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For the first time in the 47-year history of the Greater Miami Conference, four boys’ basketball teams finished the regular season in a four-way tie for first place.

On Friday night, Lakota West won its final game of the 2012-2013 regular season. With its 65-50 win against Oak Hills, Lakota West improved to 9-5 in conference play.

Meanwhile, also on Friday night, Fairfield defeated Lakota East, 77-58, and Middletown defeated Hamilton, 89-66. The wins improved the Indians and the Middies records to 9-5 within the GMC.

On that same night, Princeton upset Sycamore 77-65 – as Sycamore fell to 9-5 after its regular season finale.

In the Firebirds win against Oak Hills, four of their players scored in double figures. Senior guard Ali Barnes led his team with 16 points. Juniors Tyler Bowling (15 points), Tyler Williams (10 points) and Justin Martin (11 points) also scored in double figures.

Back to the historical aspect of the four-way tie, it is something that has never occurred in any GMC sport with the exception of baseball where Hamilton, Lakota West, Oak Hills and Princeton all tied for first in the spring of 2006.

Furthermore, Lakota West hasn’t won or shared a boys’ basketball title since winning the GMC during the 2005-2006 winter sports season.

Lakota West	23	15	9	18	65
Oak Hills	19	14	11	6	50

Lakota West (15-7, 9-5) – Barnes 6 2 16, Bowling 6 3 15, Williams 3 2 10, Grove 3 0 7, Martin 5 0 11, Thomas 1 2 4, Moo Young 0 2 2. Totals 24 11 65.

Oak Hills (8-14, 5-9) – Richmond 7 10 27, Laumann 2 2 8, Witsken 4 0 9, Chisholm 2 2 6. Totals 15 14 50.

Halftime: Lakota West 38-33. 3-pointers L 6 (Barnes 2, Williams 2, Grove, Martin); O 6 (Richmond 3, Laumann 2, Witsken).

Lakota East ends season on losing note – The Thunderhawks were ranked No. 2 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division coaches’ poll for almost the entire first half of the regular season. After starting the year 10-0, Lakota East has lost 7 of its last 12 games including 3 of its last 4. The latest loss came Friday, 77-58 at Fairfield. On Jan. 4, East defeated Fairfield at home by the score of 62-44. With the loss, East finishes the regular season with a 15-7 overall record and an 8-6 mark within the GMC.

Lakota East	12	20	11	15	58
Fairfield	10	18	18	31	77

Lakota East (15-7, 8-6) – Emrick 2 0 4, Harpring 7 1 18, S. Lowry 4 2 13, White 2 1 5, D. Lowry 1 0 3, Baxter 6 3 15. Totals 22 7 58.

Fairfield (14-8, 9-5) – Fleming 5 5 15, Minella 2 2 6, Vinson 1 0 2, Boyle 0 2 2, Braun 3 0 9, Johnson 2 2 6, Brunis 9 5 23, Wells 5 2 12, Horn 1 0 2. Totals 28 18 77.

Halftime: Lakota East 32-28. 3-pointers L 7 (Harpring 3, S. Lowry 3, D. Lowry); F 3 (Braun 3).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East postseason, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West postseason

Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs will wrap up the 2012-2013 regular season with road games this Friday and then prepare for the postseason.

First, the last regular season game for each school could help determine who will win the Greater Miami Conference title. Both teams are 8-5 in conference play, a game back from Sycamore (12-8, 9-4 in the GMC) in the GMC standings.

Lakota East (15-6, 8-5) is at Fairfield (13-8, 8-5), while Lakota West (14-7, 8-5) will be at Oak HIlls (8-12, 5-8). Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Sycamore’s last conference game is also Friday, at Princeton (10-10, 7-6), at 7:30 p.m.

In postseason play, East will open with a game against Glen Este (4-16, 0-11 in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference) next Friday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at Lakota West High School. If East advances, it will face Oak Hills the following Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at Lakota West.

Meanwhile, West won’t have its first postseason game until Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at Hamilton High School. In that game, the Firebirds will face the winner of the Loveland (10-10, 6-5 in ECC) and Sycamore game – which will be played next Friday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at Hamilton.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East postseason, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West postseason

While the Lakota East girls’ soccer team won its opening-round playoff game in the sectional tournament, the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ soccer programs will be in action tonight.

The Lakota East boys (5-8-3 overall, 4-4-1 in the Greater Miami Conference) were actually scheduled to play Mount Healthy (5-8-3 overall, 0-5-2 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) last night. The match, however, was postponed due to weather. Both teams will give it another try Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Lakota East High School football field.

The winner of the match will play at Turpin (12-1-3 overall, 6-1-1 in the FAVC) Saturday at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Lakota West boys’ team will also be action tonight. The Firebirds (11-3-2 overall, 8-0-1 in the GMC) will host Western Hills at 7 p.m.

After starting the season 0-2, Lakota West has gone on to finish the regular season by going 11-1-2 and won the Greater Miami Conference for the first time in 2002.

In the final state poll, released this week, Lakota West was ranked No. 7 in Division I by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

If the Firebirds advance, they will host the winner of the Amelia (11-2-3 overall, 8-0-2 in the Southern Buckeye Conference) and Elder (4-8-4 overall, 1-4-2 in the Greater Catholic League) match. That match would be played Saturday as well.

Weather could play a role into tonight’s matches. The National Weather Service is predicting showers with thunderstorms this afternoon and is also predicting that showers are likely to continue tonight.

There also appears to be a good chance for rain throughout Thursday.

It should be dry Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however, according to the National Weather Service.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Weather |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East postseason, Lakota East soccer, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West postseason, Lakota West soccer, Lakota West sports, Ohio sectional soccer tournament, weather, West Chester weather

The Lakota East volleyball program has been climbing up the state rankings the past two weeks and should be moving up again after a 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-19 win against Mount Notre Dame Thursday.

Lakota East began this week, in a three-way tie for No. 6 in the Division I Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Meanwhile, Mount Notre Dame was No. 2 in the poll.

Thursday’s match ends the regular season for the Thunderhawks, which includes a Greater Miami Conference championship, a 20-1 overall record and a 9-0 mark in the GMC.

The postseason will begin for Lakota East next Thursday, Oct. 20, when it will face the winner of the Anderson/Northwest match at Lakota West High School at 7:30 p.m.

If the Thunderhawks advance, they will likely play St. Ursula (13-8 overall, 5-4 in the GGCL) – also currently ranked No. 6 in the state – Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota West.

Girls’ volleyball – Lakota West falls to Ursuline – The Lakota West girls’ volleyball team ended the regular season with a 25-13, 25-18, 25-12 loss at Ursuline Thursday. With the loss, Lakota West finishes the regular season with a 15-7 overall record (8-1 in the GMC). The Firebirds will begin postseason play next Saturday, Oct. 22, against the winner of the Little Miami/Middletown match at 2:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Boys’ soccer – Lakota West takes down Lakota East – Lakota West’s 2-0 win at Lakota East Thursday was extra special since it clinched first GMC title since 2002. Junior David Piotrowski and senior Alex Wagoner each scored for the Firebirds. With the win, Lakota West finishes the regular season with a 11-3-2 overall record and a 8-0-1 record in GMC. Lakota West is scheduled to begin the postseason next Wednesday, Oct. 19, against Western Hills.

Girls’ soccer – Lakota East finishes season with a win – Lakota East wrapped up its regular season with a 5-1 win at Harrison Thursday. The Thunderhawks finish the season with a 7-7-2 overall record and a 5-2-2 GMC record. Last year, Lakota East finished with a 4-13 overall record and a 3-6 mark in the GMC. The Thunderhawks will begin postseason play Monday, Oct. 17, against Colerain.

Girls’ tennis – District tournament – Lakota East junior Taylor Holden won her first two matches at the Division I Southwest District tennis tournament Thursday. Holden will face 2010 state champion junior Sandy Niehaus of Mount Notre Dame in the district semifinals. The semifinals and finals of the tournament will be played Saturday at Centerville High School beginning at 9 a.m. Holden has already qualified for the state tournament in Columbus Oct. 21-22.

Weekend sports schedule

Friday, Oct. 14

Lakota East – football – at Colerain at 7:30 p.m.
Lakota West – football – vs. Hamilton at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 15
Lakota East and Lakota West– girls’ tennis – district tournament (if advance on Thursday) at Centerville at 9 a.m.
Lakota East and Lakota West– cross country – GMC Championships at Voice of America Park at 10 a.m.
Lakota West – girls’ volleyball – at Milford at 4 p.m.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: daily sports roundup, Lakota East, Lakota East athletic schedule, Lakota East postseason, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West athletic schedule, Lakota West postseason, Lakota West sports, schedule, sports schedule, Taylor Holden, Taylor Holden Lakota East

The Lakota East volleyball program clinched the Greater Miami Conference title with a 28-26, 25-20, 16-25, 25-23 win at Mason Tuesday. The win improves the Thunderhawks’ record to 19-1 overall and 9-0 in the GMC.

The GMC championship will be the school’s third this fall. Lakota East High School has already won conference titles in boys’ golf and girls’ tennis.

The Thunderhawks hadn’t won the GMC in volleyball since 2008. Prior to that, the school’s only other volleyball title was in 1998.

Lakota East will wrap up the regular season this Thursday at Mount Notre Dame (17-4 overall, 9-1 in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League) at 6 p.m.

The postseason will begin for Lakota East next Thursday, Oct. 20, when it will face the winner of the Anderson/Northwest match at Lakota West High School at 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ volleyball – Lakota West defeats Princeton – The Firebirds bounced back from Monday’s loss to St. Ursula with a 25-6, 25-12, 25-5 win at Princeton Tuesday. Lakota West (15-6 overall, 8-1 in the GMC) will wrap up the regular season Thursday at Ursuline (14-7 overall, 6-4 in the GGCL) at 6:30 p.m. The Firebirds will begin postseason play next Saturday against the winner of the Little Miami/Middletown match at 2:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.

Boys’ soccer – Lakota West defeats Princeton – The Lakota West boys’ soccer team continued its hot streak when it defeated Princeton by the score of 1-0 Tuesday. Senior Jon Campbell scored the match’s only goal. Lakota West is now 10-3-2 after starting the regular season 0-2. The Firebirds are also 7-0-1 in the GMC and have a chance win the conference title for the first time since 2002 if they win their regular season finale at home against rival Lakota East at 7 p.m. Lakota West is scheduled to begin the postseason next Wednesday, Oct. 19, against Western Hills.

Boys’ soccer – Lakota East falls to Mason – The Thunderhawks couldn’t hang with the Mason Comets Tuesday, losing by the score 4-0. With the loss Lakota East falls to 5-7-3 overall and 4-3-1 in the GMC. Lakota East will wrap up its regular season Thursday at Lakota West at 7 p.m. The Thunderhawks will begin the postseason with a match at home against Mount Healthy (5-7-2 overall, 0-4-2 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) next Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Girls’ soccer – Lakota West ties Princeton – Lakota West tied Princeton 3-3 Tuesday and remained unbeaten the GMC. Lakota West (8-2-5 overall, 6-0-3 in the GMC) is currently behind Fairfield (10-2-2 overall, 7-0-1 in the GMC) in the conference standings. Fairfield will play host Mason (9-2-3 overall, 5-0-3 in the GMC) this Saturday at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, Lakota West has one game left in the regular season and it is against an out-of-conference opponent. Lakota West will play at Milford (12-2 overall, 8-0 in the FAVC) Saturday at 4 p.m. Lakota West will begin the postseason next Thursday, Oct. 20, when it will face the winner of the Turpin/Seton game.

Girls’ soccer – Lakota East ties Mason – Lakota East and Mason finished in 0-0 tie Tuesday. Lakota East (6-7-2 overall, 5-2-2 in the GMC) will wrap up the regular season at Harrison (2-10-2 overall, 2-3-2 in the FAVC) Thursday at 7 p.m. The Thunderhawks will begin postseason play Monday, Oct. 17, against Colerain.

Today’s and tomorrow’s sports schedule:

Wednesday, Oct. 12

Lakota East and Lakota West– boys’ and girls’ golf – district tournament at Weatherwax at 9 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 13

Lakota East and Lakota West– girls’ tennis – district tournament at Centerville at 9 a.m.
Lakota East – girls’ volleyball – at Mt. Notre Dame at 6 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ volleyball – at Ursuline at 6 p.m.
Lakota East at Lakota West – boys’ soccer – vs. at 7 p.m.
Lakota East – girls’ soccer – at Harrison at 7 p.m.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: daily sports roundup, Lakota East, Lakota East athletic schedule, Lakota East postseason, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West athletic schedule, Lakota West postseason, Lakota West sports, schedule, sports schedule, Taylor Holden, Taylor Holden Lakota East