keep and are popular with fans although at the end of the day they really don't matter. As the regular season winds down, here's how the Hacks Fab 5 poll currently compares with the area coaches' poll. Hacks' teams are listed first followed by the coaches' (top five teams)...

Cincinnati Big-School Division - Boys
1. Moeller - Moeller
2. Elder - Elder
3. St. Xavier - St. Xavier
4. Mason - Princeton
5. La Salle - Hamilton
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Cincinnati Small-School Division - Boys
1. Wyoming - Wyoming
2. Taft - Woodward
3. Woodward - Taft
4. Purcell-Marian - Purcell-Marian
5. Georgetown - Turpin
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Cincinnati Big-School Division - Girls
1. Lakota West - Oak Hills
2. Mount Notre Dame - Lakota West
3. Winton Woods - Mount Notre Dame
4. Oak Hills - Winton Woods
5. Princeton - Princeton
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Cincinnati Small-School Division - Girls
1. Badin - Badin
2. Little Miami - Little Miami
3. CHCA - CHCA
4. McNicholas - McNicholas
5. Reading - Reading
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Northern Kentucky - Boys
1. Covington Catholic - Covington Catholic
2. Bishop Brossart - Bishop Brossart
3. Simon Kenton - Simon Kenton
4. Boone County - Scott
5. Newport Central Catholic - Holmes
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Northern Kentucky - Girls
1. Notre Dame - Notre Dame
2. Simon Kenton - Simon Kenton
3. Boone County - Boone County
4. Newport Central Catholic - Newport Central Catholic
5. Bishop Brossart - Conner

Let's hear your thoughts on what poll is more accurate...

Thoughts On Area Hoops

Is there any question that the GCL South division is the best in Cincinnati? Maybe the state? They easily have four of the top 5 teams in town in Moeller, Elder, St. X & La Salle.

Speaking of the GCL, does anyone know the last time Moeller started a season 14-0? Can they run the table? Hmmm...

After watching Notre Dame and Boone County play I thought they were hands down the best two girls' teams in Northern Kentucky. Now I guess you have to include Simon Kenton in that mix after thumping the Lady Rebels the other night.

CovCath is getting hot at the right time (again) which means they are probably headed toward another Ninth Region title (again). The tournament is all about who's playing well at the right time and the Colonels have that mastered.

Who is the top girls' DI team in Cincinnati? Oak Hills, Lakota West, Mt. Notre Dame, Winton Woods? You can make a legitimate claim for any of the four. Oak Hills has the top seed in the upcoming sectional tournament.

Does anybody miss not reading or hearing about O.J. & Bill and the NCH circus this season? By the way, NCH is 8-5 so far this season.

Without O.J. around, Kyle Rudolph (Elder) and Bobby Austin (La Salle) are making strong cases for Player of the Year honors.

Props to the Newport Central Catholic boys' basketball program, which just won its eighth straight Ninth Region All 'A' title over the weekend.