Monday, March 06, 2000
Cincinnati basketball update
Elder rematch next for West Hi
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Since losing to Elder on Jan.10, the Western Hills boys basketball team has won 13 consecutive games.
“We're now a different team,” Western Hills coach Lannis Timmons said. “We're more patient on offense and also play much better defense.”
But running the streak to 14 may be difficult. Western Hills plays Elder at 8:30 p.m. today in a Division I sectional championship game at UC's Shoemaker Center. St. Xavier will play Milford at the Shoe at 7 p.m.
At Miami University's Millett Hall, Princeton will play Lakota West at 6:15 p.m. and Hamilton will play Withrow at 8 p.m.
Princeton and Lakota West have played twice this season. The Firebirds won 65-62 on Jan.7, but the Vikings returned the favor on Feb.12 with a 57-46 victory.
District tournament play begins in other divisions Wednesday and continues through Saturday at the University of Dayton Arena. The winners advance to next week's regional semifinals.
Xavier University's top recruit, Romain Guessagba-Sato, a guard/forward for No.1-ranked Dayton Christian, will play against McNicholas at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at UD Arena.
The Cincinnati area's six re maining girls basketball teams will be involved in regional semifinal games on Tuesday and Wednesday at Wright State University and Vandalia-Butler High School.
Undefeated Mason, Ohio's No.1 ranked girls basketball team, is will play Clayton Northmont at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the Division I regional semifinals at Wright State University's Nutter Center.
Northmont is a physical team that matches up well on the inside with Mason. The Comets should have the advantage at the guard positions, although Mason coach Gerry Lackey says Northmont can play well outside as well.
“They (Northmont) shoot the ball well and handled everything that Colerain threw at them,” Lackey said of the Thunderbolts' last game.
A scrappy and small Mount Notre Dame team will play Beavercreek, loaded with strong inside players and standout point guard Tiffany Webb, in the second game Tuesday at 8 p.m.
In Division II regionals on Tuesday at Vandalia-Butler, Badin meets Springboro at 8 p.m.
Wednesday's Division III regional semifinal matchups at Vandalia-Butler are Waynesville and Springfield Northwestern — both 23-1 — at 8 p.m., and Madeira and Morral Ridgedale in the early game at 6:15 p.m.
The semifinal winners meet on either Friday or Saturday for the regional championship and a berth in the state final four.
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