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Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Lakota East senior outfielder Tyler Schlensker hit a one-out RBI single to bring in senior designated hitter Brett Colburn for the game-winning run in a 5-4 win over Glen Este in a Division I sectional semifinal Saturday.

The hit was Schlensker’s only of the game, but it propelled Lakota East, ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, to the sectional final against No. 6 Loveland (20-6) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Western Hills.

Lakota East junior pitcher Kyle Lepper came into a tie game in the top of the seventh inning and didn’t allow a run.

W–Lepper (6-1); L–Moore (1-4). Leaders: L–Minniear 2B; Elam 2-4. G–Rieck 3-4; T. Burdick 2-3. Records: L 24-3, G 11-14.

Meanwhile, Lakota West (15-13) upset No. 5 Hamilton, by score of 5-3, in its sectional semifinal Friday. The Firebirds had lost to Hamilton (20-7) twice in the regular season. Lakota West will now play No. 7 Harrison (18-8) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kings High School.

SOFTBALL

After advancing last week, Lakota West (20-6) will take on Springboro (18-5) at 5 p.m. Monday at West Carrollton and Lakota East (19-8) will now face Centerville (22-5) at 5 p.m. Monday at Miamisburg.

BOYS’ TRACK

Greater Miami Conference Championships at Mason High School

Senior Jordan Combs, who is committed to Miami, won the pole vault for Lakota East.

Team scores: 1. Mason 190, 2. Sycamore 93 3. Colerain 73, 4.Oak Hills 71, 5.Middletown 68.50, 6.Princeton 58.50, 7.Lakota West 49, 8.Lakota East 37, 9.Hamilton 18, 10.Fairfield 3

100M–Chanatry (Ma) 10.99; 200M–Cummings (Ma) 22.08; 400M–Konkoly (OH) 48.59; 800M–Valentine (Ma) 1:54.64; 1600M–Notton (Ma) 4:19.77; 3200M–Clark (Ma) 9:21.98; 110 hurdles–Maiden (Ma) 14.66; 300 hurdles–Mainden (Ma) 38.41; 4×100–Mason 42.65; 4×200–Mason 1:26.95; 4×400–Mason 3:19.84; 4×800–Mason 7:58.73; Shotput–Wiesman (Co) 56’8”; Discus–Sorrell (Mi) 153’04’; Long jump–Marshall (Mi) 23’.50”; High jump–Marshall (Mt) 6’4”; Pole vault–.Combs (LE) 12’6”.

Coach of the Year: Hank Ray (Sycamore)

Field Athlete of the Year: Jalin Marshall (Middletown)

Runner of the Year: Billy Chanatry (Mason)

GIRLS TRACK

Greater Miami Conference Championships at Mason High School

Junior Autumn Heath won the 100 and 200 meter runs for Lakota East. She was also named GMC runner of the year.

Team scores: 1. Mason 183, 2.Sycamore 149, 3.Lakota East 95, 4. Princeton 72, 5. Colerain 53, 6.Lakota West 30, 7.Middletown 26, 8. Fairfield 21, 9.Oak Hills 19, 10.Hamilton 14

100M–Heath (LE) 12.22; 200M–Heath (LE) 24.74; 400M–Knue (Ma) 58.49; 800M–Rhodenbaugh (Sy) 2:16.50; 1600M–Wood (Ma) 5:02.23; 3200M–Wood (Ma) 10:39; 100 hurdles–Horning (Ma) 14.90; 300 hurdles–Horning (Ma) 45.25; 4×100–Sycamore 49.26; 4×200–Sycamore 1:44.06; 4×400–Sycamore 3:54.74; 4×800–Mason 9:28.35; Shotput–Brown (Ma) 37’10.50”; Discus–Sherrer (Co) 115’10”; Long jump–Mbah (LE) 17’9”; High jump–Horning (Ma) 5’2”; Pole vault–Nelson (Ma) 10’6”.

Runner of the Year: Autumn Heath (Lakota East)

Field Event Performer of the Year: Ashley Brown (Mason)

Coach of the Year: Liz Gonda (Sycamore)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Autumn Heath, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

Sophomore Haley Johnson broke a scoreless tie with an RBI triple in the third inning, propelling Lakota West to a 6-1 win at home against Miamisburg Wednesday in its Division I sectional matchup.

Johnson came around to score on junior Madison Bridges base hit, and that was all the run support sophomore Madeline Kurtz would need. Kurtz pitched a complete game, with nine strikeouts, to move to 9-1.

Lakota West (20-6) advances to take on Springboro (18-5) at 5 p.m. Monday at West Carrollton.

W–Kurtz (9-1, 9 Ks); L–Wright. Leaders: L–Johnson 3B; Bridges 2-2; Brown 2B; Walterbusch 2B. M–Adams 2-3. Records: L 20-6, M 11-12.

Meanwhile, Lakota East led by a strong offensive showing from sophomore Payton Callihan, senior Lea Buckenmyer and junior Taylor Fair scored 11 runs in its 11-4 win at Piqua Wednesday in its Division I sectional matchup.

The trio combined to go 9-for-12 at the plate, hit four doubles and drive nine runs.

Lakota East (19-8) will now face Centerville (22-5) at 5 p.m. Monday at Miamisburg.

W–Buckenmyer (14-7); L–Dotson. Leaders: L–Callihan 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Buckenmyer 3-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Fair 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI; Dendler 2-3; Manning 2B. Records: L 19-8, P 20-5.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2013-2014 school year for the Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund, which was created to assist student athletes in the Lakota school district with sports fees.

After the Lakota Board of Education made cuts prior to the 2011-2012 school year, athletic fees ballooned to $350 per sport for junior high athletes and to $550 per sport for high school students. Athletic fees for the 2010-2011 school year were $200 for junior high students and $300 for high school students.

The fall deadlines to apply are June 21 for grades 7-8 and Aug. 15 for grades 9-12. The winter sports deadline is Sept. 23 and the spring sports deadline is Jan. 24, for all grades. A limited number of scholarships are available. Only one scholarship per student will be awarded in any given school year.

The Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund was established by private donations to assist families, who display a need, by covering half of the participation fee assessed to students participating in sports within Lakota Schools.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of residents from West Chester and Liberty towships. Applications can be obtained online at www.wclfoundation.com/LakotaAthleticParticipationFeeFund.asp. Please submit completed forms to The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty, 5641 Union Centre Drive, West Chester 45069.

For more information call the Community Foundation office at 513-874-5450.

Posted in: Levy news, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletic fees, Community Foundation, Community Foundation WCL, Community Foundation West Chester/Liberty, Lakota athletic fees, Lakota Athletic Participation Fee Fund, Lakota Board of Education, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, WCL Community Foundation

Lakota East and Lakota West baseball teams wrapped up the regular season with rivalry games against one another last week. East defeated West in both games, 5-3 and 3-2, last Wednesday and this past Saturday.

The Thunderhawks (22-3, 16-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) finished second in the conference standings behind Mason (22-0, 17-0). West (13-13, 8-10) finished in sixth place (out of 10 teams).

Both teams will begin postseason play this week. East will host the winner of Tuesday’s Sycamore at Glen Este matchup on Thursday at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, West will host Mt. Healthy Tuesday at 5 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Before Lakota West opens postseason play Wednesday it will play at Mason Monday and at Sycamore Tuesday, both games are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Currently, West (17-6, 13-3) is in second place in the GMC standings behind Oak Hills (22-3, 16-1) and ahead of Mason (18-6, 13-4).

Lakota East (18-8, 11-6) is currently in fourth place in the GMC.

In postseason play, West will host the winner of Tuesday’s Xenia at Miamisburg matchup Wednesday at 5 p.m., while East will play the winner of Tuesday’s Fairmont at Piqua matchup Wednesday at 5 p.m.

TENNIS

Neither Lakota East or Lakota West won a singles or doubles championship at this past week’s GMC Tournament. Mason swept No. 1 through No. 3 singles, while a Lakota athlete lost in the third place match for each singles division against a Princeton athlete.

Those third place matches include Princeton’s Matt Arroyo defeating Lakota West senior Nick Lang at No. 1 singles; Princeton senior Jacob Bent defeating Lakota East sophomore Boris Menniger at No. 2 singles; and Princeton senior Brian Hazen defeating Lakota West sophomore Hunter Cross at No. 3 singles.

Lakota East No. 2 doubles team of junior Nick Stuckert and freshman Kirill Smolyansky did win its third-place match against Fairfield’s Adam Zinader and Alexander Keith.

TRACK

Lakota East finished eighth out of the boys and fifth out of the girls (each out of 13 teams) at this weekend’s Mason Invitational. Lakota East junior Autumn Heath won the 100 and 200 meters, posting times of 12.50 and 25.18, respectively.

The GMC Track and Field Meet will begin at Atrium Stadium at Mason High School Wednesday. Field events, which include boys’ discuss and long jump, as well as girls’ shot put, high jump and pole vault, will begin at 4 p.m. Running prelims will begin at 5:30 p.m. On Friday, field events, which will include boys’ shot put, high jump and pole vault, as well as girls’ discus and long jump will begin at 4 p.m. and the running finals will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. The rain date is Saturday.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

The spring sports season is almost over.

The Lakota East and Lakota West baseball teams recently found out where they will be starting in the postseason. Lakota East (20-3, 14-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) is scheduled to host the winner of Tuesday’s Sycamore at Glen Este matchup on Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Lakota West (13-11, 8-8) will host Mt. Healthy Tuesday at 5 p.m. The winner advances to play at Hamilton Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m.

In softball, both Lakota West (16-6, 12-3) and Lakota East (17-8, 10-6) will have a bye in the postseason. West will host the winner of Tuesday’s Xenia at Miamisburg matchup Wednesday at 5 p.m., while East will play the winner of Tuesday’s Fairmont at Piqua matchup Wednesday at 5 p.m.

This week, the GMC Tennis Tournament will take place Thursday and Saturday at Mason High School. Play begins at 9 a.m. on both days. In the case of rain Thursday, the tournament will be rescheduled to Friday. If rain occurs Friday, the matches will be moved indoors to Mercy Fairfield.

Next week, the GMC Track and Field Meet will begin at Atrium Stadium at Mason High School Wednesday. Field events, which include boys’ discuss and long jump, as well as girls’ shot put, high jump and pole vault, will begin at 4 p.m. Running prelims will begin at 5:30 p.m. On Friday, May 17, field events, which will include boys’ shot put, high jump and pole vault, as well as girls’ discus and long jump will begin at 4 p.m. and the running finals will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students. The rain date is Saturday, May 18.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

The Lakota East baseball team continues to pile up wins, by defeating Fairfield by the scores of 7-0 and 11-5 this week. Those victories improved the Thunderhawks’ winning streak to 10 games.

On Friday, Lakota East (16-3, 12-2 in Greater Miami Conference) will host Oak Hills (12-8, 8-6) at 5 p.m.. On Saturday, East will play Walnut Hills at 11 a.m. and against Indian Hill at 3 p.m. East will wrap up the season next week with a game at Oak Hills Monday, at home against Lakota West (10-11, 6-8) Wednesday and at Lakota West next Friday, May 10; all games begin at 5 p.m.

The Firebirds split its games against Oak Hills this week, losing 5-2 on the road Monday and defeating the Highlanders 6-1 at home Wednesday. Lakota West will play at Sycamore (3-14, 2-12) Friday at 5 p.m. and at Springboro at noon Saturday. Besides the two games against East next week, West will also host Sycamore Monday at 5 p.m. and will play at Kings next Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Lakota West (13-5, 11-2) had an opportunity to takeover first place in the GMC, but lost to Oak Hills (18-3, 13-1) by the score of 1-0 Wednesday. It was the second loss to the Highlanders this season. West will play at Hamilton (3-17, 2-12) Friday at 4:30 p.m., will host Notre Dame at 11 a.m. Saturday and host Ursuline at 3 p.m. Saturday. Next week, West will wrap up the season with four road games, at Princeton (7-15, 1-13) Monday, at Sycamore (8-11, 4-9) Tuesday, at Colerain (14-7, 9-5) Wednesday and at Mason (15-5, 11-3) Friday; all games begin at 4:30 p.m.

Lakota East (15-6, 9-5) won both of its road games this week, defeating Princeton by the score of 6-5 Wednesday and Hamilton 13-1 Thursday. East will host Colerain Friday at 4:30 p.m. and then host Milford in a double header at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. Next week, East closes out the season with games at Mason Monday, vs. Middletown (4-18, 2-12) Wednesday and at Sycamore Thursday; all games begin at 4:30 p.m.

POSTSEASON

Baseball and softball postseason brackets will be announced Sunday.

The Division I boys’ tennis sectional tournament will be held at Mason High School Tuesday, May 14 through Saturday, May 18. Besides East and West, the sectional tournament will also include Moeller, Hamilton, Harrison, Kings, Loveland, Mason, Milford, Princeton, Ross, Sycamore, Talawanda and Winton Woods. The district tournament will be held at Centerville High School (south of Dayton) Thursday and Saturday, May 23 and May 25.

The Division I track district tournament will be held at Winton Woods High School Wednesday, May 22 and Friday, May 24. Besides East and West, the tournament will also include Colerain, Elder, Fairfield, Hamilton, Harrison, La Salle, Mt. Healthy, Northwest, Oak Hills, Ross, Talawanda, Western Hills, Winton Woods, McAuley, Mother of Merch, Seton and St. Ursula. The first four in each event at districts will qualify for the regional tournament Wednesday, May 29 and Friday, May 31 at Dayton Welcome Stadium.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

Tom Ramstetter reports:

Junior right-hander Ashley Sharp scattered four hits and three walks while striking out five Monday afternoon at Lakota West and the Firebirds outlasted neighborhood rival Lakota East 2-0 for West’s sixth straight shutout overall and 26th win in the all-time series.

Lakota West (12-4, 10-1 GMC), ranked No. 4 in the latest Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, is 26-8 against No. 5 Lakota East (12-6, 6-5) since the schools split in 1997, according to the Lakota West athletic department.

The Firebirds have outscored foes 39-0 during the shutout streak, but needed a perfect throw from sophomore second baseman Ashley Cummins for a game-ending out at the plate to preserve the scoreless stretch Monday.

Cummins ranged to her right to field a two-out ground ball off the bat of Thunderhawks junior third baseman Grace Sprockett, but Cummins bobbled the ball. With no chance to get Sprockett, Cummins fired the ball home to nail sophomore Kylie Dempsey. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

WestChesterBuzz.com also recently added a new video page last week. To view West Chester and Liberty Township related videos, visit westchesterbuzz.com/videos.

Liberty Township retail project has new look – A Columbus developer returned to Butler County Thursday with a slightly revised plan for the $300 million shopping destination spot it wants to build in Liberty Township, Sheila McLaughlin reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Yaromir Steiner, founder and chief executive officer of Steiner + Associates, is counting on $35 million from the county and township to make improvements around the 100-acre site, at Liberty Way west of Interstate 75.

West Chester Hospital tax status case watched closely – Butler County and the cash-strapped Lakota Local School District stand to lose a combined $43 million over the next 18 years if West Chester Hospital’s charitable tax status is upheld, Sheila McLaughlin of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported. County commissioners are appealing the case to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals, saying the county failed to receive a hearing on the matter. School officials are keeping an eye on it.

Summer’s Homearama being delayed until July – The director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati confirmed Thursday that due to unforeseen construction delays, that this summer’s Homearama at Carriage Hill in Liberty Township is being pushed back to July. It will be the latest summer Homearama, which will now take place July 13-28, in the 50-year history of the home showcase, according HBA executive director Dan Dressman. The event was previously scheduled to take place June 8-23.

Bridgewater Falls is back on the block – Fairfield Township’s upscale shopping center, Bridgewater Falls, is for sale. And this time it’s for a positive reason, Cindi Andrews reported for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Blue Ash-based Phillips Edison bought Bridgewater Falls out of foreclosure in 2010. It boosted occupancy to 97 percent and is now testing the possibility of cashing in on its investment.

Kroger Marketplace discussion to be revisited – Last month, a Blue Ash developer scrapped plans to bring a Kroger Marketplace to West Chester after local residents convinced the township’s zoning commission that it wasn’t good idea. The developer, Silverman and Company, is considering a new plan, but wanted to hear from their opposition first by hosting a public input meeting at the Wingate Inn Thursday. During that meeting, many residents continued to voice their concerns.

Larry Sykes named Lakota East girls’ basketball coach – Larry Sykes was named the Lakota East girls’ basketball coach Tuesday. Sykes, an assistant at Lakota East the past two seasons, was formerly the Purcell Marian head coach during the 2010-11 season. Sykes, 40, replaces Nikki Drew, who stepped down at the end of this past season in order to spend more time with her family.

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Tags: Tags: Carriage Hill, Carriage Hill Liberty Township, Carriage House Liberty Township, Crossings of Beckett, Home Builders Association, Homearama, Homearama 2013, Homearama Cincinnati, Homearama Cincinnati 2013, Homearama Liberty Township, Homearama Liberty Township 2013, housing, housing development, housing development plan, Interstate 75, Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Kroger Marketplace West Chester, Kroger West Chester, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota school district, Larry Sykes, Larry Sykes Lakota East, Liberty Center, Liberty Center Liberty Township Ohio, Liberty Center shopping center, Liberty Town Square, Liberty Township business news, Liberty Way, Liberty Way Interchange, Liberty Way project, Libertytown LLC, Nikki Drew, Nikki Drew Lakota East, Nikki Drew Xavier, Randy Terry, Silverman and Company, Steiner + Associates, Tom Eggert, West Chester Hospital, West Chester Hospital taxes, West Chester Medical Center, West Chester Township Zoning Commission

The Thunderhawks are quietly putting together another strong season and after defeating Middletown Friday. They have now won eight straight games and improved their record to 14-3 overall and 10-2 within the Greater Miami Conference.

Normally, that record would put a team in prime position to win a GMC title. However, this season, Lakota East still trails Mason (16-0, 11-0). Earlier this month, Mason handed East two of its three losses, by the scores of 5-2 April 8 and 8-1 April 10.

This week, East will play at Fairfield (9-8, 6-6) Monday, will host Fairfield Wednesday and host Oak Hills (9-6, 6-5) Friday. All games begin at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lakota West (9-10, 5-7) split a doubleheader against Lebanon Saturday. This week, the Firebirds will visit Oak Hills Monday, will host Oak Hills Wednesday and will play at Sycamore (1-13, 0-11) Friday. Again, all games begin at 5 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Lakota West (11-4, 9-1) will have a chance to take over first place in the GMC this week. It won’t be easy, however, as the Firebirds have to host their school district rival Lakota East (12-5, 6-4) Monday before hosting Mason (12-4, 9-2) Tuesday and then hosting Oak Hills (15-3, 10-1) Wednesday.

If the Firebirds can win out, they will be in prime position to repeat as GMC regular season champions with seven games remaining.

Lakota East lost to Oak Hills, by the score of 1-0 Friday. It was the second time this spring that East lost to the Highlanders in a 1-0 game. After Monday’s game at West, East will play at Middletown (3-15, 1-9) Tuesday, at Princeton (7-12, 1-10) Wednesday, at Hamilton (3-14, 2-9) Thursday and will host Colerain (11-6, 7-5) Friday. All games, including West’s games this week, begin at 4:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West baseball, Lakota West softball, Lakota West sports

In the middle of a pitchers’ duel, Oak Hills coach Jackie Cornelius-Bedel picked the right time to take a chance.

After reaching on an error, senior Devan Colebank was standing on second base with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. At the plate, senior Lauren Slatten hit a routine grounder to the shortstop, but the ball was bobbled by Lakota East junior Kadey Astrop.

“It was going to be whatever team made a tiny mistake that was going to determine who was going to win this game because there were two great pitchers going head-to-head,” Cornelius-Bedel said.

After mishandling the grounder, Astrop tossed the ball from her knees to junior first baseman Taylor Fair and Slatten beat the throw in a play that wasn’t close.

Meanwhile, Colebank raced home to score without the ball ever leaving the infield.

“With Devan you can’t make a mistake or pause with the ball because she is so fast,” Cornelius-Bedel said. “Anybody else, we wouldn’t have been able to do that, but Devan we could. She is lightning.”

For the Highlanders, who are No. 3 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, it was their second 1-0 win against No. 5 Lakota East this month. Prior to the season, Oak Hills had been swept by the Thunderhawks seven consecutive years – losing 14 straight.

A big reason for the turnaround has been the play of Slatten, who struck out nine in her sixth shutout of the season. With her latest gem, her season strikeout total increased to 192 in 101 innings of work. Slatten also improved her record to 13-3.

“Oak Hills has really good pitching and that makes a lot of other things come together,” Lakota East coach Steve Castner said. “That has been the difference in their team the past two years, really good pitching.

“(Slatten) did very well, but I think our pitcher did just as well.”

Lakota East did receive a strong performance from senior Lea Buckenmyer, who allowed only two hits and walked none.

But it came down to back-to-back errors that unjustly gave Buckenmyer the loss.

“That is the way it is when you put two good pitchers against each other with pretty good defenses. If someone makes a mistake or strings a couple of hits together, that makes all the difference,” Castner said.

W–Slatten (13-2, 9 K’s), L–Buckenmyer (8-4). Leaders: O–Slatten RBI. Records: Oak Hills 13-3, 10-1 in GMC; Lakota East 12-5, 6-4.

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Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East softball, Lakota East Sports, Oak Hills, Oak Hills softball, Oak Hills sports