Defenders would be foolish not to identify Chittenango’s Ryan Moesch as soon as he steps into the gym.
That’s because the junior is leading Section III with 37.2 points per game this season.
Chittenango coach John Clancy does not doubt that Moesch was blessed with “natural talent” and an unmatched work ethic, but he also credits the unselfishness of Moesch’s teammates for the Bears’ success.
“We have a really good group of kids,” Clancy said. “They’re selfless and they’re really only concerned about winning. The great thing is they’re very selfless about getting Ryan in situations where he can score or make passes. We’ve seen a lot of strange defenses this year to try to contain Ryan, and the kids have really done a good job of doing their best to combat those.”
Moesch’s 40-point game and the play of several role players propelled the Bears to a 54-38 victory over Homer in an Onondaga High School League boys basketball matchup on Thursday night.
Clancy also praised seniors Jack Lamphere and Brendon Barnard for the leadership they have provided to a team that lost three seniors to graduation from last year’s 20-3 team that reached the Class B sectional semifinal.
“Obviously, Ryan’s a great player, but guys like Jack and Brendon ... this is their third year playing varsity, and they really provide a lot of leadership for us and they know what to do and they’re really good at helping the less experienced kids out,” Clancy said.
The Bears defeated the Trojans by 30 points in their first regular season meeting. Moesch scored 31 points and dropped nine dimes during that game on Dec. 15.
In total, Moesch has seven games of over 40 points this season and his lowest scoring output was 21 points against Bishop Ludden in the season opener.
“I would love to tell you that we spend a ton of practice coaching him about how to do all the things he does, but that’s not the case,” Clancy said. “He’s got a lot of natural ability and he works at it. He is a basketball junkie. All that time he’s put in and with a lot of natural ability has really made him a tremendous player. He just continues to get better and better every year. He’s gotten better and better and you’re kind of seeing the results of all his work that he’s put into it.”
Chittenango (10-5) next hosts East Syracuse Minoa at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
“But ESM ... I saw them play last night,” Clancy said. “I think they’re really good. They’re long and they had some young kids last year who were a lot more experienced from where they were. You can just see the maturation from them from a year ago. I think it’s going to be a very difficult game for us on Tuesday. We’re going to have to play well.”
Homer (6-6) gets a nonleague matchup against Norwich at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Ryan Moesch (1) of Chittenango shoots the ball against Homer during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Kaden Durham (5) of Homer shoots the ball against Chittenango during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Tyler Van Etten (14) of Homer shoots the ball against Chittenango during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Wyatt Wilbur (15) of Homer drives for a shot against Chittenango during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Jacob Cheek (34) of Chittenango shoots the ball against Homer during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Bernardo Bortovski (4) of Chittenango shoots the ball against Homer during a Boys Basketball game on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Max Franco (20) of Homer passes the ball against Chittenango during a Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
Chittenango vs Homer Boys Basketball on Thursday January 18, 2024 at Homer High School in Homer, New York.
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