Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs won their season openers Friday night. Lakota East – No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – defeated Wilmington by the score of 72-59, while No. 2 Lakota West defeated Talawanda 51-39.
The Thunderhawks outscored Wilmington 21-14 in the third quarter, growing their lead to 10 points after leading by only three at halftime.
In the win, senior guards Stedman Lowry and Robbie Harpring combined to make 14 of their 14 free-throw attempts. Lowry finished the game with 18 points, while Harpring added 16 points and five assists.
Also contributing to the win were sophomores Myo Baxter and Alex White. Baxter had eight points and six rebounds, while White had career highs in rebounds with 13 and in points with 18.
Junior guard Tyler Williams paced Lakota West by knocking down four three pointers, finishing with 16 points. Williams, who has offers from Miami and Kennesaw State, also had five steals. Senior Ali Barnes (seven points), junior Tyler Bowling (nine points), junior Malik Grove (eight points) and Ethan Thomas (seven points) also contributed to the win as West played without its returning leading scorer in senior Monty Boykins.
The Firebirds actually trailed 11-9 at the end of the first quarter before getting out to a comfortable lead at halftime by outscoring Talawanda 23-9 in the second quarter.
| Lakota East | 19 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 72 |
| Wilmington | 15 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 59 |
Lakota East (1-0) - Emrick 2 0 4, White 7 0 18, Harpring 6 6 18, S. Lowry 6 8 18, Baxter 4 0 8, Panzeca 3 0 6, D. Lowry 1 0 2. Totals: 25 18 72
Wilmington (0-1) - Jarron Cumberland 5 7 19, Jaevin Cumberland 6 3 17, Scott 3 4 10, Mansfield 3 3 9, Briggs 1 0 2, Beaugard 1 0 2. Totals: 19 17 59
Halftime: Lakota East 35-32. 3-pointers: L 4 (Harpring 2, Lowry 2); W 4 (Jarron Cumberland 2, Jaevin Cumberland 2)
| Talawanda | 11 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 39 |
| Lakota West | 9 | 23 | 4 | 15 | 51 |
Talawanda - Webb 4 0 11, Robinson 6 0 12, Davidson 4 0 8, Kimiecik 1 0 2, Mincy 0 1 1, Adams 0 5 5. Totals 15 6 39.
Lakota West (1-0) - Barnes 2 1 7, Bowling 4 1 9, Williams 6 0 16, Grove 2 4 8, Thomas 0 7 7, Moo Young 1 0 2, Martin 1 0 2. Totals 16 13 51.
Halftime: Lakota West 51-39. 3-pointers: T 3 (Webb 3); L 6 (Barnes 2, Williams 4)
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