WestChesterBuzz.com

Lakota East and Lakota West basketball players are beginning to receive interest from colleges. Two local athletes, Lakota West’s Monty Boykins and Lakota East’s Whitney Wyckoff, have already received offers.

Boykins, who will be a junior during the 2011-2012 season, most recently received an offer from the University of Toledo, according to Pulse Journal reporter Steven Matthews. Boykins had already received an offer from Miami (Ohio) University prior to the start of his sophomore season.

This past season, Boykins averaged 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Lakota East head coach Nikki Drew confirms offers to senior-to-be Whitney Wyckoff (photo) from Yale University and Loyola University Chicago.

Drew also confirmed that fellow seniors-to-be Alyssa Grevenkamp (Valparaiso and Findlay), Tazzie Shaw (Eastern Kentucky, Marshall and Akron) and Molly Blomer (Austin Peay and Charleston) have received interest from schools.

Statistically, Wyckoff (12.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Grevenkamp (9.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Shaw (9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Blomer (10.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg) all performed well during the 2010-2011 season.

On another note, Lakota East might be able to add Olivia Wrencher to its roster next season. Wrencher, who is a transfer from Lakota West, averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in five games last season as the Firebirds’ center. In 24 games as a sophomore, during the 2009-2010 season, Wrencher scored 4.8 points and pulled down 4.8 rebounds per game.

Wrencher is enrolled at East, but has to be approved by the OHSAA. Drew has declined to comment until a decision has been made, which is expected to take place sometime in July.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alyssa Grevenkamp, boys' basketball, cincyhoops, cincysports, girls' basketball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Molly Blomer, Monty Boykins, Nikki Drew, offer, Olivia Wrencher, recruiting, Tazzie Shaw, Whitney Wyckoff

According to the official athletic site of Florida State University, Seminoles.com, Lakota East assistant girls’ basketball coach Brooke Wyckoff has been hired as an assistant coach at FSU. The university’s women’s head coach Sue Semrau announced the hire this past Tuesday.

“Brooke has been associated with every aspect of women’s basketball,” Semrau told Seminoles.com. “As a player she excelled at every level from college to USA Basketball to the WNBA. As a coach, she has proven to be a strong teacher and has a passion for the defensive end of the floor. Brooke Wyckoff is a rising star in the coaching world.”

This winter, Brooke Wyckoff was named to the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. In her senior year at Lakota High School in 1996-1997, Wyckoff averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, five steals and four blocks per game. She was also named All-GMC First Team three times, Butler County Player of the Year three times and All-Ohio First Team twice during her high school career.

Wyckoff also competed in volleyball, basketball and track at Lakota and holds school records for blocked shots and in the 400-meter and 800-meter runs in track.

At FSU, Wyckoff scored 1,350 career points (10th most in school history), pulled down 804 rebounds (sixth most in school history) and blocked 209 shots (second most in school history).

After her senior season at FSU, Brooke was named to the All-ACC First Team and was selected 26th overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Orlando Miracle. She went onto play nine seasons in the WNBA before returning to her hometown to help coach Lakota East before the start of last season.

“I am thrilled to be back with the Florida State University women’s basketball program,” Wyckoff told Seminoles.com. “My experience here as a player was the springboard for so many wonderful opportunities over the last 10 years and it is an honor to come full circle and take the next step in my basketball career; this time as a coach.”

For Lakota East, Wyckoff coached the 2009-2010 junior varsity team and was a varsity assistant in 2010-2011 under head coach Nikki Drew, who played against Wyckoff in high school.

“From a playing standpoint, she was hard to guard because she was a mismatch for most guards (Wyckoff is 6-foot-2). Brooke could see over traps, shoot over most and definitely had a versatile arsenal. You never knew what she was going to do,” said Drew, who starred at Mercy High School before playing at Xavier University. “The best thing about Brooke though, it was never about her, it was the team’s success that mattered. She is one of the most humble people I have ever met.”

Lakota East finished with 19-6 overall record and a 10-4 record within the Greater Miami Conference this past season. The Thunderhawks were one of the final eight teams in the state tournament before losing to Pickerington North High School in the regional title game.

Wyckoff actually has a younger sister on the basketball team. Her sister, Whitney, will be senior next season. For the past two seasons, Whitney has been named to the All-GMC girls’ basketball First Team.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, Brooke Wyckoff, Florida State, Florida State University, FSU, girls' basketball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Nikki Drew, Whitney Wyckoff, WNBA

The Lakota East and Lakota West athletic departments will host numerous sports camps this month. For flyers and registration information on all the summer camps at Lakota East and at Lakota West, visit the “summer opportunities” page on lakotaonline.com.

Lakota East will host a wrestling camp (June 20-23), a girls’ basketball camp (June 7-10), a boys’ basketball camp (June 7-9, June 20-23, June 27-29, July 25-27), a girls’ volleyball camp (June 13-16) and a football camp (June 7-10).

Lakota West will host a girls’ basketball camp (June 13-16), a wrestling camp (June 13-16), a boys’ basketball camp (June 20-23), a girls’ volleyball camp (June 6-9), a softball camp (June 27-29), a baseball camp (June 27-29) and a football camp (July 11-13).

In addition to those camps, Lakota West and Lakota East will combine to offer youth golf camps (June 15-17, June 22-24, July 13-15, July 20-22, July 27-29).

Summer camps could be full and registration periods may have expired for some portions of the camps. Use contact information provided on lakotaonline.com to find out more on availability and cost.

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

Tags: Tags: baseball, baseball camp, basketball camp, basketball camps, boys' basketball, camps, football, football camp, girls' basketball, girls' volleyball, golf, golf camp, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, softball, softball camp, volleyball, volleyball camp, wrestling, wrestling camp

The Lakota East Athletic Department will be offering numerous camps this summer. Currently, there are camps for wrestling, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball and football. Meanwhile, Lakota West will also have a girls’ basketball, wrestling and boys’ basketball camp in June.

The Lakota East wrestling camp will take place from June 20-23. Session 1 will be for children who are six years old through the sixth grade. Session 2 will be for junior high and high school wrestlers. Session 1 will last from 9 a.m. to noon each day and will cost $60 (family cap – $120). Session 2 will last from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day and will cost $100. The camp’s instructors include Ohio University head coach Joel Greenlee, college wrestlers and Olympians.

The Lakota East Lady Hawks Hoops Camps will take place June 7-10. There will be a skills camp for beginners and intermediate skill level players aged 8-13 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The advanced camp for players aged 10-13 will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The skills camp is $50 per camp, the advanced camp is $80 per camper and the cost is $100 for both camps. The camp will be lead by the coaching staff and the varsity athletes at Lakota East.

The boys’ basketball team will also be offering multiple sessions for different grade levels. There are sessions for grades 2-8, 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The camp will be instructed by the coaching staff, current and past Lakota East players. Overall, there are six separate events, each of which range from $70-to-$75 to attend.

Lakota East’s volleyball camp will take place June 13-16 and will be for incoming third through eighth graders. Players in grade 3-5 will participate in the morning (8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.), while athletes in grades 6-8 will participate from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $75. The camp will feature former and current college players and Morehead State University head coach Jaime Gordon.

The Lakota East football camp will take place June 7-10 and will be for grades 2-9. The camp is $50 per camper and will go from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The camp will feature head coach Rick Haynes (photo – above), the entire coaching staff and former Lakota East players.

For flyers and registration information on all the summer camps at Lakota East and at Lakota West, visit the “summer opportunities” page on lakotaonline.com.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball camp, basketball camps, boys' basketball, camps, football, football camp, girls' basketball, girls' volleyball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, volleyball, volleyball camp, wrestling, wrestling camp

The Lakota West Athletic Department has announced that it will have a girls’ basketball camp, a wrestling camp and a boys’ basketball camp in June. The girls’ basketball and wrestling camps will take place June 13-16, while the boys’ basketball camp will take place June 20-23.

The girls’ basketball camp, which is for grades kindergarten through ninth, will focus on improving fundamental basketball skills. The camp’s staff will feature Lakota West coaches, current and former Lakota West players, current and former college players and special guest instructor Laurie Pirtle.

The cost to attend the camp is $90 (includes camp t-shirt and basketball) until this Monday, April 11. Afterwards, the cost will go up to $100. Last year, the girls’ camp sold out and had more than 80 registered campers by April 30. For more information, email Lakota West head girls’ basketball coach Andy Fishman at a.fishman@lakotaonline.com or download the Lakota West girls’ basketball camp flyer.

The wrestling camp is designed for two age groups, grades second through sixth and grades seventh through twelfth. Each group will have campers work with someone close to their own skill and weight level. The session for the older wrestlers will feature instruction from collegiate wrestlers and coaches.

The cost to attend the camp is $50 for the younger age group and $85 for the older age group. For more information, download the Lakota West wrestling camp flyer.

The Lakota West boys’ basketball camp is designed for students in grades second through ninth. The cost to attend the camp is $95. Camp staff includes Lakota West’s coaching staff as well as current and former players. For more information about the camp, download the Lakota West boys’ basketball camp flyer.

Also in June, there will be summer leagues for boys’ and girls’ basketball. For more information on the leagues refer to the camps’ flyers.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, basketball camp, basketball camps, boys' basketball, camps, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, wresling, wresling camp

The Lakota East Athletic Department will be offering numerous camps this summer. Currently, there are camps for wrestling, girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball and football. Meanwhile, Lakota West will also have a girls’ basketball, wrestling and boys’ basketball camp in June.

The Lakota East wrestling camp will take place from June 20-23. Session 1 will be for children who are six years old through the sixth grade. Session 2 will be for junior high and high school wrestlers. Session 1 will last from 9 a.m. to noon each day and will cost $60 (family cap – $120). Session 2 will last from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day and will cost $100. The camp’s instructors include Ohio University head coach Joel Greenlee, college wrestlers and Olympians.

The Lakota East Lady Hawks Hoops Camps will take place June 7-10. There will be a skills camp for beginners and intermediate skill level players aged 8-13 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The advanced camp for players aged 10-13 will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The skills camp is $50 per camp, the advanced camp is $80 per camper and the cost is $100 for both camps. The camp will be lead by the coaching staff and the varsity athletes at Lakota East.

The boys’ basketball team will also be offering multiple sessions for different grade levels. There are sessions for grades 2-8, 3-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The camp will be instructed by the coaching staff, current and past Lakota East players. Overall, there are six separate events, each of which range from $70-to-$75 to attend.

Lakota East’s volleyball camp will take place June 13-16 and will be for incoming third through eighth graders. Players in grade 3-5 will participate in the morning (8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.), while athletes in grades 6-8 will participate from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $75. The camp will feature former and current college players and Morehead State University head coach Jaime Gordon.

The Lakota East football camp will take place June 7-10 and will be for grades 2-9. The camp is $50 per camper and will go from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The camp will feature head coach Rick Haynes (photo – above), the entire coaching staff and former Lakota East players.

For flyers and registration information on all the summer camps at Lakota East and at Lakota West, visit the “summer opportunities” page on lakotaonline.com.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball camp, basketball camps, boys' basketball, camps, football, football camp, girls' basketball, girls' volleyball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, volleyball, volleyball camp, wrestling, wrestling camp

The Lakota West Athletic Department has announced that it will have a girls’ basketball camp, a wrestling camp and a boys’ basketball camp in June. The girls’ basketball and wrestling camps will take place June 13-16, while the boys’ basketball camp will take place June 20-23.

The girls’ basketball camp, which is for grades kindergarten through ninth, will focus on improving fundamental basketball skills. The camp’s staff will feature Lakota West coaches, current and former Lakota West players, current and former college players and special guest instructor Laurie Pirtle.

The cost to attend the camp is $90 (includes camp t-shirt and basketball) until this Monday, April 11. Afterwards, the cost will go up to $100. Last year, the girls’ camp sold out and had more than 80 registered campers by April 30. For more information, email Lakota West head girls’ basketball coach Andy Fishman at a.fishman@lakotaonline.com or download the Lakota West girls’ basketball camp flyer.

The wrestling camp is designed for two age groups, grades second through sixth and grades seventh through twelfth. Each group will have campers work with someone close to their own skill and weight level. The session for the older wrestlers will feature instruction from collegiate wrestlers and coaches.

The cost to attend the camp is $50 for the younger age group and $85 for the older age group. For more information, download the Lakota West wrestling camp flyer.

The Lakota West boys’ basketball camp is designed for students in grades second through ninth. The cost to attend the camp is $95. Camp staff includes Lakota West’s coaching staff as well as current and former players. For more information about the camp, download the Lakota West boys’ basketball camp flyer.

Also in June, there will be summer leagues for boys’ and girls’ basketball. For more information on the leagues refer to the camps’ flyers.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, basketball camp, basketball camps, boys' basketball, camps, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, wrestling, wrestling camp

Between Lakota East and Lakota West, 10 players and one coach were honored when the Greater Miami Conference announced its All-Conference teams this month.

On the boys’ side, Lakota East head coach Wally Vickers was named GMC Coach of the Year. Vickers led the Thunderhawks to their first outright GMC title and to their first district championship. As a team, Lakota East finished the year with a 23-2 overall record and a 13-1 mark within the GMC.

Four of Vickers’ seniors were also honored by the GMC. Michael Boyd (12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game) was named the GMC Athlete of the Year. Teammate R.J. Leppert (7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game) joined Boyd on the GMC All-Conference First Team. Fellow seniors Jalen Goodwin (8.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game) and Cameron Lee (9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game) were named to the GMC All-Conference Second Team.

From Lakota West, sophomore Monty Boykins (13.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game) was named to the GMC All-Conference First Team and senior Phillip Cook (10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) was named to the GMC All-Conference Second Team.

On the girls’ side, Lakota East had three players honored: Junior Alyssa Grevenkamp (9.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game) and junior Whitney Wyckoff (12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds) were named to the GMC All-Conference First Team, while junior Molly Blomer (10.8 points and 6.2 rebounds) was named to the GMC All-Conference Second Team.

From Lakota West, senior Ronni Grandison, who will play basketball at the University of Massachusetts, was named to the GMC All-Conference Second Team.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alyssa Grevenkamp, basketball, boys' basketball, Cameron Lee, girls' basketball, Jalen Goodwin, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Michael Boyd, Molly Blomer, Monty Boykins, Phil Cook, Phillip Cook, R.J. Leppert, Ronni Grandison, Wally Vickers, Walter Vickers, Whitney Wyckoff

The Thunderhawks advanced further in the state tournament they have in the history of their program, but couldn’t hang with Pickerington North and lost by the score of 52-40 in the Division I regional championship game last night, March 11, at Otterbein University in Westerville.

“We got pushed around a little bit,” Lakota East coach Nikki Drew told Cincinnati.com. “I just thought it was some failed execution on our part. We were a little more hesitant than we have been.”

Cincinnati.com provided a game story of the loss:

The Thunderhawks (19-6) trailed as much as 26-14 with 2:30 to go before halftime. East then got a pair of baskets from Imani Outlaw and a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go from Tazzie Shaw to rally to within 27-21 by halftime.

The Thunderhawks trailed just 29-24 midway through the third period but the Panthers increased their lead to 36-27 by the end of the quarter.

The offense of Bryant and poor shooting of Lakota East doomed any hope of a rally by the Thunderhawks. They were 9-of-20 from the field during the first half but just 6-of-25 over the final two quarters.

Molly Blomer finished with 13 points, Whitney Wyckoff and Outlaw each scored eight and Alyssa Grevenkamp added four points and nine rebounds for East. Shaw had five points and seven rebounds.

For more on the game, visit Cincinnati.com’s story “Final marks end of Lakota East’s run.”

On their way to the regional final, the Thunderhawks defeated two Associated Press state-ranked teams in Fairborn (No. 10) and Reynoldsburg (No. 5).

The loss ends the high school career of Megan Costa (photo – in game earlier this postseason), who will play at Miami University Middletown.

Next season, Lakota East could have seven or more seniors on its varsity team.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, girls' basketball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Nikki Drew, Pickerington North, playoffs, postseason, state tournament

Lakota East and Pickerington North will face off Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Otterbein University (Westerville – just north of Columbus) in what many in the state could consider to be a “surprise” matchup in the regional final.

On Tuesday, March 8, No. 2 seed Lakota East defeated No. 1 seed Reynoldsburg, while No. 5 seed Pickerington North upset the No. 2 seed Columbus Northland. Both Reynoldsburg (No. 5) and Northland (No. 9) were ranked in the top ten in the final Division I Associated Press state poll, while Lakota East and Pickerington North did not receive enough votes to even be mentioned.

“In Vegas today, I doubt if it would be Lakota East and Pickerington North,” Pickerington head coach Dave Butcher told the Columbus Dispatch after his team defeated Northland 58-50 on Tuesday. “Maybe we can take the next step. It has not been an easy one for us (winning the regional).”

The winner of Friday’s regional final would advance into the state’s final four bracket. For the Thunderhawks, who just won their first district final and regional semifinal games in school history this postseason, it would be the first time a Lakota team made it to the final four since Lakota West did it in 2009.

“I would agree with Dave (Butcher), the vast majority would be surprised with the matchup to go to the final four,” Lakota East head coach Nikki Drew said. “The team is not surprised. They had it in them to do this, so that is what matters.” (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, girls' basketball, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Nikki Drew, Pickerington North, playoffs, postseason, state tournament