02/15/2025
BY JACK BULLOCK
FLORA - In the two previous games played between Flora and Althoff Catholic, brothers Greg and Phil Leib each got a win, with the Wolves winning over the Crusaders in 2011 and Althoff turning the tables over Flora a season ago.

With the pending retirement of Phil Leib coming at the end of the 2024-25 season, the game played Saturday night would be the finale between the two.

On the floor the top-ranked ABV and state-wide 2A number one team proved to be too much for the Wolves to handle.

The Crusaders wasted little time in taking care of business with a 76-45 win over Flora on a night where Coach Phil Leib was honored for his service as a teacher and coach before the game.

Althoff ran its record to 26-4 on the season with the victory while Flora dropped to just 7-19.

The game didn't feature many highlights for the hosts but in the end the celebration spoke for itself.

Coach Leib will retire as the all-time leader in wins for the program that has over 1,600 total.

As for the Crusaders they proved that they're worthy of the rankings.

Coach Greg Leib has his club on a 13-game winning streak they're the top-seeded team in their “war zone” of a sub-sectional.

The top-gun for Althoff on Saturday night was 6-foot senior Bryden Gryzmala.

He led the Crusaders with 25-points.

The shooting guard hit four of the Crusaders' 13 3-pointers in the game, three of which came in the second half as Althoff pulled away.

Second on the scoring list was 6-1 senior Zach Winkeler with 17-points.

Winkeler also nailed down a quartet of long range 3-pointers, with three of his coming in the opening two quarters.

Dierre Hill, Jr., a 6-1 senior, added 13.

Hill is headed to Oregon to play football next fall for the Ducks after a record breaking senior season in leading the Crusaders football squad to a 1A state championship in November.

Junior guard Luke Smith tossed in nine-points for Althoff.

“They're athletic at every position and it's not like you can leave one of them open because they can all score,” said Coach Phil Leib. “When they get open shots they knock them down. That's the difference between great teams and average teams. They hit the open shots.”

Two players for Flora reached double-digits.

Six-one junior guard Kyler Dennis scored 15-points for the Wolves and junior guard Parker Helm pitched in 14.

Sophomore Kehlin Crawford scored seven for Coach Leib.

Hill, Jr. and Gryzmala each hit early 3-pointers to open the scoring but Flora responded with six-consecutive points from 6-6 senior Jadon Leib, the nephew of both of the Leib coaches, Dennis and Helm.

Helm scored on a drive to the basket to tie the game at 6-6.

It was the only tie of the game and the only time the game was close.

Althoff closed the quarter with Hill and Winkeler hitting 3-point shots and buckets inside by Hill and Gryzmala.

A fast break lay in by Hill, Jr. made it 19-11 at the end of the first eight minutes.

Leading just 21-15 midway through the second quarter, Althoff went on a 14-4 run.

Gryzmala added two more scores, both in transition, with the first one coming off of a steal by Winkeler.

Consecutive 3-point bombs by Winkeler made it 35-19 Althoff.

A Dennis score closed the half with the Wolves down 14.

(CONTINUED)

The Crusaders didn't commit a turnover in the first half while forcing eight from Flora.

“About 10 or 12 years ago we switched from the traditional post to position-less (offense) and the guys like playing it,” said Coach Greg Leib. “As long as we move the basketball we're difficult to guard.”

The second half was much of the same for Althoff.

An inside basket by senior Patton Leib, Coach Greg Leib's son, was followed by 3-pointers by Gryzmala and Winkeler.

Gryzmala added two more scores in the quarter while Winkeler and junior guard Luke Smith each put in shots for a 56-34 spread at the end of the third.

Althoff added to the damage done by hitting five more 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the lead ballooned to the mercy rule 30-point lead.

Gryzmala had two of them on consecutive trips before Hill, Jr. ended his scoring with a step back 3-pointer from the left wing.

A basket by Smith triggered the continuous clock with 5:19 left.

“We work on defense more than we do offense because it is so important,” said Coach Greg Leib. “These guys have committed to it. That's why they're where they're at right now.”

Both coaches sent in reserves to play out the final minutes.

The final stats told much of the story.

Belleville Althoff hit 13-of-32 from the arc, 30-of-66 overall in the contest.

The Crusaders ended up with a 37-27 rebounding edge and committed just three turnovers, all coming during mop up time in the final moments.

Flora finished 16-of-45 from the field and just 2-of-13 from downtown.

They only turned it over nine times.

“There is only two things you can control in life; attitude and effort,” said Coach Phil Leib. “All we ask from our kids is to compete. Wins and loses will take care of themselves but as long as you show competitiveness and we did that tonight. We were just outmatched. They're the number one team in the state for a reason.”

“Our schedule, tournaments and non-conference games, are mostly 3A and 4A schools and it helps us get ready for the playoffs,” said Coach Greg Leib. “Everyone makes the playoffs and beating bad teams doesn't help you. Our sub-sectional might be the toughest in the nation. You better show up ready.”