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The Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs found out Sunday afternoon where, when and who they will play in the Division I district tournament. The drawing was held at Wyoming High School.

Lakota West (13-6 overall, 10-3 in the Greater Miami Conference), which received the No. 9 seed, will open postseason play against the No. 28 seed Loveland Tigers (6-12 overall, 6-8 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Hamilton at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. The Firebirds still have a regular season game left on the schedule, which will be at home against Hamilton at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, the No. 19 seed Lakota East Thunderhawks (7-12 overall, 4-9 in the GMC) will face No. 12 seed Western Hills (12-6 overall, 6-5 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) at Hamilton at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Lakota East also has one game left in the regular season, which will be played at home against Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: boys' basketball Cincinnati district tournament, boys' basketball district tournament, district tournament, district tournament Cincinnati, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports

The Mason Comets (14-6 overall, 10-4 in the Greater Miami Conference) defeated a Lakota West (12-8 overall, 7-7 in the GMC) team, who had won six of its last seven games, by the score of 46-27 Saturday afternoon.

Mason senior Brianna Glover, who will continue her career at Xavier University, led all players in scoring with 20 points and in rebounds with 10.

Meanwhile, off the bench, senior Ali Zieverink scored 13 points in only nine minutes of playing time for the Firebirds.

The game officially ends the regular season for both teams.

For Lakota West, the postseason will begin Wednesday at 6 p.m. when it will face Loveland (4-16 overall, 3-13 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Harrison High School. Mason, on the other hand, will begin its postseason Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lakota East High School where it will play the winner of a Wednesday night matchup between Mt. Notre Dame (5-15 overall, 2-8 in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League) and Anderson (14-6 overall, 11-5 in the FAVC).

Mason 46, Lakota West 27

Lakota West (12-8, 7-7 in the GMC) – Cannatelli 3 0 7, Mills 1 0 2, Zieverink 6 1 13, Sh. Reeves 2 0 5. Totals: 121 27.

Mason (14-6 overall, 10-4 in the GMC) – Glover 7 5 20, McDowell 2 4 8, Neal 1 4 6, Garner 0 1 1, Herren 1 1 3, Gunn 2 2 6, Ammons 1 0 2. Totals: 14 17 46.

Halftime: Mason 23-8. 3-pointers: L 2 (Cannatelli, Sh. Reeves); M 1 (Glover).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Zieverink, Brianna Glover, Brianna Glover Xavier, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports

Lakota West junior guard Ali Barnes made seven of his 11 three-point attempts and scored 25 points in an 82-73 win against Sycamore Friday. It was the Firebirds’ fifth straight win.

Fellow junior Monty Boykins scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds in the win. Teammates sophomore guard Tyler Williams (18 points, four assists) and senior forward Jackson Blue (10 points, 14 rebounds) made key contributions for Lakota West.

Meanwhile, Sycamore received strong performances from junior Joey Gruden (25 points, six rebounds), senior A.J. Williams (12 points, five rebounds) and junior Mason Morgan (14 points, 10 rebounds). Gruden made seven of his eight three-point attempts.

With the win, Lakota West improved its overall record to 13-6 and its record within the Greater Miami Conference to 10-3. The Firebirds are currently tied with Mason (16-3 overall, 10-3 in the GMC) for second place in the GMC – only one game behind Middletown (14-5 overall, 11-2 in the GMC).

The Firebirds, which will receive its postseason draw Sunday, has one more regular season game left that will be played next Friday at home at 7:30 p.m. against Hamilton (4-15 overall, 2-11 in the GMC). Meanwhile, Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) will wrap up its season next Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota East (7-12 overall, 4-9 in the GMC).

Lakota West 82, Sycamore 73

Lakota West (13-6 overall, 10-3 in the GMC) – Blue 3 4 10, Barnes 9 2 27, Stalker 2 1 5, Williams 5 3 16, Martin 2 0 4, Boykins 7 3 20. Totals: 28 13 82.

Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC) – Gruden 9 0 25, Hill 3 0 9, Farquhar 0 4 4, Faust 0 1 1, Gray 1 2 4, Brown 2 0 4, Morgan 7 0 14, Williams 5 2 12. Totals: 27 9 73.

Halftime: Lakota West 32-31. 3-pointers: L 13 (Barnes 7, Williams 3, Boykins 3); S 10 (Gruden 7, Hill 3).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: A.J. Williams, Ali Barnes, Joey Gruden, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Mason Morgan, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week. Freshman Lauren Cannatelli and junior Bryan McNamara received the honor at Lakota West, while seniors Alissa Bryant and Grant Wall were honored at Lakota East.

Cannatelli has played a big role in Lakota West’s recent hot streak, which has included six wins in the last seven games. During that span, the freshman has scored in double figures three times. Furthermore, against rival Lakota East Feb. 1, she made a three pointer in the final quarter to produce the ninth and final lead change of the contest.

McNamara was the only Firebird to win an individual championship in the Greater Miami Conference meet at Mason last Saturday. He earned all GMC honors in each of the four events he participated in capped by his all GMC first team honor for winning the 500-yard free style event.

Bryant is a senior cheerleader at Lakota East, while Grant Wall is on the Lakota East boys’ basketball team. According to EastThunderhawks.com, Wall is the best on ball defender on the team. He is a great example of understanding his role and being a great teammate. He is also a member of our “Black Shirt Club.”

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, Lakota athletes of the week, Lakota East, Lakota East athletics, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East cheerleading, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West swimming

For the second time this season Notre Dame (Ky.) lost to a team from the Lakota school district. The latest loss took place Wednesday when Lakota West defeated the Pandas by the score of 50-38.

The victory was the Firebirds’ sixth in the last seven games. Meanwhile, the loss was the fourth of the season for Notre Dame (20-4).

Trailing 11-6 after the first quarter, Lakota West dominated the second quarter and went into halftime with a 30-15 lead.

Overall, 10 Firebirds scored in the win.

Lakota West (12-7 overall, 7-6 in the Greater Miami Conference) will wrap up the regular season at Mason (13-6 overall, 9-4 in the GMC) Saturday at 2 p.m. The Firebirds will then open postseason play next Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Loveland (4-15 overall, 3-12 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference) at Harrison High School.

Lakota West 50, Notre Dame 38

Notre Dame (20-4 overall) – Schilling 3 3 9, Ogle 1 0 2, Bernhard 1 1 3, Yung 1 3 5, Thelen 2 5 9, Clark 2 4 10. Totals 10 16 38.

Lakota West (12-7, 7-6 in the GMC) – Zieverink 3 2 8, Sh. Reeves 2 0 6, Huxhold 1 0 3, Adams 0 1 1, Cannatelli 2 0 6, Carter 1 0 2, Tomasic 3 1 7, Niehaus 3 0 8, Su. Reeves 1 5 7, McNeal 0 2 2. Totals 16 11 50.

Halftime: Lakota West 30-15. 3-Pointers: N 2 (Clark); L 7 (Sh. Reeves 2, Cannatelli 2, Niehaus 2, Huxhold)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Notre Dame Academy

After losing by the score of 74-34 to Lakota East last season, Lakota West has defeated its school district rival twice this winter in two closely contested basketball games. The latest victory for the Firebirds took place Tuesday when they outscored Lakota East 30-17 in the second half en route to a 57-46 win.

Leading the second half surge was junior guard Ali Barnes, who sparked a 14-3 Lakota West scoring run in the fourth quarter. During the scoring run, Barnes scored six of his team-leading 14 points.

Barnes’ backcourt teammates, sophomores Tyler Williams and Malik Grove turned in key performances in the win. Williams, who made a three pointer to force the final lead change in the fourth quarter, finished with 11 points. Grove, who has playing well on the junior varsity level recently, scored seven points and led the team in rebounding with seven boards in limited playing time.

For Lakota East, junior Robbie Harpring led all scorers with 15 points. He also had six rebounds. Harpring’s freshman teammate, forward Myo Baxter, finished with a career high 14 points in the loss.

The win puts Lakota West (12-6 overall, 9-3 in the Greater Miami Conference) in a two-way tie for second place in the GMC standings. Meanwhile, Lakota East (6-12 overall, 3-9 in the GMC) is tied for seventh place out of 10 teams in the GMC.

Lakota West, which has won four games in a row, will play at Sycamore (6-12 overall, 2-10 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Also in action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Lakota East will host Oak Hills (7-10 overall, 5-7 in the GMC).

Lakota West 57, Lakota East 47

Lakota East (6-12, 3-9 in the GMC) – Emrick 2 1 5, Harpring 6 1 15, Lowry 3 0 6, Baxter 6 2 14, Bah 1 0 2, Panzeca 1 2 4. Totals 19 6 46.

Lakota West (12-6, 9-3 in the GMC) – Blue 2 1 5, Barnes 5 4 14, Stalker 2 0 4, Williams 4 2 11, Boykins 2 3 7, Ross 3 1 7, Thomas 1 0 2, Grove 3 0 7. Totals 22 11 57.

Halftime: Lakota East 29-27. 3-pointers: LE 2 (Harpring 2), LW 2 (Williams, Grove).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Malik Grove, Malik Grove Lakota West, Myo Baxter, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

The regular season will end this week for both the Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball programs. Each team will play an out-of-conference opponent Wednesday night before capping off the regular season against a Greater Miami Conference foe on the road Saturday afternoon.

As it stands, Lakota East (11-7 overall, 8-5 in the GMC) and Lakota West (11-7 overall, 7-6) are in the middle of the pack in regards to the conference standings.

In boys’ basketball, Lakota West (11-6 overall, 8-3 in the GMC) will host Lakota East (6-11 overall, 3-8 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, also taking place this week, are the swimming and diving sectionals. The diving portion will take place Feb. 7-8 at Miami University, while the swimming portion will take place Feb. 10-11 at St. Xavier’s Keating Natatorium.

See below for the weekly Lakota varsity high school sports schedule:

Monday, Feb. 6

Lakota East – bowling – at Reading at 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Lakota West – bowling (boys) – vs. St. Xavier at 4 p.m.
Lakota East and Lakota West – boys’ diving – sectional meet at Miami University at 6 p.m.
Lakota East at Lakota West – boys’ basketball – at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Lakota East – bowling – vs. Tri w/ St. X/Ursuline at 3:30 p.m.
Lakota East and Lakota West – girls’ diving – sectional meet at Miami University at 6 p.m.
Lakota East – girls’ basketball – vs. Bellbrook at 7:30 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ basketball – vs. Notre Dame (Ky.) at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Lakota East – bowling – at Badin at 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 10

Lakota East and Lakota West – boys’ swimming– sectional meet at Keating Natatorium at 6 p.m.
Lakota East – boys’ basketball – vs. Oak Hills at 7:30 p.m.
Lakota West – boys’ basketball – at Sycamore at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Lakota East and Lakota West – girls’ swimming– sectional meet at Keating Natatorium at 11 a.m.
Lakota East – girls’ basketball – at Hamilton at 2 p.m.
Lakota West – girls’ basketball – at Mason at 2 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletic weekly schedule, GMC swimming meet. Greater Miami Conference swimming meet, GMC wrestling meet, Greater Miami Conference wrestling meet, Lakota East, Lakota East athletic schedule, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East bowling, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletic schedule, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West bowling, Lakota West sports, schedule, sports schedule

The Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball programs found out Sunday afternoon where, when and who they will play in the Division I district tournament. The drawing was held at Wyoming High School, which will also host the boys’ basketball district tournament drawing this Sunday at 2 p.m.

Lakota East, which received the No. 4 seed, will have a bye before beginning the postseason. The Thunderhawks’ first playoff game will take place at Kings High School at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 against the winner of the matchup between No. 16 seed Hamilton (11-7 overall, 5-7 in the Greater Miami Conference) and No. 18 seed Glen Este (9-9 overall, 5-9 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference).

Meanwhile, Lakota West, which received the No. 8 seed, will open against No. 28 seed Loveland (4-13 overall, 3-10 in the FAVC) at Harrison High School at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. The winner of that game will advance to play No. 27 seed Western Hills (10-7 overall, 7-4 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference) at Harrison at 6 p.m. Feb. 21.

Both teams will wrap up the regular season this week.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: district tournament, district tournament Cincinnati, girls' basketball Cincinnati district tournament, girls' basketball district tournament, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports

Lakota West or Lakota East supporters can bring in three articles of new or gently used clothing and get a discounted ticket price of $1 to the Lakota East vs. Lakota West boys’ basketball game Tuesday.

The clothing drive is hosted by the Lakota West Student Government.

Prior to the game, the Lakota West athletic boosters will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser in the Lakota West High School cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner cost $7 for adults and $5 for students (children under 5 are free). Tickets are presale only and can be purchased through Lakota West Athletic Department or at the Lakota West High School basketball concession stand during home games.

Raymond’s Pizza, 7328 Yankee Road in Liberty Township, will prepare the spaghetti dinner.

The basketball game itself is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota West Tuesday. In this season’s previous meeting, Lakota West defeated Lakota East 56-51.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota clothing drive, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West clothing drive, Lakota West spaghetti dinner, Lakota West sports, Raymond's Pizza, Raymond's Pizza Liberty Township

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 morning. (Stories are listed in order of date)

West Chester Police identify passengers in fatal crash: Two people, who were killed in a strange crash Jan. 29 were identified and both tested positive for alcohol, according to information provided by the West Chester Police Department last Monday. The men, German Francisco Mejia-Rodriguez and Jorge Rosalio Rodriguez Lopez, are believed to have died from blunt-impact injuries and may have been dead for more than four hours by the time the wreckage was discovered.

Liberty Town Square gets key go-ahead: Liberty Town Square, billed as the largest retail development ever in Butler County, cleared a key hurdle this past Monday when county commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding. The $300 million project, with its promise of 3,200 jobs during construction and another 4,600 permanent jobs for people who work there when shops open, languished for several years because of the economy.

Steel beams installed by J&B Steel being examined: The Cincinnati Enquirer reported last Tuesday that steel beams fabricated by a Jackson, Miss., firm and installed by J&B Steel Erectors Inc. of West Chester will be examined as part of dual investigations into the collapse Jan. 27 of the future Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati. Investigators are trying to determine why a steel beam supporting a section of the second floor collapsed while cement workers poured concrete on sheet metal on top of it.

Lakota student athletes honored on Signing Day: A total 30 seniors from Lakota high schools were honored on National Signing Day last Wednesday. Signing Day marks the first day high school football, soccer and cross country athletes can sign letters of intent. Many high schools across the country, like Lakota East and Lakota West, hosted special signing ceremonies throughout the week.

Lakota West upsets Lakota East: Down by a point with 10 seconds to go, Lakota East missed two shots as the game clock expired in a 40-39 loss to rival Lakota West Wednesday. The Firebirds’ win snapped a three-game losing steak against Lakota East. Prior to Lakota East’s three-game winning streak, Lakota West had taken down the Thunderhawks in 18 straight contests.

Lakota proceeds with $9 million in cuts: Before Lakota Schools can tackle its looming budget shortfall, all officials need to be on the same page – especially administrators and the governing board, said Superintendent Karen Mantia. Mantia, at last Wednesday’s board meeting, asked for clarification as to whether its five members agree that cutting $9 million to balance next school year’s budget is the way to go. After board discussion, members agreed and unanimously voted to order Mantia’s administration to proceed with planning the $9 million in reductions.

Anniversary of VOA marks beginning of national museum: Voice of America, which sent its original broadcast overseas 70 years ago this month, will see backers of its first-built transmitting station begin fundraising this year to become a national museum. Once restoration is completed in the spring, it will be up to the museum’s board of directors to raise approximately $12 million to make it a revenue generating landmark.

Lakota West knocks off Mason, 73-65: Senior wing Jackson Blue calmly hit two free throws with 45 seconds, as the Firebirds held on to upset Mason 73-65 last Friday night at Mason. The win moved Lakota West into a four-way tie for second place in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds have won three games in a row and have three more to play until the regular season is over.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

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