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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

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

Lakota West earned its 10^th win of the season when it defeated Oak Hills by the score of 69-41 on the road Tuesday. Last year, the Firebirds finished with a 9-13 overall record.

The 28-point margin made for the Firebirds’ most dominating win of the 2011-2012 season. Leading Lakota West to the win was junior Monty Boykins, who finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds.

Lakota West sophomore Tyler Williams (photo from earlier game this season) added 10 points and 5 assists.

Another bright spot for the Firebirds was the return of forward Kayaune Ross, who had not played due to injury since Jan. 7. In his return, Ross scored 5 points and pulled down 4 rebounds.

Meanwhile, junior Jake Richmond and senior Alex Bergen each scored in double figures for Oak Hills. Richmond finished with 11 points, while Bergen totaled 12.

The Firebirds will be searching for their third straight win when they visit rival Mason (14-2 overall, 8-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Oak Hills will also be in action Friday at 7:30 p.m. when it visits Princeton (12-3 overall, 7-3 in the GMC).

In previous meetings, Lakota West lost to Mason (70-60) at home Jan. 6 and Oak Hills upset Princeton (60-55) on its home court the same night.

Lakota West 69, Oak Hills 41

Lakota West (10-6 overall, 7-3 in the GMC) – Bowling 1 0 2, Hicks 1 0 2, Ross 3 1 7, Blue 3 0 7, Thomas 1 1 3, Barnes 3 1 8, Williams 3 2 10, Manin 2 0 4, Boykins 7 1 18, Grove 2 4 8. Totals: 26 10 69.

Oak Hills (7-8 overall, 5-5 in the GMC) – Richmond 4 2 11, Elliott 1 0 2, Walter 0 2 2, Pflum1 1 3, Herbig 1 0 2, McDowell 1 2 4, Bergen 5 2 12, Witsken 1 0 2, Chisholm 0 3 3. Totals 14 12 41.

Halftime: Lakota West 35-22. 3-pointers: L 7 (Boykins 3, Williams 2, Barnes, Blue); O 1 (Richmond).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Bergen, Jake Richmond, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Oak Hills basketball, Tyler Williams

Senior offensive lineman Beau Odom and senior wide receiver Kayaune Ross have verbally committed to play football in college Tuesday. Odom decided on Georgetown College, while Ross will continue his career at Fort Scott Community College.

Odom and Ross bring up the total of Lakota West seniors verbally committed to play football in college to six. The other four committed seniors include safety Dawson Fletcher (Indiana University), defensive end Blake Bell (University of California, Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University) and linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay).

• Video highlights of Lakota West DL/OL Beau Odom
• Video highlights of Lakota West WR Kayaune Ross

That group, along with running back Marcus Davis, 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.

Odom chose Georgetown over St. Joseph College (Ind.) and Ohio Dominican University, according to Lakota West head coach Larry Cox. Last season, the 6-foot-2 295-pound Odom played both ways. On defense, Odom registered 10.5 tackles and had a fumble recovery at limited time at defensive tackle. Odom was selected first team all-Greater Miami Conference for his play on the offensive line.

Meanwhile, Ross selected Fort Scott Community College (Kan.) over Hutchinson Community College and Iowa Central Community College. The football program at Fort Scott has a rich tradition of helping players sign with Division I football teams.

This week, two former Fort Scott players who went on to sign with the University of South Florida, will be playing in this week’s 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 players on the New York Giants’ defense.

The 6-foot-3 200-pound Ross gave defenses in the GMC fits 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.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Beau Odom, Beau Odom football highlights, Kayaune Ross, Kayaune Ross football 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

Lakota West battled injuries and couldn’t finish off its comeback attempt against Princeton, falling by the score of 56-50 Friday.

The Firebirds had trailed Princeton 49-48 with 55 seconds to play. The Vikings, however, converted 5-of-6 free throws in the last minute to hold on to the win.

Senior De’Arius Young (6-foot-7, 280 pounds) led Princeton with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Lakota West senior Jackson Blue set a Lakota school district single game record with 8 blocks. According to WestFirebirds.com, the previous record was 7 set by Josh Chichester during the 2003-04 season.

The Firebirds also received strong performances by junior Monty Boykins (13 points, 11 rebounds), junior Ali Barnes (13 points) and sophomore Tyler Williams (11 points, 6 rebounds).

Due to injury, Lakota West took the court without senior forward Kayaune Ross. Furthermore, Barnes was injured during the game.

Next up for the Firebirds is a matchup against Dixie Heights (10-5 overall) in the Bluegrass-Buckeye Classic at the Bank of Kentucky Center (Northern Kentucky University) at 7:45 p.m. Saturday. Princeton, on the other hand, is not scheduled to play another game until next Friday when it will host Hamilton (3-8 overall, 1-5 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m.

Princeton 56, Lakota West 50

Lakota West (7-4, 4-2 in the GMC) – Blue 1 2 5, Barnes 5 2 13, Stalker 1 0 2, Williams 3 4 11, Boykins 5 2 13, Thomas 0 2 2, Moo Young 1 0 2, Bengal 1 0 2.

Princeton (8-3, 3-3 in the GMC) – Jordan 2 5 9, Tivis 2 0 4, Isham 4 0 8, McAvinchey 2 1 5, Young 5 5 15, Pritchett 1 0 2, McGill 3 0 7, Watkins 1 0 2, Lowmeyer 1 2 4.

Halftime: Princeton 28-24. 3-pointers: L 4 (Barnes, Boykins, Blue, Williams); P 1 (McGill).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, De’Arius Young, Josh Chichester, Josh Chichester Louisville, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Princeton basketball, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week for the first time in the 2012. Junior Monty Boykins and senior Shabazz Reeves received the honor at Lakota West, while sophomore Shelby Hutton and junior Tyler Phillips were honored at Lakota East.

During the holiday break, Lakota West also honored sophomore point guard Tyler Williams, junior swimmer Savannah Rice, senior forward Kayaune Ross and sophomore swimmer Casey Frazier as athletes of the week.

Boykins scored a total of 58 points in the Republic Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington, Ky., last week. He led the Firebirds with 16 points in the team’s opening round win against Simon Kenton. On Tuesday, Boykins scored 15 points in Lakota West’s 60-46 win against Hamilton. The junior small forward has scored in double figures in each game (all 8 games) this season.

During Lakota West’s Holiday Hoops Fest, Reeves led all of her Firebird teammates with 21 points. On Wednesday, Reeves scored 10 points, had 2 assists and 3 steals off the bench in a 68-60 loss to Greater Miami Conference power Princeton. Reeves is also the leading scorer for Lakota West at 8.9 points per game. She has also already signed on to play at Morgan State University.

Hutton finished in first place in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke during a swim meet that included Middletown and Lakota West Dec. 27. She was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams that finished in first place at the same event.

On the boys’ swimming side, during the same meet Dec. 27, Phillips finished first in the 100-yard backstroke and second in the 200-yard individual medley. He was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams that finished in first place.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, Casey Frazier, Greater Miami Conference, Kayaune Ross, Lakota athletes of the week, Lakota East, Lakota East athletics, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West swimming, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Savannah Rice, Shabazz Reeves, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

Lakota West, which lost two of its three games at the Republic Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington (Ky.) last week, remained perfect against Greater Miami Conference opponents after defeating Hamilton on the road by the score of 60-46 Tuesday.

The win sets up a big game for the Firebirds (6-2 overall, 4-0 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when they will host Mason (8-1 overall, 3-1 in the GMC).

In Tuesday’s win against Hamilton, juniors Ali Barnes and Monty Boykins each scored 15 points for the Firebirds. Senior forward Kayaune Ross and sophomore point guard Tyler Williams each added 8 points in the win.

Hamilton 6-foot-8 senior Torrell Sutton led all players with 18 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

After the upcoming Mason game, Lakota West will play at Elder (1-6 overall, 0-2 in the Greater Catholic League) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lakota West 60, Hamilton 46

Lakota West (6-2, 4-0 in the GMC) – Ross 4 0 8, Blue 3 3 9, Barnes 6 1 15, Stalker 1 0 2, Williams 3 2 8, Boykins 6 2 15, Grove 1 0 3. Totals 24 8 60.

Hamilton (2-6, 0-4 in the GMC) – Boyd 2 1 5, Bailey 3 0 7, Jones 2 1 6, Sims 3 0 7, Oliver 1 1 3, Sutton 8 2 18. Totals 19 5 46.

Halftime: Lakota West 26-22. 3-pointers: L 4 (Barnes 2, Boykins, Grove); H 3 (Bailey, Sims, Jones).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West High School, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Torrell Sutton, Tyler Williams

The Lakota West boys’ basketball team won its second straight game against a Greater Miami Conference opponent when it defeated Sycamore by the score of 59-53 Friday.

Junior Monty Boykins, who finished with a team high 15 points, led the Firebirds. Teammates senior Kayaune Ross (14 points, 15 rebounds) and junior Ali Barnes (14 points, 3 assistss) combined to score 28 points.

Meanwhile, 6-foot-6 260-pound A.J. Williams, who is committed to play football at Michigan, finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds for Sycamore in the loss.

Next up for the Firebirds (2-0 overall, 2-0 in the GMC) is a road contest at rival Lakota East (1-2 overall, 0-2 in the GMC). Sycamore (1-3 overall, 0-2 in the GMC) will also play Tuesday, visiting Colerain (2-2 overall, 0-2 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m.

Box score – Lakota West 59, Sycamore 53

Sycamore (1-3, 0-2 GMC) – Gruden 2 4 8, Hill 1 2 5, Farquhar 1 0 2, Brown 3 4 10, Morgan 4 3 11, Williams 8 1 17. Totals: 19 14 53.
Lakota West (2-0, 2-0 GMC) – Ross 4 4 14, Blue 2 0 4, Barnes 6 1 14, Stalker 1 0 2, Williams 1 3 6, Moo Young 0 2 2, Boykins 5 4 15, Grove 1 0 2. Totals: 20 14 59.

Halftime score: Lakota West 26-22. 3-pointers: S 1 (Hill); LW 5 (Ross 2, Barnes, Williams, Boykins).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: A.J. Williams, Ali Barnes, Kayaune Ross, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Sycamore basketball

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…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

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 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