By Ed Letsinger

Boys’ Division I regional semifinal play begins tonight at Xavier University’s Cintas Center and Columbus Fairgrounds Stadium with two teams each from the Greater Miami Conference and Greater Catholic League South division still alive.

At Cintas Center, the doubleheader features three of the top six teams in Cincinnati.

Lakota West (22-2), ranked No. 1 in Cincinnati and eighth in the state, meets defending state runner-up and No. 6 St. Xavier (20-4) at 6:15 followed by No. 2 Princeton (20-3) and Trotwood-Madison in the second game at 8 p.m.

All three local schools are coming off of impressive district championship performances.  The Firebirds routed Fairborn 69-45, the Bombers pounded La Salle 62-37 and Princeton rolled past Northmont 68-46.

Lakota West is one of the hottest teams in the state, winners of 15 of their last 16 games since losing to Columbus (Ga.) in an out-of-state holiday tournament on Dec. 29.  St. Xavier is on an impressive seven-game winning streak that includes four double digit wins over ranked teams since losing to La Salle in a 67-48 blowout on Feb. 3.

The only team hotter than Lakota West may be fellow GMC school Princeton.  After dropping their first two games of the season, the Vikings have since won 20 of 21 games.

Elder (22-2), playing through the Columbus regional at Fairgrounds Coliseum, faces Reynoldsburg (21-3) at 7 p.m.  The Panthers, ranked No. 7 in the state, started the year on a 15-game winning streak before dropping two of their next three games.  The Panthers have since won five straight.