CCS has postseason focus after winning first league title

Last Wednesday, CCS went on the road and defeated North College Hill 77-66, giving the Cougars a share of the Miami Valley Conference Gray Division championship with Cincinnati Country Day.

It’s the first MVC crown for Cincinnati Christian in boys basketball.

“We won it the hard way,” second-year Cougars coach Carl Woods said. “It was a phenomenal experience. It’s a big, big accomplishment for the school and these kids.”

Cincinnati Christian followed that up by winning its Division IV sectional opener last Saturday, thrashing Ripley 75-47.

CCS advanced to the sectional semifinals at Taylor on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars will face Miami Valley Christian Academy, a team they beat 68-56 on Feb. 10.

“I think what’s working is we’re playing team ball,” junior forward Nathan Grammel said. “When we play team ball, we play really well.”

Cincinnati Christian split with CCD and went 8-5 in MVC play.

Country Day had already completed its conference season when the Cougars traveled to North College Hill and topped the Trojans, getting double-digit scoring from Grammel (13), sophomore Dylan Woods (13), seniors Christian Rieman (13) and Terence Hubbard (12), and sophomore Christian Keese (12).

“Coach started it off when we got on the bus,” Grammel said. “He said, ‘I want you guys to stay focused and be quiet and keep to yourselves and just think about the game.’ We did that, and we came out and played as well as we did all year long.

“Winning the league is the greatest feeling in the world. Just to celebrate with my teammates and be a part of history at CCS is the greatest thing.

“Our expectations were really high this year, so we stepped up and reached them. All we’ve got to do is thank God for that.”

Adding to Cincinnati Christian’s optimism: The team has reached full strength for the first time this year. The Cougars beat MVCA with Hubbard and Grammel out because of injuries.

Hubbard (11.4), Woods (10.7) and Rieman (9.4) are the top scorers for CCS. They’re joined in the starting lineup by Grammel, who’s averaging 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and sophomore Brady Roberts.