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Cincy

3/19/06

Speedy opponent undoes West

Division I boys' regional final

BY MARK SCHMETZER | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR

After watching Trotwood-Madison whack Princeton in Thursday's Division I regional semifinals, Lakota West coach Mike Mueller had this observation regarding the Rams.
"They are fast and athletic," Mueller said. "They make you play faster than you want to."
The Firebirds were able to avoid succumbing to Trotwood's pressure for most of their regional championship Saturday night at Xavier's Cintas Center, but it caught up to Lakota West in the end. The Firebirds committed 10 turnovers in the second half, allowing the Rams to come from behind for a 71-68 overtime win.
"We tell the kids you have to play defense at seven, eight, ninth speed and offense at six, seven, eighth speed," Mueller said. "Occasionally, you have to play at that 10th speed.
"(Trotwood) made Princeton look like a bad team the other night, and Princeton's a good team. They took advantage of our mistakes and made some big plays."
Junior Patric Hill scored his only points of the game on a 3-pointer with 23.5 seconds left in overtime to give Trotwood (21-5) a 69-68 lead. Senior British Alexander added two free throws, also his only points of the game, with 3.7 seconds left.
Lakota West (23-3) had a chance to tie the game when Alexander fouled senior Todd Mayberry as he attempted a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Mayberry missed the first of three free throws.
"You tell him if it wasn't for everything he contributed during the game, those free throws wouldn't have mattered," Mueller said. "He can't blame himself."
Senior Vince Cook missed just one of his 11 field-goal attempts and was 8-for-11 on free throws for a game-high 28 points. Senior Josh Chichester added 10 points, including the first four in overtime.
Lakota West was playing in the regional championship game for the first time since the Lakota district split into two high schools in 1997. The last time a Lakota school reached the regional championship game was when the single Lakota High School won the 1992 state championship.
Trotwood-Madison also ended Lakota West's season last year in the district championship game.
"The only thing I'm sad about is I don't get to go to practice Monday," Mueller said.
Trotwood-Madison (21-5) - Leak 2 0 4, Darby 5 2 14, Marone 4 6 14, Wright 4 4 12, Hill 1 0 3, Alexander 0 2 2, Morgan 3 5 12, Lakes 1 0 2, Jones 1 2 4, Britt 1 2 4. Totals: 22 23 71.
Lakota West (23-3) - Casper 2 0 6, Chichester 4 2 10, Cook 10 8 28, Mayberry 3 0 9, Haberman 0 2 2, Gschwind 1 0 3, Glass 1 0 2, Schloemer 4 0 8. Totals: 25 12 68.
Trotwood-Madison1313191610-71Lakota West161615147-68
3-pointers: T 4 (Darby 2, Hill, Morgan), L 6 (Mayberry 3, Casper 2, Gschwind).