WestChesterBuzz.com

Lakota East senior ace Mike Conrad during a game against Mason on Monday, April 2, 2012. Photo taken by Tony Tribble.

Every Friday morning this spring, WestChesterBuzz.com will provide a quick weekly recap of the Lakota varsity high school sports games as well as previewing the weekend. On Mondays, look for the Lakota weekly athletic schedule.

Lakota West baseball: After starting the season by losing three of its first four games, Lakota West is currently on a four-game winning streak. In those four games, played last Saturday through Thursday, Lakota West has outscored its opponents by the score of 38-4. On another note, Lakota West head Bill Dreisbach became the school district’s all-time leader in wins Wednesday. After another win Thursday, Dreisbach has now won 270 games. Also as of Thursday, Lakota West is 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota East baseball: After losing to Mason Monday for the second time this season, the Thunderhawks defeated Princeton on back-to-back evenings this week. In the 4-2 loss against Mason, University of Cincinnati signee Michael Conrad gave up two hits and struck out 10 in 5 innings of work. For the season, Conrad (0-1) has 22 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. As of Wednesday, Lakota East is 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the GMC.

Lakota West softball: Lakota West is in sole possession of first place in the Greater Miami Conference standings. On Monday, the Firebirds defeated Oak Hills, 2-1, on Monday and Princeton, 10-0, on Thursday. Lakota West also took first place in the latest coaches poll from The Cincinnati Enquirer. In the Enquirer’s preseason poll, the Firebirds were tied with Lakota East – a team the Firebirds defeated by the score of 6-2 March 30. As of Thursday, Lakota West is 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the GMC.

Lakota East softball: After losing to rival Lakota West last week, the Thunderhawks (No. 2 in Enquirer poll) have won three in a row this week including a 5-4 win against Mason (No. 3 in Enquirer poll) Thursday. Earlier in the week, the first game since the loss to Lakota West, Lakota East defeated Princeton by the score of 25-2. As of Thursday, Lakota East is 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the GMC.

Lakota West boys’ volleyball: The Firebirds are off to a great start this season, winning all seven games. The last match, a 25-6, 25-10, 25-8, win against Sycamore gave Lakota West its first GMC victory of the season. As of Thursday, Lakota West is 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the GMC.

Lakota East boys’ volleyball: The Thunderhawks are also playing well and won a road match at Edgewood by the score of 25-17, 25-8, 25-14 on Tuesday. As of Wednesday, Lakota East is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the GMC.

See below for the complete Lakota varsity high school sports weekend schedule:

Friday, April 6

Lakota East – softball – at Miami East at 10:30 a.m.
Lakota East – softball – vs. Gahanna Lincoln at 12:30 p.m.
Lakota East – baseball – vs. Independence at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 7

Lakota West – baseball – vs. Kings at 11 a.m.
Lakota West – softball – vs. Gahanna Lincoln at 12 p.m.
Lakota East – softball – vs. Mt. Notre Dame at 12:30 p.m.
Lakota West – baseball – vs. Kings at 1 p.m.
Lakota East – softball – vs. Bloom Carroll at 2:30 p.m.
Lakota West – softball – vs. Glen Este at 4 p.m.

Game dates and times are subject to change. Please contact school directly to confirm.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota athletic weekly recap, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East boys' volleyball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota sports schedule, Lakota sports weekly, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West boys' volleyball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports, Michael Conrad, Michael Conrad Cincinnati, Michael Conrad Lakota East, Mike Conrad

Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows (#75) prepares to block in a game against Winton Woods in 2011. Through March 30, 2012, the 6-foot-5 295-pound Meadows has 12 scholarship offers to play college football. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Lakota West junior offensive lineman Kyle Meadows is scheduled to visit Georgia today, according to Mike Dyer of the Cincinnati.com website The Recruiting Trail.

Meadows, who is 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, is expected to watch practice at Georgia today, Lakota West head coach Larry Cox told Dyer.

Meadows also visited Florida State this week. Cox told Dyer that he really liked his visit.

“They did a great job of making him feel welcomed and wanted at Florida State,” Cox said. “There is a strong family atmosphere there and they made him feel a part of it.”

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Lakota West football news from WestChesterBuzz.com
• Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows video highlights

Meadows has 12 offers from schools to play college football including, Purdue, North Carolina State, Florida State, Akron, Illinois, Louisville, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Toledo, West Virginia and Youngstown State.

According to Cox, Meadows has also attracted the interest of other big-time programs like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Meadows has also visited the University of Cincinnati and plans to visit Ohio State soon.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Akron football, Florida State football, Florida State football recruiting, Georgia football, Illinois football, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Kyle Meadows video highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Louisville football, Michigan football, Michigan State football, N.C. State football, Northern Illinois football, Ohio football, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Pittsburgh football, Purdue football, Toledo football, West Virginia football, Youngstown State football

Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows (#75) prepares to block in a game against Winton Woods in 2011. Through March 30, 2012, the 6-foot-5 295-pound Meadows has 12 scholarship offers to play college football. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

North Carolina State University and Purdue University offered Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows this week, according to Lakota West head coach Larry Cox.

The 6-foot-5 295-pound lineman now has 12 offers from schools to play college football including Florida State, Akron, Illinois, Louisville, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Toledo, West Virginia and Youngstown State.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Lakota West football news from WestChesterBuzz.com
• Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows video highlights

According to Cox, Meadows has also attracted the interest of other big-time programs like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Next week, Meadows is scheduled to visit Florida State. The following week, he will visit Ohio State.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Akron football, Florida State football, Florida State football recruiting, Georgia football, Illinois football, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Kyle Meadows video highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Louisville football, Michigan football, Michigan State football, N.C. State football, Northern Illinois football, Ohio football, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Pittsburgh football, Purdue football, Toledo football, West Virginia football, Youngstown State football

University of Louisville tight end Josh Chichester made great strides of accomplishing his “ultimate goal” of playing professional football during the school’s pro day Wednesday.

According to his former high school coach, Lakota West’s Larry Cox, Chichester measured out at 6-foot-6 235 pounds, had a vertical jump that cleared 37 inches and turned in a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds in front of representatives of 20 NFL teams.

In comparison, his 40-yard time would have tied him for the third place among tight ends during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in late February. Furthermore, his 37-inch vertical was better than any jump turned in by tight end at the Combine.

Lakota West grad Josh Chichester catches a touchdown pass for Louisville during a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats Oct. 24, 2009. Photo taken by Ernest Coleman.

Out of high school, Chichester’s athletic ability on both the football field and on the basketball court attracted the attention of many Division I programs. He was actually close to playing football at Ohio State, until the Buckeyes took away their offer. Other schools, Chichester seriously considered for both sports, included Purdue, Illinois, Tennessee and Pittsburgh, to name a few.

“Josh was a tremendous athlete, he had Division I basketball offers as well as football offers,” Cox said. “But he has always, really loved football and that has always been a passion for him.”

Chichester passion for football led him to sign with U-of-L and head coach Bobby Petrino, who left for the Atlanta Falcons job before Chichester participated in a single practice. Chichester described the coaching change as “a tough time” for him and the other recruits. However, he has enjoyed playing for head coach Steve Kragthorpe (hired in 2007 and fired in November of 2009) and for current head coach Charlie Strong.

Meanwhile, his basketball career at U-of-L lasted one year when he averaged 1.8 points in six games for U-of-L head coach Rick Pitino in 2007-2008.

“My ultimate goal is to play professional football,” Chichester said. “As I grew older and wiser, I realized…I couldn’t worry about being a dual-sport athlete, so I decided to drop basketball.”

Chichester was also a dual-position player for the Cardinals in 2010, splitting time between tight end and wide receiver. Out of high school, he was recruited only as a wide receiver.

“Playing tight end never came up until last year (2010) when I was bigger, faster, stronger, which I had to be in order to play the position,” Chichester said. “The transition was not as difficult as I thought it would be. The difficult part was learning the proper blocking techniques and schemes.

“I hope it helps me (reach the NFL), but I was determined to play wide receiver or any other position to help our team.”

In his four-year career, Chichester had 97 receptions for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also graduated from Louisville with a degree in justice administration in 2010. This past season, Chichester was working on his master’s degree.

According to Cox, due to his performance Wednesday, Chichester has been invited to a regional combine in Detroit in late March. The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place April 26-28.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Bobby Petrino, Charlie Strong, Illinois, Josh Chichester, Josh Chichester football, Josh Chichester images, Josh Chichester Louisville, Josh Chichester NFL Combine, Josh Chichester NFL Draft, Josh Chichester photos, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Louisville Pro Day, NFL Combine, Ohio State, photo gallery, photos, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rick Pitino, Steve Kragthorpe, Tennessee, West Chester photos

Lakota West senior Josh Kinney runs with the football during a game against Winton Woods at Nippert Stadium Aug. 27, 2011. High school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Junior high athletes are paying $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago. Fees were raised due to cuts before the 2011-2012 school year. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Michael D. Clark reports (more information from story reported earlier)

Officials from the financially struggling Lakota schools were no-shows Tuesday at an event where an anti-tax group pledged to give needy students $10,000 to help them pay for sports fees.

Leaders of NoLakota announced a donation fund they plan to distribute to the families of student athletes unable to pay participation fees and then criticized Lakota officials for not attending their press conference.

The school system is facing a nearly $11 million projected budget shortfall and considering sweeping cuts in student services and personnel for next school year.

Lakota officials said they had no knowledge of the NoLakota news conference.

“The Lakota district always appreciates support for children in our community. A week ago, a district representative asked this group to submit a proposal for its idea. We’re still waiting for it,” said Elliot Grossman, spokesman for Lakota Schools. “We learned about the news conference 24 minutes before it was to start.”

Rich Hoffman, spokesman for NoLakota, which was instrumental in helping defeat three school tax hikes in the last two years, attributed the absence of district officials to “a lack of communication on their end.”

He said his group had communications with Lakota about the formation of “Yes To Lakota Kids” program, which unveiled a website Tuesday for Lakota parents interested in applying for money to pay sports fees. Information can be found at yes-to-lakota-kids.org .

NoLakota is the first anti-school-tax group in Southwest Ohio to raise money from imembers to offset fee costs in a public school district. Lakota high school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Those in grades seven and eight pay $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago.

Posted in: Fall sports, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, No Lakota, No Lakota levy, NoLakota, NoLakota Levy, Rich Hoffman

Lakota West players celebrate after beating Mason in penalty kicks in a district final match Oct. 29, 2011. High school athletes pay $550 per sport, up from $300 a year ago. Junior high athletes are paying $350 per sport, compared to $200 a year ago. Fees were raised due to cuts before the 2011-2012 school year. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Michael D. Clark reports

For the first time in Greater Cincinnati, anti-school tax activists who campaign against school tax hikes now plan to raise money for needy students.

The Enquirer has learned that the anti-school tax group NoLakota has approached Lakota school officials about creating a fund to help student athletes and their families pay for the high participation fees of recent years.

The tax opposition group has been instrumental in defeats of Lakota’s last three school tax hike issues in the last two years.

But unlike similar anti-school tax groups in some other area suburban districts, NoLakota is now in a privately funded $10,000 partnership to help students pay for higher school sports fees, says the group’s founder Rich Hoffman.

Hoffman and other tax opponents have long contended that Lakota’s teachers and their union should be taking the brunt of recent budget cuts through pay cuts rather than eliminating student services and upping sports fees.

“It’s obvious that the greatest casualty in these three levy fights has been the kids, and that’s really unfortunate,” says Hoffman of the “Yes to Lakota Kids” program to be publicly unveiled later Tuesday. (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota elementary cuts, Lakota high school cuts, Lakota junior high cuts, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota preschool, Lakota preschool cuts, Lakota preschool program, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, No Lakota, No Lakota levy, NoLakota, NoLakota Levy, Rich Hoffman

Lakota West takes the field before facing Elder Sept. 2, 2011. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber of WestChesterBuzz.com.

For the second straight year, the Lakota West football program will be selling mulch during its annual spring fundraiser. Community members can support the football program by purchasing mulch online or through the school’s athletic office starting today through Sunday, March 25.

There are four types of mulches to choose from during Lakota West’s Mulch Madness fundraiser including dark hardwood supreme, cypress grade a, red dyed and black dyed. The cost is $3.95 per bag (two cu. ft.).

Customers, who buy at least 10 bags of mulch, will receive free delivery April 27-28. To receive delivery, customers must live within the Lakota school district. Customers can also arrange to pick up the mulch.

To purchase mulch, visit www.firebirdvictorybellclub.org. Order forms can also be dropped off at the Lakota West Athletic Office, returned to any current Lakota West football player or mailed to Lakota West High School, Athletic Office, 8940 Union Centre Blvd., West Chester, OH 45069.

All checks should be made payable to “Firebird Victory Bell Club.”

All of the proceeds from Mulch Madness will benefit the Lakota West football program.

For more information, including order forms, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Events, Fall sports, School events, Sports |

Tags: Tags: football mulch sale fundraiser, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football fundraiser, Lakota West football mulch sale fundraiser, Lakota West Mulch Madness, Lakota West sports

Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows (#75) prepares to block in a game against Winton Woods in 2011. Through March 1, 2012, the 6-foot-5 295-pound Meadows has 10 scholarship offers to play college football. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Florida State, which had the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class in 2012 according to ESPN, offered Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows Thursday night, according to Lakota West head coach Larry Cox.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Lakota West football news from WestChesterBuzz.com
• Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows video highlights

The Seminoles are the seventh Division I football program to offer Meadows this week. Other scholarship offers that the 6-foot-5 295-pound lineman has received this offseason include Akron, Illinois, Louisville, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Toledo, West Virginia and Youngstown State.

According to Cox, Meadows has also attracted the interest of other big-time programs like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Akron football, Florida State football, Florida State football recruiting, Georgia football, Illinois football, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Kyle Meadows video highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Louisville football, Michigan football, Michigan State football, Northern Illinois football, Ohio football, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Pittsburgh football, Toledo football, West Virginia football, Youngstown State football

Mike Dyer of The Recruiting Trail blog on Cincinnati.com is reporting that Lakota West junior linebacker Mike Kelly is receiving interest from Ivy League football programs that include Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Cornell.

Lakota junior Mike Kelly and senior Blake Bell try to sack Winton Woods QB Gary Underwood during a game Aug. 27, 2011. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

Dyer is also reporting that Kelly has received interest from The University of Akron and Northern Illinois University.

Kelly, who was fourth on the team in tackles for loss in 2011, is the brother of Lakota West graduate and University of Alabama offensive lineman Ryan Kelly.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Lakota West football news from WestChesterBuzz.com
• Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows video highlights
• Lakota West LB Mike Kelly video highlights

In 2011, Mike Kelly was sixth on the team with 38 total tackles. He also had 10 tackles for loss and an interception.

Meadows adds another offer: Dyer also recently reported on his blog that junior offensive lineman Kyle Meadows added an offer from Northern Illinois. The offer is Meadows’ sixth this week and ninth this offseason. The 6-foot-5 295-pound offensive tackle also has offers from Akron, Illinois, West Virginia, Ohio, Toledo, Louisville, Youngstown State and Pittsburgh.

Interested in playing fall sports? - The Lakota West football program will be hosting a meeting Thursday for all students who are interested in playing football next season for Plains Junior, Ridge Junior, Lakota West Freshman and Lakota West High School varsity and junior varsity teams. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the gym at Lakota West High School. There will also be a similar meeting for parents and student athletes, who are currently in grades 8-11, interested in playing boys’ soccer for the Firebirds Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at Lakota West High School. For more information, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Kyle Meadows video highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Mike Kelly, Mike Kelly football recruiting, Mike Kelly Lakota West, Mike Kelly video highlights, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football

Lakota West offensive lineman Kyle Meadows (#75) prepares to block in a game against Winton Woods in 2011. Through Feb. 29, 2012, the 6-foot-5 295-pound Meadows has eight scholarship offers to play college football.

It has been a big week for Lakota West junior offensive lineman Kyle Meadows. The 6-foot-5 295-pound offensive lineman was offered football scholarships Tuesday night from The University of Akron, University of Illinois and West Virginia University.

In all, Meadows has received five scholarship offers this week and eight this offseason. Those offers include Ohio University, University of Toledo, University of Louisville, Youngstown State University and University of Pittsburgh.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog with Mike Dyer
• Lakota West football news from WestChesterBuzz.com
• Lakota West OL Kyle Meadows video highlights

According to Lakota West head football coach Larry Cox, Meadows has also attracted the attention of Florida State, Bowling Green, Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Ohio State, Michigan State, Alabama and Georgia. He even attracted the attention of new Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, who attended a Lakota West junior varsity basketball game in January.

Interested in playing fall sports? - The Lakota West football program will be hosting a meeting Thursday for all students who are interested in playing football next season for Plains Junior, Ridge Junior, Lakota West Freshman and Lakota West High School varsity and junior varsity teams. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the gym at Lakota West High School. There will also be a similar meeting for parents and student athletes, who are currently in grades 8-11, interested in playing boys’ soccer for the Firebirds Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at Lakota West High School. For more information, visit westfirebirds.com.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alabama football, Bowling Green football, Cincinnati football, Florida State football, Florida State University football, Georgia football, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Meadows, Kyle Meadows football recruiting, Kyle Meadows Lakota West, Kyle Meadows video highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Larry Cox, Louisville football, Miami football, Michigan football, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Pittsburgh football, Toledo football, Urbana football, Urbana University