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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

Both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools will host special signing ceremonies Wednesday on National Signing Day to honor student athletes that will be playing sports in college. WestChesterBuzz.com will post updates, stories and pictures throughout the day.

At Lakota East Wednesday morning, 15 student athletes in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track will be honored.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, also Wednesday morning, Lakota West will host a signing event for football players. Currently, six seniors have verbally committed to college including Dawson Fletcher (Indiana University), defensive end Blake Bell (University of California, Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay), offensive lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College).

That group, along with running back Marcus Davis, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker can officially sign with their school of choice Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Greater Miami Conference will hold its annual football signing press conference at 1 p.m. at the Wingate Inn/Meridian Conference Center, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., in West Chester. The event is open to the public.

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country – Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (cross country – Mount St. Joseph).

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (volleyball – Northern Kentucky University).

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

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

National Signing Day, which will take place Wednesday, marks the first day high school football and soccer players can sign letters of intent. Many high schools across the country, like Lakota East and Lakota West, will host special signing ceremonies throughout the week.

Lakota East will honor 15 student athletes during a special ceremony Wednesday morning in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track.

Lakota West will host a signing event for football players Wednesday morning as well. Meanwhile, soccer and cross country athletes will be recognized at a ceremony Thursday afternoon.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country (Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (Mount St. Joseph).

In football, Lakota West could have up to 10 players sign Wednesday including linebacker Jordan Darland, defensive end Blake Bell, running back Marcus Davis, safety Dawson Fletcher, offensive lineman Beau Odom, wide receiver Bubba Williams, linebacker Cole Stalker, safety Antonio Darden, cornerback Peair Foster and offensive lineman Neil Recker.

Of that group, only Fletcher has announced where he will be playing football in college. The senior safety, who will be attending Indiana University, was second on the team in tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (Northern Kentucky University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

The Greater Miami Conference has honored 13 student athletes from the Lakota school district for their play on the football field this fall.

The conference released the names of its All-GMC teams in volleyball, soccer, cross country, golf and tennis earlier this month.

Senior defensive end Blake Bell, senior defensive back Dawson Fletcher and offensive guard Beau Odom, all from Lakota West, were named to the All-GMC First Team.

• Lakota fall sports athletes named to All-GMC team
• Lakota West wins thriller at Lakota East 25-20

Lakota West classmates senior linebacker Jordan Darland, senior running back Marcus Davis, senior offensive tackle Neil Recker, senior wide receiver Kayaune Ross and senior wide receiver Bubba Williams were honored as All-GMC Second Team members.

Also named to the All-GMC Second Team, from Lakota East, were senior defensive lineman Tim Bowman, junior linebacker Jake Chestnut, sophomore kicker Nick Gasser, sophomore fullback Mikel Horton and senior defensive back Joey Postlethwait.

Both Lakota football teams finished 2-5 in conference play this fall. Lakota East (6-4) finished with the better overall record, but lost to Lakota West (3-7) in the final game of the season.

(Photos are of Lakota West student athletes Blake Bell, Dawson Fletcher and Beau Odom, who were all named to the All-GMC First Team)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Bubba Williams, Dawson Fletcher, Jake Chestnut, Joey Postlethwait, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Mikel Horton, Neil Recker, Nick Gasser, Tim Bowman

The Lakota West Firebirds (1-4 overall, 0-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) will be underdogs when they visit Middletown (4-1 overall, 1-1 in the GMC) this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lakota West’s only win this fall came at Anderson (20-14). The Firebirds have losses vs. Winton Woods (27-21), vs. Elder (35-10), at Princeton (27-21) and vs. Oak Hills (25-21). Meanwhile, the Middies only loss came last Thursday night against Colerain (21-13). Middletown also has wins against Wayne (32-31), at Troy (29-21), vs. Winton Woods (21-14) and at Oak Hills (46-13).

Lakota West: The Firebirds have suffered back-to-back losses to conference opponents after having fourth quarter leads in each game. Offensively, led by senior running back Marcus Davis, Lakota West has some firepower. Davis has already rushed for 654 yards (second most in the GMC) and two touchdowns on 128 carries this fall. The senior is averaging more than 130 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones has thrown for 686 yards (second most in the GMC) and eight touchdowns (second most in the GMC). The first-year starter also leads the conference in interceptions with six. Jones’ top targets are seniors Bubba Williams (11 rec. 159 yards and 1 TD) and Kayaune Ross (8 rec. 193 yards and 4 TDs). Defensively, Lakota West has 10 sacks, six forced fumbles (recovering four) and has two interceptions this fall. As a team, Lakota West is averaging 267 yards of offense per game and is allowing 350 yards per game on defense.

Middletown: The Middies feature many big names; including one on the sidelines in head coach Troy Everhart. Middletown’s new coach previously led Winton Woods for 11 years and led the Warriors to a Division II state championship in 2009. He also served as the coordinator of recruiting services at the University of Cincinnati. On the field, Middletown features one of the region’s most-recruited players in junior quarterback Jalin Marshall. According to Yahoo! Sports, Marshall has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and UCLA. This season, Marshall has rushed for 625 yards (third most in the GMC), thrown for 385 yards and has nine total touchdowns. Marshall’s senior teammates running back E.J. Junior (offer from Cincinnati), defensive back Cody Quinn (Illinois commit) and wide receiver Zach Edwards (offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Cincinnati and Miami) have also garnered attention from Division I college programs. Defensively, senior linebacker Jaylen Herring leads Middletown with four sacks. As a team, Middletown is averaging 359 yards per game on offense and is allowing 246 yards per game on defense.

Bottom line: While Lakota West has played much better than its 1-4 record indicates, it should have trouble keeping up with all the talent on Middletown. To make matters worse, Middletown is coming off its first loss of the season. Both teams have their similarities on offense, featuring mobile quarterbacks, a workhorse running back and a pair of playmakers at wide receiver. That being said, Lakota West has the ability to pull off an upset. However, when comparing the two teams’ only common opponent, the chances appear to be slim for Lakota West. The Firebirds lost to Oak Hills last Friday at home by the score of 25-21, while Middletown defeated Oak Hills on the road two weeks ago by the score of 46-13.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Bubba Williams, Cincinnati football recruiting, Cody Quinn, E.J. Junior, football, game preview, Jalin Marshall, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Middletown football, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Tyler Jones, Zach Edwards

Led by sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones’ three-touchdown performance, Lakota West was able to win its first game of the season when it defeated Anderson by the score of 20-16 Friday.

Trailing 16-13 in the fourth quarter, Jones connected with senior running back Marcus Davis (photo) on a 31-yard touchdown pass to make the score 20-16 with 4:43 left to play.

Jones completed 10-of-22 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in the win. He also rushed for 22 yards on 10 carries.

Davis finished with 76 yards on 34 carries.

Defensively, the Firebirds had eight sacks and forced two turnovers.

Junior wide receiver Jared Cook helped to keep Anderson in the game. Trailing 13-0, Cook took a pass from senior quarterback Nick Mason 69 yards for the touchdown. That led to 16-point unanswered points for the Redskins. For the game, Cook finished with 159 yards on eight receptions.

With the win, Lakota West improves to 1-2. Anderson falls to 0-3.

Next up for the Firebirds is a road game at Princeton (3-0) next Friday at 7:30 p.m. Anderson will be at Turpin (1-1) next Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Lakota West 0 13 0 7 – 20
Anderson 0 0 9 7 – 16

L– Bubba Williams 14-yard pass from Jones (kick failed) – 9:17 in second quarter
L– Kayuane Ross 36-yard pass from Jones (Justin Martin kick) – 4:55 in second quarter
A– Cook 69-yard pass from Mason (Chris Kaylor kick) – 8:19 in third quarter
A– Team Safety – 7:12 in third quarter
A– Brandon Satterfield 4-yard run (Kaylor kick) – 11:48 in fourth quarter
L– Davis 31-yard pass from Jones (Martin kick) – 4:43 in fourth quarter

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Anderson, Anderson football, Bubba Williams, football, Kamel Bradley, Kayuane Ross, Kyle Payne, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Nick Mason, Tyler Jones

Lakota West and Winton Woods participated in the Skyline Chili Crossdown Showdown at Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati Saturday. The Firebirds couldn’t handle the Winton Woods rushing attack, which totaled 324 yards in a 27-21 win over Lakota West.

>>>PHOTOS OF THE LAKOTA WEST VS. WINTON WOODS GAME<<<

Winton Woods senior running back Aaron Kemper, who was co-athlete of the year in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference last season, finished the game with 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Meanwhile, Lakota West head coach Larry Cox decided on Wednesday that he was going to start sophomore Tyler Jones at quarterback in the season opener. Jones, who was making his first varsity appearance, struggled at times, but also led the Firebirds on three touchdown-scoring drives.

>>>GAME STORY: WINTON WOODS 27, LAKOTA WEST 21<<<

There are also many other great moments captured on our Flickr photostream. And more West Chester and Liberty Township related photo galleries on our Photos page.

Also, remember to share your photos through the Photos page.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aaron Kemper, Bubba Williams, Gary Underwood, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Marques Graves, photo gallery, photos, Tyler Jones, Tyler Williams, West Chester photos, Winton Woods, Winton Woods football

Lakota West held the Winton Woods triple-option rushing attack to only 34 yards in the first quarter, but allowed 290 rushing yards in the final three in what turned out to be a 27-21 loss against the Warriors Saturday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.

“The option is an offense like that. You just have to stick with it and then the holes will open up and their guys will get tired. That is exactly what we wanted to do,” Winton Woods head coach Andre Parker said.

“West had a good game plan, but we knew if we just stuck to our guns, eventually we would wear them down.”

Doing much of the wearing down was senior running back Aaron Kemper, who finished with 139 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Kemper, who was co-athlete of the year in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference last season, was also responsible for running out the last four minutes of the game to preserve the victory.

“Kemper is a rock,” Parker said. “He is the rock of our whole team.”

While the 5-foot-7, 208-pound Kemper took hand offs up the middle, his senior teammate Marques Graves scored on rushing plays of 27 and 28 yards off pitches to the outside. Graves finished the game with 58 yards on five carries.

Winton Woods senior quarterback Gary Underwood added 109 rushing yards on 24 carries.

Winton Woods did fall behind early, however, as Lakota West scored on its first drive of the game. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones, who was making his first varsity start, capped off a 10-play 50-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The drive included a 15-yard pass from Jones to senior H-back Josh Kinney on a fourth-and-eight.

The young quarterback did struggle with his center, as the Firebirds surrendered two safeties on snaps that went into the end zone in the second quarter.

Lakota West did receive the benefit of a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter when sophomore wide receiver Tyler Williams fell onto the ball after a fumble by West senior Marcus Davis.

When it looked like the Firebirds would go into the half with a 14-4 lead, Kemper rumbled 36 yards on a run play that went for a touchdown with 35 seconds left in the second quarter.

Lakota West tried to come back after falling behind 27-14 in the fourth quarter. Jones made it a six-point game when he threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Bubba Williams with 3:58 to go in the game.

The Firebirds kicked it deep after the score, but couldn’t stop Kemper as he finished off Lakota West and the clock.

The Warriors (1-0) will host Lakota East (1-0) Friday, Sept. 2, while Lakota West (0-1) will host Elder (1-0) on the same night.

!LW– Tyler Jones 1-yard run (Martin kick)

!WW– Safety (Lakota West bad snap – Jones falls on ball in EZ)

!WW– Safety (Lakota West bad snap – ball snapped through EZ)

!LW– Tyler Williams FR in EZ after Marcus Davis F at 10 yl

!WW– Aaron Kemper 36-yard run (kick blocked)

!WW– Marques Graves 28-yard run (Lewis kick)

!WW– Marques Graves 27-yard run (Lewis kick)

!WW– Robbie Lewis 43-yard field goal

!LW– Jones 7-yard pass to Williams (Martin kick)

(story will be updated Sunday with photo gallery from game and quotes from Lakota West head coach Larry Cox)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aaron Kemper, Bubba Williams, Gary Underwood, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Marques Graves, Tyler Jones, Tyler Williams, Winton Woods, Winton Woods football