WestChesterBuzz.com

Behind a strong defensive effort, Lakota West stormed into Friday’s Division I sectional finals – defeating Western Hills by the score of 61-21 Tuesday.

Using a pressuring defense, the Firebirds (14-8 overall, 7-7 in the Greater Miami Conference) held Western Hills to 26.7 percent shooting and forced 33 turnovers.

The active defense led to five steals for Lauren Cannatelli as the 5-foot-7 freshman guard scored 11 points and dished out three assists.

Cannatelli’s backcourt partner, 5-foot-6 junior guard Emily Neihaus, was the only other Lakota West player in double figures with 10 points and three rebounds.

Meanwhile, Western Hills (11-8) forced 17 turnovers, with 5-foot-6 freshman guard Dan’Shae Hill picking up three steals to go with her team-high nine points and four rebounds.

Last Wednesday, Lakota West defeated Loveland by the score of 62-24 in its first postseason game. Like the win against Western Hills, the Firebirds’ defense played well – limiting Loveland to 19 percent shooting and forcing 29 turnovers.

Lakota West, the No. 8 seed in the Southwest District, will play No. 2 seed Princeton (19-3 overall, 13-1 in the GMC) at Harrison High School at 7 p.m. Friday. Earlier this season, Princeton defeated Lakota West by the score of 68-60. In that win, sophomore Kelsey Mitchell led Princeton with 33 points. Mitchell, who is ranked the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2014 by ESPN, is averaging 20.5 points per game.

Like the Firebirds, Princeton has had two convincing wins this postseason – defeating Woodward 83-16 last Wednesday and beating Northwest 70-12 Tuesday.

Lakota West (14-8) - Zieverink 3 3 9, Sh. Reeves 2 1 6, Cannatelli 4 1 11, McNeal 1 0 2, Neihaus 4 0 10, Huxhold 1 0 2, Adams 2 0 4, R. Mills 2 0 4, Tomasic 2 0 4, Su. Reeves 3 0 7, H. Mills 1 0 2. Totals 25 5 61.

Western Hills (11-8) - Abernathy 1 0 2, Johnson 0 2 2, Thomas 2 1 5, Hill 4 1 9, Davis 1 0 2, Chancellor 0 1 1. Totals 8 5 21.

Halftime: Lakota West 45-7. 3-pointers: L 6 (Cannatelli 2, Neihaus 2, Sh. Reeves, Su. Reeves).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Dan'Shae Hill, Emily Neihaus, Kelsey Mitchell, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lauren Cannatelli, Princeton basketball, Western Hills basketball

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Junior Emily Neihaus and senior Jamie Keesling received the honor at Lakota West, while senior Taylor Alden and junior Jimmy McCarthy were honored at Lakota East.

Niehaus led or was tied for the team lead in assists and steals the past three games, at Oak Hills last Wednesday, at Sycamore last Saturday and against Lakota West this Wednesday. She also tied a career high with 11 points in the 68-52 loss against Sycamore.

Keesling was the only double winner for Lakota West wrestling last week. Keesling, who competes at 170 pounds, earned a 2-0 decision in last Wednesday’s match against Lakota East. He also added an 11-8 win at Harrison last Saturday.

Alden, according to EastThunderhawks.com, has been among the team leaders in each of the matches. Also, according to the high school sports website: “Her consistency has helped the team keep pace and helped to push all of her teammates. She has been willing to step into whatever position is asked of her in the baker games and has performed well.”

McCarthy, according to EastThunderhawks.com, rolled a 424 series (221, 203) to lead the boys’ team to their first victory of the season over Kings. This was the high series rolled by any of the boys this year and it came at a good time as it led them to a 99-pin victory. McCarthy also had a solid day bowling in the fifth position on the baker team. Despite being a first-year team member, he has consistently been among the team leaders and has shown good improvement, according to the Lakota East athletic website.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Emily Neihaus, Jamie Keesling, Jimmy McCarthy, Lakota East, Lakota East bowling, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West wrestling, Taylor Alden