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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

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday morning. (Stories are listed in order of date – due to a short-handed staff, there will not be a “Last week in West Chester” post next Monday)

House Speaker John Boehner talks jobs at Hamilton plant: U.S. House Speaker John Boehner visited ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America in Hamilton last Monday morning and called on President Obama to work closer with republicans to revive the economy faster. Acknowledging the nation’s ebbing jobless rate, which dropped to 8.3 percent in January compared to 8.5 percent in December, Boehner said the recovery should be further along.

Rick Santorum wins local Tea Party straw poll: Mitt Romney may have won the Nevada caucus and recent primaries in Florida, South Carolina and New Hampshire, but he finished third in the Liberty Township Tea Party straw poll last Monday night. Ironically, Santorum went on to win caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado, as well as a nonbinding primary in Missouri the following night.

Lakota high schools announce National Merit Finalists: Lakota West and Lakota East announced early last week its National Merit Finalists. Receiving the honor from Lakota West High School included seniors Johanna Blake, Sophia Cramer, Kayla McGinnis and Adam Williams. Meanwhile, Dwight Hu, Whitney Wyckoff and Laura Moak received the honor from Lakota East High School.

Firebirds pull away late to defeat Lakota East: After losing by the score of 74-34 to Lakota East last season, Lakota West has defeated its school district rival twice this winter in two closely contested basketball games. The latest victory for the Firebirds took place last Tuesday night when they outscored Lakota East 30-17 in the second half en route to a 57-46 win.

West Chester firms to cut 375 jobs: Nearly 400 workers in West Chester will lose jobs later this year as result of termination notices filed with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Liz Claiborne Inc. confirmed an announcement last year that it will shut its distribution center at 8741 Jacquemin Drive by Sept. 1, eliminating 365 jobs. Separately, Schneider Logistics Inc. said it would eliminate 10 positions by the end of March.

Butler-Warren Road widening project to begin this month: The widening of Butler-Warren Road should ease congestion for thousands of motorists in southeast Butler County and southwest Warren County by year’s end. Plans call for a 2.2-mile stretch of the road between Tylersville and Liberty Way/Mason roads to be widened from two to five lanes at a cost of almost $10 million. County Engineers announced last Wednesday the project would begin Feb. 27.

Butler County Commission candidates participate in forum: Candidates in the Butler County Commission and Butler County Clerk of Courts races participated in a voting forum at the Lakota West Freshman Campus in West Chester last Thursday night. The event attracted a good crowd and featured Republican primary commission candidates including current county Commissioner Chuck Furmon, state Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers. Also taking the stage in the commission race forum was Democrat Jodi Billerman and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus. Both, Billerman and Olthaus, will run in November against the winner of the Republican primary March 6.

Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs opens in West Chester: Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs will open its first Ohio restaurant at 10 a.m. Friday in West Chester. The restaurant, which will be open regularly from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday, is located at 9216 Allen Road in the former Tazza Mia Café off Union Centre Boulevard. The sub chain, which has 96 locations in nine states, prides itself on its freshly baked bread, sliced-to-order meats, healthy food options and inexpensive catering.

Posted in: Business, Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Schools, Sports, Student achievements, Tea Party, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County Commissioner electiion, Butler County Commissioner primary, Butler County Commissioners, Elaine Herrick, Goodcents Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs Cincinnati, Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs West Chester, Goodcents West Chester, John Boehner, John Boehner Cincinnati, John Boehner photos, John Boehner West Chester, Ken Korn, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Last week in West Chester, Liberty Township Tea Party, Plan for America’s Job Creators, Super Tuesday Ohio, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America Hamilton plant, VanGorden Elemenatry School, West Chester Tea Party

The Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs found out Sunday afternoon where, when and who they will play in the Division I district tournament. The drawing was held at Wyoming High School.

Lakota West (13-6 overall, 10-3 in the Greater Miami Conference), which received the No. 9 seed, will open postseason play against the No. 28 seed Loveland Tigers (6-12 overall, 6-8 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Hamilton at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. The Firebirds still have a regular season game left on the schedule, which will be at home against Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, the No. 19 seed Lakota East Thunderhawks (7-12 overall, 4-9 in the GMC) will face No. 12 seed Western Hills (12-6 overall, 6-5 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) at Hamilton at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Lakota East also has one game left in the regular season, which will be played at home against Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: boys' basketball Cincinnati district tournament, boys' basketball district tournament, district tournament, district tournament Cincinnati, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports

The Mason Comets (14-6 overall, 10-4 in the Greater Miami Conference) defeated a Lakota West (12-8 overall, 7-7 in the GMC) team, who had won six of its last seven games, by the score of 46-27 Saturday afternoon.

Mason senior Brianna Glover, who will continue her career at Xavier University, led all players in scoring with 20 points and in rebounds with 10.

Meanwhile, off the bench, senior Ali Zieverink scored 13 points in only nine minutes of playing time for the Firebirds.

The game officially ends the regular season for both teams.

For Lakota West, the postseason will begin Wednesday at 6 p.m. when it will face Loveland (4-16 overall, 3-13 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Harrison High School. Mason, on the other hand, will begin its postseason Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lakota East High School where it will play the winner of a Wednesday night matchup between Mt. Notre Dame (5-15 overall, 2-8 in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League) and Anderson (14-6 overall, 11-5 in the FAVC).

Mason 46, Lakota West 27

Lakota West (12-8, 7-7 in the GMC) – Cannatelli 3 0 7, Mills 1 0 2, Zieverink 6 1 13, Sh. Reeves 2 0 5. Totals: 121 27.

Mason (14-6 overall, 10-4 in the GMC) – Glover 7 5 20, McDowell 2 4 8, Neal 1 4 6, Garner 0 1 1, Herren 1 1 3, Gunn 2 2 6, Ammons 1 0 2. Totals: 14 17 46.

Halftime: Mason 23-8. 3-pointers: L 2 (Cannatelli, Sh. Reeves); M 1 (Glover).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Zieverink, Brianna Glover, Brianna Glover Xavier, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports

Lakota West junior guard Ali Barnes made seven of his 11 three-point attempts and scored 25 points in an 82-73 win against Sycamore Friday. It was the Firebirds’ fifth straight win.

Fellow junior Monty Boykins scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds in the win. Teammates sophomore guard Tyler Williams (18 points, four assists) and senior forward Jackson Blue (10 points, 14 rebounds) made key contributions for Lakota West.

Meanwhile, Sycamore received strong performances from junior Joey Gruden (25 points, six rebounds), senior A.J. Williams (12 points, five rebounds) and junior Mason Morgan (14 points, 10 rebounds). Gruden made seven of his eight three-point attempts.

With the win, Lakota West improved its overall record to 13-6 and its record within the Greater Miami Conference to 10-3. The Firebirds are currently tied with Mason (16-3 overall, 10-3 in the GMC) for second place in the GMC – only one game behind Middletown (14-5 overall, 11-2 in the GMC).

The Firebirds, which will receive its postseason draw Sunday, has one more regular season game left that will be played next Friday at home at 7:30 p.m. against Hamilton (4-15 overall, 2-11 in the GMC). Meanwhile, Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) will wrap up its season next Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota East (7-12 overall, 4-9 in the GMC).

Lakota West 82, Sycamore 73

Lakota West (13-6 overall, 10-3 in the GMC) – Blue 3 4 10, Barnes 9 2 27, Stalker 2 1 5, Williams 5 3 16, Martin 2 0 4, Boykins 7 3 20. Totals: 28 13 82.

Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) – Gruden 9 0 25, Hill 3 0 9, Farquhar 0 4 4, Faust 0 1 1, Gray 1 2 4, Brown 2 0 4, Morgan 7 0 14, Williams 5 2 12. Totals: 27 9 73.

Halftime: Lakota West 32-31. 3-pointers: L 13 (Barnes 7, Williams 3, Boykins 3); S 10 (Gruden 7, Hill 3).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: A.J. Williams, Ali Barnes, Joey Gruden, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Mason Morgan, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Freshman Lauren Cannatelli and junior Bryan McNamara received the honor at Lakota West, while seniors Alissa Bryant and Grant Wall were honored at Lakota East.

Cannatelli has played a big role in Lakota West’s recent hot streak, which has included six wins in the last seven games. During that span, the freshman has scored in double figures three times. Furthermore, against rival Lakota East Feb. 1, she made a three pointer in the final quarter to produce the ninth and final lead change of the contest.

McNamara was the only Firebird to win an individual championship in the Greater Miami Conference meet at Mason last Saturday. He earned all GMC honors in each of the four events he participated in capped by his all GMC first team honor for winning the 500-yard free style event.

Bryant is a senior cheerleader at Lakota East, while Grant Wall is on the Lakota East boys’ basketball team. According to EastThunderhawks.com, Wall is the best on ball defender on the team. He is a great example of understanding his role and being a great teammate. He is also a member of our “Black Shirt Club.”

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, Lakota athletes of the week, Lakota East, Lakota East athletics, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East cheerleading, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West swimming

For the second time this season Notre Dame (Ky.) lost to a team from the Lakota school district. The latest loss took place Wednesday when Lakota West defeated the Pandas by the score of 50-38.

The victory was the Firebirds’ sixth in the last seven games. Meanwhile, the loss was the fourth of the season for Notre Dame (20-4).

Trailing 11-6 after the first quarter, Lakota West dominated the second quarter and went into halftime with a 30-15 lead.

Overall, 10 Firebirds scored in the win.

Lakota West (12-7 overall, 7-6 in the Greater Miami Conference) will wrap up the regular season at Mason (13-6 overall, 9-4 in the GMC) Saturday at 2 p.m. The Firebirds will then open postseason play next Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Loveland (4-15 overall, 3-12 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Harrison High School.

Lakota West 50, Notre Dame 38

Notre Dame (20-4 overall) – Schilling 3 3 9, Ogle 1 0 2, Bernhard 1 1 3, Yung 1 3 5, Thelen 2 5 9, Clark 2 4 10. Totals 10 16 38.

Lakota West (12-7, 7-6 in the GMC) – Zieverink 3 2 8, Sh. Reeves 2 0 6, Huxhold 1 0 3, Adams 0 1 1, Cannatelli 2 0 6, Carter 1 0 2, Tomasic 3 1 7, Niehaus 3 0 8, Su. Reeves 1 5 7, McNeal 0 2 2. Totals 16 11 50.

Halftime: Lakota West 30-15. 3-Pointers: N 2 (Clark); L 7 (Sh. Reeves 2, Cannatelli 2, Niehaus 2, Huxhold)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Notre Dame Academy

After losing by the score of 74-34 to Lakota East last season, Lakota West has defeated its school district rival twice this winter in two closely contested basketball games. The latest victory for the Firebirds took place Tuesday when they outscored Lakota East 30-17 in the second half en route to a 57-46 win.

Leading the second half surge was junior guard Ali Barnes, who sparked a 14-3 Lakota West scoring run in the fourth quarter. During the scoring run, Barnes scored six of his team-leading 14 points.

Barnes’ backcourt teammates, sophomores Tyler Williams and Malik Grove turned in key performances in the win. Williams, who made a three pointer to force the final lead change in the fourth quarter, finished with 11 points. Grove, who has playing well on the junior varsity level recently, scored seven points and led the team in rebounding with seven boards in limited playing time.

For Lakota East, junior Robbie Harpring led all scorers with 15 points. He also had six rebounds. Harpring’s freshman teammate, forward Myo Baxter, finished with a career high 14 points in the loss.

The win puts Lakota West (12-6 overall, 9-3 in the Greater Miami Conference) in a two-way tie for second place in the GMC standings. Meanwhile, Lakota East (6-12 overall, 3-9 in the GMC) is tied for seventh place out of 10 teams in the GMC.

Lakota West, which has won four games in a row, will play at Sycamore (6-12 overall, 2-10 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Also in action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lakota East will host Oak Hills (7-10 overall, 5-7 in the GMC).

Lakota West 57, Lakota East 47

Lakota East (6-12, 3-9 in the GMC) – Emrick 2 1 5, Harpring 6 1 15, Lowry 3 0 6, Baxter 6 2 14, Bah 1 0 2, Panzeca 1 2 4. Totals 19 6 46.

Lakota West (12-6, 9-3 in the GMC) – Blue 2 1 5, Barnes 5 4 14, Stalker 2 0 4, Williams 4 2 11, Boykins 2 3 7, Ross 3 1 7, Thomas 1 0 2, Grove 3 0 7. Totals 22 11 57.

Halftime: Lakota East 29-27. 3-pointers: LE 2 (Harpring 2), LW 2 (Williams, Grove).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove Lakota West, Myo Baxter, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

The regular season will end this week for both the Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball programs. Each team will play an out-of-conference opponent Wednesday night before capping off the regular season against a Greater Miami Conference foe on the road Saturday afternoon.

As it stands, Lakota East (11-7 overall, 8-5 in the GMC) and Lakota West (11-7 overall, 7-6) are in the middle of the pack in regards to the conference standings.

In boys’ basketball, Lakota West (11-6 overall, 8-3 in the GMC) will host Lakota East (6-11 overall, 3-8 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, also taking place this week, are the swimming and diving sectionals. The diving portion will take place Feb. 7-8 at Miami University, while the swimming portion will take place Feb. 10-11 at St. Xavier’s Keating Natatorium.

See below for the weekly Lakota varsity high school sports schedule:

Monday, Feb. 6

Lakota East – bowling – at Reading at 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Lakota West – bowling (boys) – vs. St. Xavier at 4 p.m.
Lakota East and Lakota West – boys’ diving – sectional meet at Miami University at 6 p.m.
Lakota East at Lakota West – boys’ basketball – at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Lakota East – bowling – vs. Tri w/ St. X/Ursuline at 3:30 p.m.
Lakota East and Lakota West – girls’ diving – sectional meet at Miami University at 6 p.m.
Lakota East – girls’ basketball – vs. Bellbrook at 7:30 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ basketball – vs. Notre Dame (Ky.) at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Lakota East – bowling – at Badin at 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 10

Lakota East and Lakota West – boys’ swimming– sectional meet at Keating Natatorium at 6 p.m.
Lakota East – boys’ basketball – vs. Oak Hills at 7:30 p.m.
Lakota West – boys’ basketball – at Sycamore at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Lakota East and Lakota West – girls’ swimming– sectional meet at Keating Natatorium at 11 a.m.
Lakota East – girls’ basketball – at Hamilton at 2 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ basketball – at Mason at 2 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletic weekly schedule, GMC swimming meet. Greater Miami Conference swimming meet, GMC wrestling meet, Greater Miami Conference wrestling meet, Lakota East, Lakota East athletic schedule, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East bowling, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletic schedule, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West bowling, Lakota West sports, schedule, sports schedule

The Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball programs found out Sunday afternoon where, when and who they will play in the Division I district tournament. The drawing was held at Wyoming High School, which will also host the boys’ basketball district tournament drawing this Sunday at 2 p.m.

Lakota East, which received the No. 4 seed, will have a bye before beginning the postseason. The Thunderhawks’ first playoff game will take place at Kings High School at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 against the winner of the matchup between No. 16 seed Hamilton (11-7 overall, 5-7 in the Greater Miami Conference) and No. 18 seed Glen Este (9-9 overall, 5-9 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference).

Meanwhile, Lakota West, which received the No. 8 seed, will open against No. 28 seed Loveland (4-13 overall, 3-10 in the FAVC) at Harrison High School at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. The winner of that game will advance to play No. 27 seed Western Hills (10-7 overall, 7-4 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) at Harrison at 6 p.m. Feb. 21.

Both teams will wrap up the regular season this week.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: district tournament, district tournament Cincinnati, girls' basketball Cincinnati district tournament, girls' basketball district tournament, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports