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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 became the fourth and final varsity basketball team from the Lakota school district to be eliminated from postseason play when it lost by the score of 58-55 to Turpin in a sectional semifinal game in the Division I state basketball tournament Wednesday.

Lakota West's Tyler Williams reacts going into a timeout against Fairfield during a basketball game Jan. 24, 2012. Photo taken by Jeff Swinger.

Helping Turpin hold on was junior guard Connor Grotten, who made a pair of free throws to push the lead to three points with three seconds remaining. Prior to the foul shots, senior forward Adam Boyer blocked a potential game-winning layup by the Firebirds on the other end of the floor.

“They’re a really good team and this win validates what we thought of our team all season,” Turpin coach Brad Cupito told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “We knew we were one of the top teams in the area and are thankful there’s a tournament format that allows us to prove it.”

Turpin sophomore Zach McCormick may have proved to be one of the area’s top sophomores, after finishing with a game-high 23 points. During the season, McCormick averaged 18.7 points per game. According to Rivals.com, he already has a scholarship offer from Duquesne.

Meanwhile, Lakota West junior Monty Boykins led his team with 16 points. Boykins also has an offer from Duquesne, as well as offers from Eastern Michigan, James Madison, Kennesaw State and Miami (Ohio).

His teammates, junior Ali Barnes and sophomore Tyler Williams, also helped the Firebirds keep the game close. Barnes scored 13, while Williams finished with 14.

The loss eliminates the season for the Firebirds, who finish the year with a 15-7 overall record and a 11-3 mark within the Greater Miami Conference. The 15 wins equals the program’s best since the 2006-2007 season and the best record under current head coach Sean Van Winkle.

“In my eight years as a head coach both at Ross and Lakota West I have never had a team improve as much as we did this season in so many different ways,” Van Winkle said. “The true credit goes to the players and assistant coaches for their persistence towards wanting to become a better team.”

Next year, the Firebirds will return their top three scorers in Boykins, Barnes and Williams, but will be without seniors Jackson Blue, Cole Stalker, Kayuane Ross and Caleb Poston.

“This year’s seniors – Jackson Blue, Cole Stalker, Kayuane Ross, and Caleb Poston all represented Lakota West in a very good way,” Van Winkle said. “For our underclassman we will challenge them to continue to work hard and build on this year’s success.”

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Caleb Poston, Cole Stalker, Jackson Blue, Kayuane Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Tyler Williams

A total of seven Lakota West student athletes signed and had their letters of intent faxed to colleges on National Signing Day Wednesday.

“When you have these kids signing out, what a great opportunity for their lives and I am not talking about football. They have all been given an opportunity to give themselves such a step up in life,” Lakota West head coach Larry Cox said.

“Today is about winning and they won through their academics and their athletics. They have proven themselves worthy to the level, which is one step away from the pros, to play football again. How can you not be excited about that?”

Headlining the 2012 Lakota West class of seniors was Indiana University signee Dawson Fletcher, who verbally committed to IU prior to this fall’s high school season.

Fellow senior defensive players lineman Blake Bell (California University of Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay) will also continue their football careers at the next level.

• Video highlights of Lakota West S Dawson Fletcher
• Video highlights of Lakota West DE Blake Bell
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Jordan Darland
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Cole Stalker
• Video highlights of Lakota West DL/OL Beau Odom
• Video highlights of Lakota West WR Bubba Williams
• Video highlights of Lakota West WR Kayaune Ross
• Video highlights of Lakota West RB Marcus Davis

Offensively, lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College), wide receiver Bubba Williams (photo – Lindsey Wilson College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College) will also play football in college.

The 6-foot-3 200-pound Ross provided matchup problems for other teams in the Greater Miami Conference in 2011, averaging 25.6 yards per catch. Overall, Ross finished with 14 catches for 358 yards and six touchdowns. For his play, Ross was named second team all-GMC and earned him attention from many Division I scouts, according to Cox.

“Fort Scott is in the Kansas JUCOs, which is the toughest in the nation,” Cox said. “They will sign out 10-to-12 Division I players per year. He has a great opportunity and he is very humble and grateful for it.”

This week, two former Fort Scott players who went on to sign with the University of South Florida, will be playing in the Super Bowl. Both players, linebacker Jacquian Williams (78 total tackles in 2011 as a rookie) and Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (86 total tackles, 16.5 sacks in 2011), are key contributors on the New York Giants’ defense.

In addition to the signees, according to Cox, Lakota West senior running back Marcus Davis will be a preferred walk-on or possibly a greyshirt at Murray State University. Davis rushed for 1,118 yards in the fall and is third in school history in career rushing yards.

(WestChesterBuzz.com will post a separate story on Dawson Fletcher soon with comments from the IU coaching staff)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Beau Odom, Beau Odom football highlights, Blake Bell, Blake Bell highlights, Cole Stalker, Cole Stalker highlights, Dawson Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher highlights, football videos, Jordan Darland, Jordan Darland highlights, Kayaune Ross, Kayaune Ross football highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football highlights, Lakota West football video, Lakota West sports, Marcu Davis highlights, Marcus Davis, National Signing Day, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football

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

Lakota West defensive end Blake Bell and linebackers Jordan Darland and Cole Stalker verbally committed to play football in college Sunday. Bell decided on the University of California of Pennsylvania, Darland picked Olivet Nazarene University and Stalker chose the University of Findlay.

Bell selected Cal U (California, Penn.) over St. Joseph College (Ind.), University of Indianapolis and Ohio Dominican University. The 6-foot 260-pound defensive end finished the season with a team high 14 tackles for loss, including 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Bell has been named a captain at Lakota West and an all-Greater Miami Conference selection twice. This season, he was selected first team all-GMC and honorable mention all-city by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Meanwhile, Darland chose Olivet Nazarene (Bourbonnais, Ill.) over Malone University, Georgetown College, Duquesne University, among others. The senior, who led the Greater Miami Conference in total tackles with 107, recorded 13 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and forced 5 fumbles in 2011. For his performance, he was named second team all-GMC and an all-city honorable mention by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Jordan Darland
• Video highlights of Lakota West FS Dawson Fletcher



• Video highlights of Lakota West DE Blake Bell
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Cole Stalker

Stalker selected Findlay over St. Joseph’s (Ind.) College, Robert Morris University, Georgetown College and Lindsey Wilson College. Stalker is also on the Lakota West varsity basketball team this season. At linebacker, he was third on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and led the team with 3 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.

Prior to the season, senior safety Dawson Fletcher verbally committed to Indiana University. This past season, Fletcher 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.

All four, along with running back Marcus Davis, offensive lineman Beau Odom, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker could sign with their school of choice Wednesday on National Signing Day.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Blake Bell, Blake Bell highlights, Cole Stalker, Cole Stalker highlights, Dawson Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher highlights, football videos, Jordan Darland, Jordan Darland highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football highlights, Lakota West football video, Lakota West sports, National Signing Day, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football

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