OxfordPress.com

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Greater Catholic League influence is being felt in the NCAA Tournament. Miami University's basketball team has four players (Doug Penno from Alter, Nathan Peavy from Chaminade-Julienne, Monty St. Clair from Roger Bacon and Tyler Dierkers from Moeller) from the prep power league, and their successful careers were clearly boosted by the nightly wars in the GCL.

"You had to work for everything you got," Penno said. "I think that's one reason why Coach (Charlie) Coles got us. I mean, even playing against a team like Badin, which may not have been as talented as some of the other teams, made you tough. They were as hard-nosed as any team you're ever going to play. Playing against them was almost like playing football at times."

Said Peavy, "The GCL did a good job of preparing me for college basketball. Back in high school, it was always tough, low-scoring, defensive battles. Here at Miami, we play that same game."

Penno and Peavy competed against each other as youngsters, then played together briefly before they became prep rivals. Peavy's last prep game was a loss to Alter.

"Luckily," Peavy said, "Doug doesn't bring that up a lot."

Rick Cassano

Staff Writer