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Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher officially signed to play football at Indiana University Feb. 1, 2012 on National Signing Day. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Unlike Lakota East, Lakota West High School hosts numerous signing ceremonies throughout the academic calendar. So far, there have been 32 seniors at Lakota West who have signed on to continue their athletic careers in college.

At Lakota East, there have been a total of 26 seniors recognized at two different signing day events in 2012.

Here is a list of all the Lakota West students who will be playing sports in college:

• Ali Zieverink – Shawnee State (basketball)
• Adrianna McNeal – Southwestern (basketball)
• Rachel Mills – Alderson Broddus Illinois College ((basketball)
• Summer Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Shabazz Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Jordan Darland – Olivet Nazarene (football)
• Blake Bell – California (PA.) (football)
• Dawson Fletcher – Indiana University (football)
• Cole Stalker – University of Findlay (football)
• Beau Odom – Georgetown College (football)
• Kayaune Ross – Fort Scott Community College (football)
• Bubba Williams – Lindsey Wilson (football)
• Evan Hodel – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Zach Crabtree – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Ali Green – Ashland (golf)
• Kim Love – Purdue University (soccer)
• Kelly Mack – Wright State (soccer)
• Lauren Pratt – Ohio Dominican (soccer)
• Malik Zuberi – Shawnee State (baseball)
• Zak Farmer – Walsh University (baseball)
• Davis Schafer – Bellarmine University (baseball)
• Mike Seaman – Trine University (baseball)
• Nick Billman – Mount St. Joseph (baseball)
• Jake Wagner – Miami-Hamilton (baseball)
• Amanda Lahti -  Ohio Northern (softball)
• Brooke Rowley – Lake Forest College (swimming)
• Brady Holmer – NKU (cross country)
• Amanda Shelby – Mount St. Joseph (cross country)
• Nathan Haynes – Navy (cross country)
• Mel Stewart – NKU (volleyball)
• Corri Muha – Georgetown College (volleyball)
• Nick Bloch – Lake Erie College (wrestling)

WestFirebirds.com, the school’s official athletic website, posts photos and details after signing ceremonies take place.

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

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Green, Ali Zieverink, Amanda Lahti, Amanda Shelby, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Brooke Rowley, Bubba Williams, Cincinnati football recruiting, Cole Stalker, Corri Muha, Davis Schafer, Dawson Fletcher, Evan Hodel, Jake Wagner, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Pratt, Malik Zuberi, Mel Stewart, Mike Seaman, Nathan Haynes, Nick Billman, Nick Bloch, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Rachel Mills, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Zach Crabtree, Zak Farmer

Lakota West fell to Sycamore by the score of 68-52 Saturday. It was the 14^th straight win for the Aves, who are currently in first place in the Greater Miami Conference.

The Aves jumped out to a 31-20 halftime lead. Lakota West failed to make up any ground in the second half.

Senior guard Chloe Pavlech, who will continue her career at the University of Maryland, led all scorers with 19 points. Her classmate, senior Alexis Newbolt, added 18 points for the Aves.

Meanwhile, senior Adrianna McNeal led Lakota West with 14 points. Junior Emily Niehaus and freshman Lauren Cannatelli each added 11 points in the loss.

In its next game, Lakota West will host rival Lakota East (11-5 overall, 8-3 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Sycamore will also have a home game Wednesday night when it will host Colerain (11-5 overall, 7-4 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m.

Sycamore 68, Lakota West 52

Lakota West (9-7, 5-6 in the GMC) — Niehaus 4 0 11, Zieverink 3 1 7, Shabazz Reeves 1 0 2, Cannatelli 4 0 11, Carter 1 0 2, Summer Reeves 2 1 5, McNeal 5 4 14. Totals: 20 6 52.

Sycamore (16-1, 10-1 in the GMC) — Newbolt 3 11 18, Locke 1 0 2, Kleist 4 2 11, Pavlech 6 2 19, Outlaw 3 2 8, Hancher 2 3 8, Burns 1 0 2. Totals: 20 20 68.

Halftime: Sycamore 31-20. 3-Pointers: S 8 (Pavlech 5, Newbolt, Kleist, Hancher); L 6 (Niehaus 3, Cannatelli 3)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Alexis Newbolt, Chloe Pavlech, Emily Niehaus, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lauren Cannatelli, Maryland basketball, Sycamore basketball

Lakota West won its second straight conference game when it defeated Fairfield by the score of 71-40 Saturday. The Firebirds’ 71-point total was a season high.

As a team, Lakota West made 52 percent of its field goals. Four Firebirds, senior Ali Zieverink (13 points, 7 rebounds), Lauren Cannatelli (10 points, 4 steals), Summer Reeves (10 points, 3 assists) and Adrianna McNeal (15 points, 4 steals) scored in double figures.

Meanwhile, junior Kaitlyn Mueller led Fairfield with a career high 13 points.

Lakota West will be back in action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when it visits Oak Hills (2-11 overall, 1-7 in the Greater Miami Conference). Fairfield will be in action at the same time Wednesday when it visits Lakota East (9-5 overall, 6-3 in the GMC).

Lakota West 71, Fairfield 40

Fairfield (4-10, 1-8 in the GMC) – Butler 2 0 5, Stewart 1 0 2, Jones 1 2 4, Ford 2 0 6, Mueller 5 0 13, Spaulding 1 0 3, Williams 1 0 2, James 1 0 2, Ricks 1 0 2, Rhodes 0 1 1. Totals 15 3 40.

Lakota West (8-6, 4-5 in the GMC) – Zieverink 5 3 13, Huxhold 0 2 2, Cannatelli 4 0 10, Mills 1 0 2, Tomasic 2 0 4, Sh. Reeves 1 0 2, Carter 2 1 5, Niehaus 3 0 8, Su. Reeves 4 2 10, McNeal 6 3 15. Totals 28 11 71.

Halftime: Lakota West 32-14. 3-pointers: F 7 (Butler, Ford 2, Mueller 3, Spaudling). LW 4 (Cannatelli 2, Niehaus 2).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Zieverink, Kaitlyn Mueller, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lauren Cannatelli, Summer Reeves

The Lakota West boys’ basketball program, ranked No. 10 in The Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, lost by the score of 52-39 against Moore (Louisville, Ky.) in the fifth-place game of the Republic Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington Dec. 30.

The loss gave the Firebirds a 2-2 record at the holiday tournament. At the event, Lakota West defeated Simon Kenton (55-40) and Pulaski County (79-70) but lost to Louisville programs Trinity (60-47) and Moore.

Overall, Lakota West is now 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds will play three times this week beginning at Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Lakota West will then host Mason (7-1 overall, 2-1 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will play at Elder (1-5 overall, 0-2 in the Greater Catholic League) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Lakota West girls’ squad split games when it hosted the Holiday Hoops Fest Dec. 28-29. During the event, Lakota West defeated Toledo Central Catholic by the score of 64-54 and lost to St. Ursula by the score of 51-50.

In the win against Toledo Central Catholic, Lakota West senior Summer Reeves led her team with 16 points. She also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Her senior teammate Adrianna McNeal scored 10 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

The Firebirds (6-4 overall, 2-3 in the GMC) – No. 7 in the Enquirer coaches’ poll – are scheduled to play two games this week beginning with a road contest against Princeton (8-0 overall, 5-0 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Lakota West will then host Colerain (6-4 overall, 2-3 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West High School, Lakota West sports, Summer Reeves

Lakota West, which got off to a 4-0 start this winter, lost its first game of the season by the score of 56-48 to Sycamore Saturday.

Sycamore senior guard Chloe Pavlech, who is committed to Maryland, dished out a game-high six assists to go along with eight points to help Sycamore – No. 3 in the Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll – improve to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Greater Miami Conference this season.

Lakota West – not ranked in the Enquirer’s poll – was led by senior center Adrianna McNeal, who finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Lakota West (4-1 overall, 1-1 in the GMC) will play at rival Lakota East (4-0 overall, 2-0 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. That game will be covered by WestChesterBuzz.com.

Box score – Sycamore 56, Lakota West 48

Sycamore (4-1, GMC 2-1) – Newbolt 5 1 13, Locke 2 6 10, Kleist 2 0 4, Pavlech 2 3 8, Outlaw 2 0 4, McDonald 3 2 9, Hancher 2 0 4, Burns 2 0 4. Totals: 20 12 56.

Lakota West (4-1, GMC 1-1) – Zieverink 1 0 2, H. Reeves 1 3 5, Huxhold 3 0 7, Cannatelli 2 0 6, Niehaus 1 0 2, Su. Reeves 3 2 10, McNeal 8 0 16. Totals: 19 5 48.

Halftime: Sycamore 32-23. 3-pointers: S 4 (Newbolt 2, Pavlech, McDonald); L 5 (Su. Reeves 2, Cannatelli 2, Huxhold).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Chloe Pavlech, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Sycamore basketball

In 2008, Ali Zieverink was an eighth grader when she watched her sister, Emma, and her Lakota West teammates play in the state championship game.

Ali, who is now a senior, looked up that team, which featured six seniors who went on to play college basketball. She attended camps and was inspired to make an impact on the high school team herself.

“Being a part of it from the stands made me want to be a part of it on the floor even more,” Zieverink said. “I think with the team we have this year, if we keep working really hard, we can get back there.”

After 10 consecutive winning seasons and two appearances in the state tournament’s final four, Lakota West finished 10-11 overall, 6-8 in the Greater Miami Conference and was ousted in the first round of the postseason last winter.

“We have enough girls that remember the pride of the Lakota West basketball program and that want it to be back in that elite category,” Lakota West head coach Andy Fishman said.

“We don’t get the final four two years in a row because we had girls who were not committed to coming in and diving on the floor everyday. That was something that was definitely missing.”

Fishman is quick to point out that this year’s team is willing fight for each possession, dive for loose balls and play tight defense.

“Every team should be fighters, every year,” Fishman said. “This is the best mentality that we have had in a couple of years. There is more competition in the gym and I think that every player knows that she is an important person, but no more important than anyone else.”

The top returning scorer from last season is senior Summer Reeves, who along with her twin sister Shabazz, signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Morgan State University. Last season, Summer averaged 9.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while Shabazz averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Lakota West will have to start the season without a pair of starters from last season’s team in seniors Bari Schwartz and Adrianna McNeal. Schwartz, who led Lakota West in assists last season, will miss the entire season after suffering an ACL tear during the soccer season. McNeal, on the other hand, is week-to-week with a micro fracture of her tibia.

The Firebirds also lose 2010-2011 starters Ronni Grandison (University of Massachusetts) and Mea Williams (Wilmington College) due to graduation. Claire Koslowski, who was considered by Fishman as the team’s best leader in practice, also graduated and is now playing rugby at the University of Notre Dame.

According to Fishman, this team is well balanced and has a lot of depth. He and his coaching staff are still determining which girls play together well enough to compete for GMC and district championships.

Lakota West will tip off its season when it will hosts Mount Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Zieverink, Andy Fishman, Andy Fishman Lakota West, Bari Schwartz, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves

The Lakota West girls’ basketball program (10-10 overall, 6-8 in the Greater Miami Conference) will begin its postseason tonight, Feb. 17, against Ursuline (14-6 overall, 7-3 in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League) at 6 p.m. at Lakota East High School. The Firebirds enter the contest with the No. 14 seed in the region against Ursuline, who is the No. 6 seed.

No. 15 seed St. Ursula (12-8 overall, 8-2 in GGCL) awaits the winner for a game this Saturday, Feb. 19, at 3:30 p.m. The winner of the St. Ursula matchup will play either No. 10 seed Anderson (15-5 overall, 14-2 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) or No. 13 seed Hughes (15-5 overall, 11-1 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) in the district semifinals.

Overall it has been a difficult year for Lakota West, which had its worst regular season conference record since the 1998-1999 season. The team also heads into the postseason after losing seven of their last nine games.

Prior to that nine-game stretch, the Firebirds went on a seven-game winning streak that lasted from mid-December to mid-January.

Senior Ronni Grandison, who will play basketball at the University of Massachusetts, leads Lakota West. This season, Grandison is averging 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Grandison’s junior teammates Summer Reeves (9.6 points, 3.3 rebounds per game), Adrianna McNeal (6.3 points, 5.8 rebounds per game), Shabazz Reeves (4.2 points, 1.6 steals per game) and Bari Schwartz (4.0 points, 3.0 assists per game) also play big roles for the Firebirds.

Meanwhile, seniors Morgan Donovan (11.2 points, 3.3 steals per game) and Ellie Greiner (9.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks per game) lead Ursuline.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Bari Schwartz, basketball, Ellie Greiner, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Morgan Donovan, playoffs, postseason, Ronni Grandison, sectional playoffs, sectional tournament, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, tournament, Ursuline

Princeton guards Kelsey Mitchell and Shakeira Lang combined to score 46 points in a 65-48 win against Lakota West Jan. 29. With the win, the Vikings improved their overall record to 17-0 and 11-0 within the Greater Miami Conference.

Lakota West actually played the undefeated Vikings close in the first half and trailed 30-23 at halftime. However, Princeton was able to outscore the Firebirds 26-9 in the third quarter.

Mitchell (26 points), who is only freshman, made eight of her 13 field-goal attempts, recorded five assists and three steals in the win. The senior, Lang (20 points), made seven of her 11 field-goal attempts, pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists and had four steals.

Lakota West junior Summer Reeves scored six points and missed a free-throw attempt, which ended her consecutively made free-throw streak at 18. According to westfirebirds.com, 18 ties the school record.

Juniors Bari Schwartz (12 points, three assists) and Adrianna McNeal (nine points, 11 rebounds) led Lakota West.

With the loss, Lakota West falls to 9-8 overall and 5-6 in the GMC.

This upcoming week, the Firebirds will play at Fairfield (9-8 overall, 5-6 in GMC) Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and then at home against Middletown (0-16 overall, 0-11 in GMC) Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.

Picture provided by Mark Ferland/Ferland Fotos. For more photos of other Lakota West athletic events visit ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Bari Schwartz, Kelsey Mitchell, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Princeton, Shakeira Lang, Summer Reeves

Lakota West led at halftime, but lost a low-scoring contest against Col. Northland of Columbus Jan. 15 in the Classic in the Country Challenge in Berlin, Ohio. The final score was 39-29.

The Firebirds held an 18-17 lead at halftime, after outscoring Northland 15-8 in the first quarter. However, Lakota West was outscored 13-4 in the third quarter and couldn’t come back.

Junior forward Adrianna McNeal led the Firebirds with eight points. Junior guard Summer Reeves added seven points for Laktoa West in the loss.

With the loss, Lakota West’s record falls to 8-4 overall and remains 4-3 in the Greater Miami Conference.

The Firebirds will play another game in the Classic in the Country today, Jan. 16, against Wadsworth (just west of Akron).

Lakota West’s next home game will be against Hamilton (3-8 overall, 1-6 in the GMC) Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, basketball, Classic in the Country, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Summer Reeves

It was a busy Saturday for high school varsity basketball in the Lakota school district. Both the boys’ teams were in action, as well as each of the girls’ teams.

Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs were coming off wins on Friday night. The Thunderhawks had defeated Middletown, 67-39, and Lakota West knocked off Fairfield, 52-41.

On Saturday, both programs faced non-conference opponents.

Lakota East defeats Woodward 64-45: The Thunderhawks jumped out an early lead and went into halftime with a 34-11 advantage. Due to the comfortable lead, Lakota East head coach Wally Vickers was able to play 12 different players in the game. Sophomore Stedman Lowry led Lakota East with 15 points, which was a career high. The win improves East’s record to 9-0 overall. Next up for the Thunderhawks will be a road contest against Fairfield Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Elder defeats Lakota West 48-44: The Firebirds built themselves a 32-23 lead against Elder in the third quarter. However, the Panthers went on a 10-1 run to end the quarter and eventually squeaked out a 48-44 victory. Sophomore point guard Ali Barnes led Lakota West with 17 points, which was a career high. Sophomore Monty Boykins added 10 points for Lakota West. With the loss, the Firebirds’ record has fallen to 6-5 overall. Next up for the Firebirds will be a road contest against Oak Hills Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, both the Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball programs continued their winning ways by besting their opponents Saturday. Each moved up in the Greater Miami Conference standings by defeating conference opponents.

Lakota East defeats Oak Hills 65-37: The Thunderhawks won their sixth straight game Jan. 8, when they knocked off Oak Hills by the score of 65-37. Juniors Alyssa Grevenkamp and Whitney Wyckoff each scored 16 points for Lakota East in the win. Sophomore guard Imani Outlaw notched nine assists, which was a career high. Lakota East junior forward Tazzie Shaw missed the game due to an ankle injury. The win improves Lakota East’s record to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the GMC. Next up for the Thunderhawks will be in the Classic in the Country against Hathaway-Brown at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 16 at Berlin High School.

Lakota West defeats Sycamore 42-34: After starting the season 1-3 overall and 0-3 in the GMC, the Firebirds have won seven straight including four straight conference games. Lakota West’s latest win was against one of the GMC leaders in Sycamore. Lakota West won by the score of 42-34. Junior Adrianna McNeal scored eight points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Lakota West. The win improves Lakota West’s record to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the GMC. Next up for the Firebirds will be in the Classic in the Country against Col. Northland at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Berlin High School.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Barnes, Alyssa Grevenkamp, basketball, boys' basketball, Classic in the Country, girls' basketball, Imani Outlaw, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Stedman Lowry, Tazzie Shaw, Whitney Wyckoff