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Oak Hills erased a 19-point second half deficit, but came up short at the buzzer losing 56-47 to Lakota West Tuesday.

After leading Lakota West in scoring down the stretch last season, junior guard Ali Barnes waited until the final minutes of the season opener to get in the scoring column.

With the score tied 42-42 with three minutes to play, Barnes drilled a three pointer. He would later score on a lay up and make two free throws, as the Firebirds ended the game on a 14-5 run.

“When I took the three in the corner it was a little nerve racking. It was my first jumper of the season and it was when the game was tied, they were coming back and the crowd was out of it,” Barnes said.

“It felt good. It was a big shot to make and I just knocked it down.”

It appeared that Firebirds wouldn’t need any late-game heroics after jumping out to 33-14 lead in the third quarter.

Lakota West started to accumulate its big lead when 6-foot-4 senior Kayaune Ross scored 12 first-half points off the bench.

Ross, who entered the game without scoring more than two points in a varsity game, also finished with four rebounds.

Feeding off the energy in the first half, Lakota West began the second half on a 7-0 run.

Battling back, the Highlanders cut the Firebirds’ lead to 38-31 after three-point field goals from seniors Ben Laumann and Jack Pflum late in the third quarter. (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Ben Laumann, Jack Pflum, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West sports photos, Mike Price, Monty Boykins, Oak Hills basketball, Ross, Sean Van Winkle, Sean Van Winkle Lakota West, Tyler Walter, West Chester photos

The Lakota West boys’ basketball team is hoping to bounce back from its first losing season in school history with a group that head coach Sean Van Winkle describes as “young, but experienced.”

“We have a good team,” Van Winkle said. “We are not just going to depend on one single person to do the scoring or the rebounding or the passing. We have a bunch of guys that we feel are decent players and hopefully can carry the load.”

Van Winkle does return 6-foot-4 junior Monty Boykins, who led Lakota West in scoring last season with 12.5 points per game.

“As a team, I believe we are a lot further along than we were last year,” said Boykins, who has collegiate offers from Miami, Toledo, James Madison, Eastern Michigan and Kennesaw State. “We are playing really hard on defense. We are getting better at playing team defense and offense.

“I just want to end the season on a win. I honestly feel that we can make a deep run in the playoffs.”

Besides Boykins, Lakota West returns starting guards junior Ali Barnes and sophomore Tyler Williams, as well as starting forward senior Jackson Blue.

Williams, who like Boykins has earned the attention of the college scouts, averaged 7.1 points per game last season.

“Tyler is very confident this year,” Van Winkle said. “He is one of the best overall guards in the city at his age. He can do a lot of things with the ball and play great defense … we are looking for him to have a really good year.”

Backing up Barnes, who averaged 8.4 points per game, and Williams will be newcomer sophomore Malik Grove.

Grove, who has impressed his coach and his new teammates on the basketball court, actually quit the bowling team this winter after being named the Greater Miami Conference Athlete of Year and rolling a perfect game in the sport as a freshman.

“Malik Grove has been a real surprise. Quite honestly, he is just a heady player,” Van Winkle said.

“He just knows how to play, he understands the game and he is just deceivingly good.”

Other newcomers who are expected to make an impact this season include 6-foot-7 sophomore Tyler Bowling and 210-pound senior Cole Stalker, who sat out last season after transferring from Ross.

“Our team just has a lot of heart this year,” Boykins said. “We play so hard every possession and that is going to take us a long way especially when we have guys coming off the bench who can contribute.”

Lakota West will tip off its season at home against Oak Hills at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Jackson Blue, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Monty Boykins, offer, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Tyler Williams

Winton Woods senior Semaj Christon was nearly perfect in the first half, making eight of his 12 field goal attempts and scoring 17 points in what turned out to be a 79-42 victory against Lakota West in the second round of the Southwest Ohio sectional tournament at Princeton.

For most of the first half, Lakota West kept it close and trailed 32-26 with 2:34 left in the second quarter after freshman Tyler Williams nailed a long jump shot for the Firebirds.

After that bucket, Christon scored nine of his 17 first-half points in what was a 14-0 run to end the first half giving Winton Woods a 46-26 advantage at halftime.

“As a coach, I have to tell myself that I am a coach and not a fan,” Walker said of watching Semaj Christon. “I sit there, sometimes, watching in awe, but Semaj is a pretty poised kid and is definitely going to be a good player here and at the next level.”

Walker said that Christon (photo – click to enlarge) has received interest recently from Georgetown, Iowa and Cincinnati to name a few. Numerous other scouts, including one from Boston College witnessed his latest performance.

>>>PHOTOS: WINTON WOODS VS. LAKOTA WEST<<<

Christon, who finished the game with 18 points, also got his senior teammate and neighbor Dennis Thomas involved. While Christon had five assists and only two turnovers, Thomas added 18 points and six rebounds.

“They have a chemistry that is unmatched by anybody,” said Walker said of the tandem that has shared the same backcourt in AAU for the past nine seasons.

The Warriors’ other seniors were just as impressive, Thomas Owens, who is getting Division I interest from colleges for football, scored five points and pulled down five rebounds, while Dion Dearmond scored a career-high 21 points in the win.

“They all have great chemistry. They all know where the other one is going to be and they are all comfortable with each other,” Walker said. “That is how we play.” (more…)

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, basketball, Boston College, boys' basketball, Cincinnati, Dennis Thomas, Dion Dearmond, Georgetown, Iowa, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Middletown, Mike Walker, Monty Boykins, Sean VanWinkle, Semaj Christon, Thomas Owens, Tyler Williams, University of Cincinnati, Walnut Hills, Winton Woods

Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Lakota East honored a pair of senior basketball players in Jeff Cargill and Jalen Goodwin, while Lakota West honored basketball player Ali Barnes and gymnast Stephanie Powers.

Jeff Cargill is a senior member of the Lakota East boys’ basketball program. Cargill was a big reason why the Thunderhawks were able to capture its first-ever outright Greater Miami Conference title this season. This past weekend, Cargill scored a career-high 10 points in an 80-44 playoff victory against Talawanda. On the season, Cargill has made 58.6 percent of his field goals and is averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Jalen Goodwin is also a senior member the GMC champion Thunderhawks. Goodwin (photo) is third on the team in scoring this season with 8.8 points per game. Against Talawanda, he also scored 10 points. Earlier this month, Goodwin turned in a 17-point performance against Mason and a 15-point performance against Princeton.

Ali Barnes is a sophomore on the Lakota West basketball team. Barnes led his team with a career-high 22 points in the Firebirds’ 59-57 playoff win against Kings over the weekend. In the last four games, Barnes is averaging 17 points. On the season, he ranks third in scoring on Lakota West with an average of 8.4 points per game.

Stephanie Powers is a senior member of the Lakota West gymnastics team. Powers qualified for the state meet by winning the floor exercise and by finishing fifth in the all-around competition at the Southwest Ohio District meet this weekend at Lakota East High School. This will be her third straight trip to the state meet.

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, athletes of the week, basketball, boys' basketball, gymnastics, Jalen Goodwin, Jeff Cargill, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Stephanie Powers

All three of the remaining postseason varsity high school basketball teams won their playoff games Saturday, Feb. 26. In boys’ basketball action, No. 15 seed Lakota West defeated No. 22 seed Kings at Mason by the score of 59-57 and No. 2 seed Lakota East cruised to an 80-44 victory against Talawanda at Lakota West. In girls’ basketball, No. 2 seed Lakota East handled No. 22 Seton 52-35 in the district semifinals.

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA WEST VS. KINGS GAME<<<

Lakota West got out to 34-26 lead at halftime and was able to hold onto the win. Sophomore guard Ali Barnes led all scorers with 22 points. Barnes has been excelling since being moved from point guard to shooting guard and is averaging 17 points in the last four games.

With the win, Lakota West (9-12 overall, 5-9 in the Greater Miami Conference) advances to the next round and will play No. 6 seed Winton Woods (17-3 overall, 14-0 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The Lakota East boys’ program bounced back from its regular season finale loss to Middletown by taking care of Talawanda 80-44. Four different players junior Mark Minch (14 points), senior Jeff Cargill (10 points), Michael Boyd (11 points) and Jalen Goodwin (10 points) scored in double figures for the Thunderhawks.

With the win, Lakota East (20-1 overall, 13-1 in the GMC) advances to the next round and will take on Hughes (1-19 overall, 0-12 in the Cincinnati Metro Conference) Wednesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Princeton.

The Lakota East girls won their second postseason game after losing their last two regular season games. In the Seton win, Alyssa Grevenkamp led Lakota East with 14 points.

With the win, Lakota East (17-5 overall, 10-4 in the GMC) advances to the district finals and will face Fairborn (21-2 overall, 9-1 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference) Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at Harrison.

Picture provided by Mark Ferland/Ferland Fotos. Actual game photos from the Lakota West vs. Kings game played Feb. 26. For more photos of other Lakota West athletic events visit ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Alyssa Grenvenkamp, basketball, Jalen Goodwin, Jeff Cargill, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mark Minch, Michael Boyd, photos

Fairfield revenged a loss to Lakota West in early January by defeating the Firebirds by the score of 59-46 in the season finale for both teams, Feb. 18. With the loss, Lakota West wraps up the regular season with an 8-12 overall record and a 5-9 record within the Greater Miami Conference.

It is the first time in Lakota West’s 14-year existence that it ended the season with a losing record. It was also the first time that the Firebirds had a losing record within the GMC.

The Firebirds open postseason play against No. 22 seed Kings (10-9 overall, 7-8 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) Saturday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. at Mason.

In the loss to Fairfield, sophomore guard Ali Barnes led all scorers with a career-high 18 points. Senior forward Phillip Cook added 10 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, basketball, boys' basketball, Fairfield, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook

Both the Lakota West and Lakota East boys’ basketball programs were given their seed for the 2011 southwest district sectional tournament this past Sunday, Feb. 13, afternoon. Lakota West was given the No. 15 seed, while Lakota East received the No. 2 seed.

Many fans of the Greater Miami Conference were upset to hear that Lakota East, which is currently 19-0 overall and 13-0 in the GMC, was given the No. 2 seed. Opinion from GMC loyalists was that the Thunderhawks’ schedule was much more difficult than that Moeller, who received the No. 1 seed and is currently 18-0 overall and 9-0 in the Greater Catholic League.

“It’s inconsequential,” Lakota East head coach Wally Vickers said of not receiving the top seed. “I knew we would be No. 1 or No. 2 – they are undefeated, we are undefeated – so we absolutely have no feelings about that either way.”

The Thunderhawks will begin postseason play against No. 31 Talawanda (5-13 overall, 3-9 in Fort Ancient Valley Conference) next Saturday, Feb. 26, at Lakota West. The winner plays No. 33 Hughes (1-17 overall, 0-11 in Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) March 2 at 8 p.m. at Princeton. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, basketball, boys' basketball, Jackson Blue, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook, Sean VanWinkle, Wally Vickers, Walter Vickers

Lakota West lost to Middletown at home last night, Feb. 11, after upsetting the Middies on the road earlier this season. This time around, Middletown jumped out to a 26-13 halftime lead and cruised to a 61-45 victory.

Middletown (14-4 overall, 10-3 in Greater Miami Conference) junior Geovonie McKnight (18 points) and freshman Vincent Edwards (19 points) combined to score 37 points in the win. In the loss to Lakota West, McKnight and Edwards only combined to score 18.

Last night, sophomore Monty Boykins did not play for Lakota West. In the earlier season upset of Middletown, he scored 23 points.

Sophomore guard Ali Barnes led Lakota West with 15 points. Senior forward Phillip Cook added 10 points and six rebounds.

With the loss, Lakota West falls to 8-11 overall and 5-8 in the GMC. The Firebirds have now lost seven of their last nine games.

Lakota West will wrap up its regular season on the road at Fairfield (9-9 overall, 5-8 in GMC) Friday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Pictures provided by Mark Ferland/Ferland Fotos. Actual game photos from the Middletown game played Feb. 11. For more photos of other Lakota West athletic events visit ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, boys' basketball, Geovanne McKnight, Geovonie McKnight, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Middletown, Monty Boykins, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook, Vincent Edwards

For the second time this season, Lakota West snapped a multiple-game losing streak with a win against Colerain. Last night, Feb. 8, the Firebirds bounced back from a four-game skid by defeating Colerain by the score of 59-54. Lakota West also snapped a three-game losing streak with a 49-36 win against the Cardinals in December.

In last night’s win, senior Phillip Cook scored the go-ahead basket to make the score 56-54 with 1:05 left in the game. Cook, who has missed six of the past 10 games due to injury, scored 14 points, pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists in the win.

Cook’s teammates, sophomore Ali Barnes (13 points, four steals), freshman Tyler Williams (12 points) and sophomore Monty Boykins (11 points, five rebounds) also scored in double figures in the win.

Sophomores Bryan Porter (13 points, six rebounds) and Deiontay Walters (14 points) led Colerain.

The game featured two ties and seven lead changes.

With the win, Lakota West improves to 8-10 overall and 5-7 in the Greater Miami Conference. With the loss, Colerain falls to 5-12 overall and 2-10 in the GMC.

Lakota West has two games left in the regular season, against Middletown this Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and at Fairfield next Friday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. The sectional playoff draw is scheduled to take place this Sunday, Feb. 13, at Princeton at 2 p.m.

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Bryan Porter, Colerain, Deiontay Walters, Lakota West, Monty Boykins, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook, Tyler Williams

The struggles continue for Lakota West, who has lost of four of its past five games after Friday’s 60-55 loss to Hamilton. In its latest loss, the Firebirds actually led Hamilton 42-40 through three quarters but struggled at the free-throw line (5-of-12) in the final quarter.

Lakota West played without starters Phillip Cook and Ali Barnes, who played through injuries in Tuesday’s loss to rival Lakota East. Freshman Tyler Williams started in place of Barnes and scored a career high 12 points.

Lakota West sophomore Monty Boykins led all scorers with 26 points.

Sophomore Corey Wise and junior Patrick McGuff each contributed 14 points for the Big Blue in their win.

With the win, Hamilton improves to 6-9 overall and 3-6 in the Greater Miami Conference. With the loss, Lakota West falls to 7-8 overall and 4-5 in the GMC.

It doesn’t get any easier for Lakota West next week. On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Firebirds will host Princeton (11-3 overall, 7-2 in GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Then on Friday, Feb. 4, Lakota West will play Mason (12-3 overall, 7-2 in GMC) on the road at 7:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, basketball, boys' basketball, Corey Wise, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Patrick McGuff, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook, Tyler Williams