CINCINNATI -- Jeremiah Davenport has a passion for the game of basketball.
Whether he's driving to the bucket, making a 3-pointer, soaring above the rim or making a defensive stop, the Moeller senior 6-foot-5 guard plays with an energy that is difficult to match this time of year.
On Wednesday night, the Wright State University signee showed why he's such a valuable part of an ultra-talented Moeller squad.
Davenport had 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in Moeller's 65-44 win over Springfield in a Division I regional semifinal at Xavier University's Cintas Center.
The Crusaders (24-3), winners of 17 consecutive games, advance to play either Huber Heights Wayne or Princeton in the regional final at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Xavier.
Senior forward Jaxson Hayes (Texas) and junior guard Alec Pfriem each had 10 points Wednesday night.
Moeller is one game away from returning to the state Final Four for a seventh time. After coming in second in their division last year, the Crusaders want another opportunity at the ultimate prize.
"I've been thinking about it a lot," said Davenport, who was one point from tying his career high in points. "Ever since the season started, that's been our goal -- getting back to where we were and get the job done."
Davenport's older brother Michael was part of Moeller's 2007 state title team, so the discussion is ever-present between the siblings. Joshua Davenport, a 2013 Moeller graduate, also played in the Moeller basketball program.
Michael has urged his younger brother to play the way he knows best -- with a natural tenacity on both ends of the floor. He and Joshua worked with Jeremiah last summer to improve his mid-range and 3-point game.
"He's playing for not just himself but his family and everyone who has helped and supported him," Michael Davenport said. "He's having fun. He doesn't back down from a challenge."
Moeller coach Carl Kremer knows much the game of basketball has meant to Jeremiah. His stardom didn't arrive quickly, and Kremer watched him work his way up through years of summer camps and basketball seasons.
"To see it all come together for him at the end of his junior year last year and this year I'm really proud of him," Kremer said.
One part of that highlight reel was undoubtedly the first play of the fourth quarter when Moeller senior forward Jaxson Hayes found senior guard Isaiah Payton, who passed to Davenport for a dunk.
"We always felt he would be good as he matured," Kremer said. "I think he's a dominating player. I think Wright State is pretty excited at the kind of the player they are going to get in him."
Although Jeremiah is concerned about Moeller's success in the tournament, he's always very happy Wright State won the Horizon League title and plays in the NCAA Tournament Thursday against Tennessee.
The Raiders are looking forward to adding him to their program next season.
"Jeremiah is a tough forward who always plays hard and comes from a winning program," Wright State coach Scott Nagy said when Davenport signed in November. "He brings all the intangibles we need in our program and expect him to carry on his winning ways."
