Prospect Spotlight: Mo Hartwich (2021 Columbia Christian HS)
There’s no question that Ben Gregg has been the main attraction at Columbia Christian this year, but the Knights have a great supporting cast. For example, take fellow sophomore Mo Hartwich. The still-growing 6-foot-10, 185-pound post has been an anchor…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThere’s no question that Ben Gregg has been the main attraction at Columbia Christian this year, but the Knights have a great supporting cast. For example, take fellow sophomore Mo Hartwich. The still-growing 6-foot-10, 185-pound post has been an anchor in the middle for Columbia Christian and he was able to showcase some of those skills over the holiday break at the Les Schwab Invitational.
“I think it was amazing and was a good experience for our team just because we’re a small school competing with these big people,” Hartwich said. “It was incredible to see how many people were coming to watch and it was fun. I think I’m doing pretty good on my part and overall we’re doing amazing right now.”
At the LSI, Hartwich averaged 7.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots in the four games, shooting .619 from the field. Very lanky and still developing with his offensive game, he showed a nice touch around the basket and it’s been the result of the work he put in with his head coach this past off-season.
“I’ve been working with Bart Valentine and he’s been helping me a lot with fundamentals and finishing,” Hartwich said. “Growing has helped me out a lot. Coach really builds a lot of confidence in me in my game and he helps me get better and show myself out there in the world.”
The younger brother of former Portland Pilot Philipp Hartwich – who stood 7-foot-1 – Mo hasn’t quite gotten on the radar of college coaches yet although Portland certainly is familiar with him having been to Columbia Christian to recruit Gregg. Hartwich would love the opportunity to play in college like his brother did, but he’s staying patient. “I don’t think I’m there yet but I’m gonig to be,” Hartwich said. “I hope next year will be my year. The key for me will be getting stronger.”
For now, simply playing with Columbia Christian and his teammates while they chase a repeat 2A state title is good enough for him. “Playing with Ben and Elijah (Munyon) is incredible,” Hartwich said. “They see the floor and Ben has the highest IQ I’ve ever seen – he’s such a super good basketball player. And Elijah is just crazy – he just turned 15 and he’s dunking like crazy and he’s shooting three feet behind the three-point line.”
“I’m just going to be in the paint, scaring people to go and do their work on the perimeter,” he added. “And I think next season will be the best season when we’re juniors.”
Hartwich currently ranks as the #28 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.