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Lakota West girls end slump, beat East

Resolute seniors carry Firebirds to 40-39 win after string of 3 losses.

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1:16 AM Thursday, February 2, 2012

By Eric Hickey

Contributing Writer

WEST CHESTER TWP. — For the Lakota West girls basketball team, it was more than a game; it had become an obession.

After beating archrival Lakota East 18 straight times, the Firebirds had hit a slump, dropping the last three games to the Thunderhawks, a slump that West coach Andy Fishman was determined not to let reach four.

Thanks to a senior class that refused to fold when East snagged a five-point, fourth-quarter lead, the Firebirds, and Fishman, can begin a new streak.

Despite missing the front end of 1-and-1 three times in the last 35 seconds, the Firebirds were able to score a 40-39 triumph over the Thunderhawks in front a large, boisterous crowd at West.

“This was nice, real nice, but it was different,” Fishman said. “This was the first time I really wanted to beat East. The girls, these seniors, really wanted to beat East. These seniors grew up watching West pummel East and quite honestly, the rivalry had lost its luster. After losing the last three, we really wanted this one.”

Adrianna McNeal came off the bench to lead all scorers with 12 points, including a huge bucket following an East turnover that gave West a 40-37 lead late.

“The girls really played with a sense of urgency and desire,” Fishman said. “We made a lot of mistakes, but the girls were able to overcome them. They gave the second and third effort.”

The Thunderhawks struggled to hit shots from long range, shooting 1-of-14 from beyond the arc. East also turned the ball over 20 times.

“Shooting 3’s is what we do,” East coach Nikki Drew said. “We were not going to change that. We forced some shots early and relied on jump shots a bit too much.”

East, which fell to 11-6, 8-4 Greater Miami Conference, was led by Molly Blomer’s 11 points and seven rebounds. Shaw added 10 points and eight caroms. Bernice Satterwhite had six points, seven rebounds and eight steals.

Ali Zieverink had six points and 10 rebounds for West, which improved to 10-7, 6-6 GMC. West hosts Hamilton High Saturday.

East hosts GMC-leading Sycamore on Saturday.

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