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11/30/05

Chichester leads by example
Firebirds’ big man set for successful 2005-06 campaign

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

What Josh Chichester does on the basketball court once the ball goes up on Friday nights makes him a great player.

But what Lakota West High senior does on the practice court away from the crowds and hoopla makes him special.

“I don’t think anybody would question that Josh is the most talented player on our team,” veteran Lakota West coach Mike Mueller said. “Come to our practices and watch us run sprints. He’ll win every sprint. When your most talented players are your most hard-working players you know you’ve got something special.”

Chichester, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound center, had a special season in 2004-05. He averaged 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season en route to first-team, all-Greater Miami Conference, second-team, all-district and honorable mention all-Ohio honors.

Chichester, who has accepted a football scholarship to Ohio State University and also will play basketball for the Buckeyes, helped lead the Firebirds to a 19-4 record and a trip to the Division I district finals.

West’s soft-spoken big man is hoping for much more in 2005-06.

“Hopefully we can surpass that mark,” Chichester said. “I just feel great about the season because we have a lot of seniors, ones that contribute and play their roles. Plus, we’ve got a couple of younger kids willing to do their part to help us win a championship.”

With the firepower the Firebirds have returning — three of their top four scorers and five senior starters — championships (GMC, district and beyond) are a distinct possibility.

“(A state championship) is something that everyone’s wanted,” Chichester said. “We’re a really good team. We’ve all played varsity for a while so now everybody has the feel of it. This year we just have to go out and do it.”

What Chichester does best is run the floor in the Firebirds’ transition offense and provide an intimidating presence down low in the middle of the their half-court defense.

“He’s such a gifted athlete who runs the floor incredibly well,” Mueller said. “He has great timing with his defense and rebounding. ... It’s not just the shots he blocks but the ones he changes and the ones he discourages people from taking.”

Chichester owns nearly every school record for blocked shots, including game (seven), season (50), season average (2.2) and career total (96). He’ll also own the career average mark once the season is over.

Chichester’s challenge this season is keeping those blocks in play instead of sending the ball 10 rows back.

“I need to tip them instead of swatting them,” he said. “The swats are good for the crowds but when we really need the ball, I’ll try to tip it to my teammates instead of sending it to my friends (in the crowd).”

In addition to his shot-blocking prowess, Chichester, a three-year starter, ranks second on West’s all-time rebounding list. He stands just 28 boards behind 2004 grad Brian LaChapelle, who finished his career with 418.

Chichester hasn’t set any individual goals for his final high school season.

“I’ll just take whatever comes,” he said. “I’m not going to try too much or do too little. I just have to do what I can do because we’ve got so many different guys who can contribute in so many different ways. I’m happy as long as we get the ‘W’.”


CONTACT JOHN BOYLE at (513) 755-5114 or jboyle@coxohio.com