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The Firebirds may have finished the regular season with a losing record within conference play, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a run in the postseason.

That run continued Thursday when Lakota West – not ranked in The Enquirer’s final top ten coaches’ poll – shutout No. 7 Harrison by the score of 3-0 in a sectional final at Kings High School. In the sectional semifinal, West knocked off No. 5 Hamilton by the score of 5-3.

In the latest win, junior Grant Schuermann improved his record to 6-2 on the year and struck out 11 batters in a complete game shutout.

West (16-13) will now face Northmont (20-7) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Centerville High School.

WP-Schuermann (6-2, 11 K’s); LP-Glines (6-1). Leaders: LW-Griffiths 2-4; S. Harrison 2-3; Allinger 2B; Addington 3B; Johnson 2B, RBI. Records: L 16-13, H 19-9.

POSTSEASON GAMES THIS WEEKEND

No. 3 Lakota East (24-3) and No. 6 Loveland (20-6) will play their Division I sectional baseball championship game at 5 p.m. today at Western Hills High School. The game was postponed Thursday because of weather. If East wins, it will then have to take on Troy at 11 a.m. Saturday at Centerville High School.

No. 6 Lakota East (22-8) and No. 1 Lebanon (24-2) will play at 5 p.m. today at Northmont High School. East won a sectional title with its 11-inning, 4-2 win against Centerville Monday.

Lakota East and Lakota West athletes will wrap up the Division I track district tournament today at Winton Woods High School. The first four in each event at districts will qualify for the regional tournament next Wednesday, May 29 and next Friday, May 31 at Dayton Welcome Stadium.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

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

A total of 17 student athletes were recognized Thursday during a special spring signing event at Lakota West High School. Overall, athletes from 10 different sports at Lakota West selected to attend 14 colleges and universities from the around the country.

Among those recognized, five will be competing for Division I programs, the highest level of collegiate sports. That includes Monty Boykins, who will play basketball at Lafayette College; Daulton Frasier, who will play football at Miami University; Nicholas Lang, who will play tennis at Northern Kentucky University; Morgan Montgomery, who will be a cheerleader at University of Louisville; and Morgan Riley, who will be a cheerleader at Bowling Green State University.

• Ryan Addinton – baseball – Carson Newman University
• Ali Barnes – basketball – Concord University
• Monty Boykins – basketball – Lafayette College
• Michael Carter – football – Heidelberg University
• Daulton Frasier – football – Miami University
• Erik Hunkemoeller – baseball – Capital University
• Nicholas Lang – tennis – Northern Kentucky University
• Liam Maloney – football – Morehead State University
• Ryan Martin – football – Capital University
• Joe McClanahan – soccer – University of Findlay
• Morgan Montgomery – cheerleading – University of Louisville
• Zach Moo Young – basketball – Oberlin College
• John Raker – swimming – Ohio Northern University
• Morgan Riley – cheerleading – Bowling Green State University
• Luke Scott – football and lacrosse – Capital University
• Rikkie Shumad – swimming – Urbana University
• Will Wilson – track and field – Ohio Northern University

Boykins, who committed to Lafayette in late February, was leading his team in scoring this season until he tore his ACL at the end of the Fairfield game Dec. 28, which was the Firebirds’ seventh game of the 2012-2013 regular season. Including that game, Boykins had been averaging 17.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

The 6-foot-4 guard also had offers Duquesne, Miami (Ohio), Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kennesaw State, James Madison, Bowling Green, Kent State, Eastern Kentucky and Robert Morris.

This spring’s group joins the 17 others, who participated in a signing event in early February. Those student athletes included Ben Pendery (football – Dayton), Marshall Stretch (golf – Ohio Dominican), Kyle Meadows (football – Kentucky), Margaret Hare (soccer – Xavier), Audrey Jennings (lacrosse – Queens University of Charlotte), Andres Martinez (golf – Heidelberg), Elle Nguyen (soccer – Northern Kentucky), Ryan Ostendorf (baseball – Wooster), Bryan McNamara (swimming – Miami of Ohio), Nicole Soutar (tennis – Northern Kentucky), Jeffrey Wray (golf – Cincinnati State), Nick Bengal (football – Gannon), Tori Turner (tennis – Wright State), Drew Garbenis (football – Robert Morris), Annie Bierman (volleyball – Furman), Mike Kelly (football – Navy) and Mandy Stanislovaitis (volleyball – Adelphi).

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

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lafayette, Monty Boykins Lafayette basketball, Monty Boykins Lakota West, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting

Pending school board approval, Scott Kaufman will join the administrative team at Lakota East High School serving as an assistant principal and also as athletic director. Kaufman is currently serving as the athletic director at Wyoming High School.

Kaufman will replace athletic director Richard Bryant and Lakota East assistant principal Gerry Weisgerber. Bryant will become assistant principal and athletic director at Lakota West High School, also pending board approval. Weisgerber is retiring.

This past school year, Bryant had been serving as the athletic director at both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools. Prior to that, he became athletic director and assistant principal at Lakota East in 2009.

“Scott is an outstanding educator and brings a wealth of experience to Lakota East,” Lakota East principal Suzanna Davis said. “I have no doubt with Scott’s strong leadership, our athletic and academic programs will be pushed to new levels.”

Kaufman started his professional career as a middle school math teacher at Princeton Junior High. He served from 1998 to 2011 as the athletic director at Princeton High School. In 2011, he was named athletic director at Wyoming High School.

Kaufman graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. with a bachelor of science in education. He earned a master of education in 2005 and his principal licensure in 2012, both from Xavier University.

Posted in: Board of Education, Fall sports, Schools, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Richard Bryant, Scott Kaufman

The University of Kentucky is continuing its pursuit of Lakota West football players, as the school became the first to extend a scholarship offer to sophomore outside linebacker C.J. Stalker.

Stalker, who is 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, received the offer this week, according to Lakota West head coach Larry Cox. Stalker also plays basketball and runs track for Lakota West.

• Cincinnati Enquirer’s recruiting blog
• Lakota West Signing Day
• Lakota East Signing Day
• VIDEO: GMC Signing Day
• UK coach talks about Kyle Meadows
• Running back Mikel Horton commits to Kentucky
• VIDEO: Lakota West LB C.J. Stalker highlights

In February 2012, on National Signing Day, Stalker’s older brother Cole, who also was a linebacker, signed on to play football at Findlay University.

Since UK hired Mark Stoops as its head coach in late November, the SEC school has been targeting players from Lakota West High School. In February, senior offensive tackle Kyle Meadows signed with UK. Then, in April, junior running back Mikel Horton verbally committed to UK. Both Meadows and Horton had numerous offers from other major Division I programs.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: C.J. Stalker, C.J. Stalker football recruiting, C.J. Stalker Lakota West, Kentucky football recruiting, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, linebacker C.J. Stalker, Mikel Horton, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, University of Kentucky

It took 11 innings, but Lakota East advanced past Centerville in a 4-2 win Monday at Miamisburg High School. Meanwhile, Lakota West was eliminated from postseason play when it lost by the score of 2-1 Monday at West Carrollton.

In the 4-2 win, senior Lea Buckenmyer struck out nine and went 3-for-6 at the plate.

With the win, the Thunderhawks (21-8) will play Lebanon (24-2) in a district final matchup Friday at 5 p.m. at Northmont High School.

With the loss, Lakota West finishes the season with a 20-7 overall record. The Firebirds finished the regular season with a 15-3 record within the Greater Miami Conference, which was good enough for second place.

Lakota East 4, Centerville 2

W–Buckenmyer (16-7, 9 Ks); L–Samborsky. Leaders: L–Buckenmyer 3-6; Sprockett 2-5; Callihan 2B, GW RBI; Messer 2-4, RBI; Fair 2-6, 2B, RBI; Manning 2-5, RBI. C–Scholle 2-6; Guancile 2-5; Wynn 2-5; Herlihy 2-4. Records: L 21-8, C 22-6.

BASEBALL

Lakota East, ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, will play in a sectional final against No. 6 Loveland (20-6) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Western Hills. Lakota West, which upset No. 5 Hamilton Friday, will now play No. 7 Harrison (18-8) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kings High School.

TRACK

The Division I track district tournament will be held at Winton Woods High School Wednesday and Friday. 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 Mercy, Seton and St. Ursula. The first four in each event at districts will qualify for the regional tournament next Wednesday, May 29 and next 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

Surabhi Tewari, a junior at Lakota West High School, earned a top composite score of 36 on the ACT test. Nationally, on average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. Among all test takers in the high school graduating class of 2012, only 781 of more than 1.66 million students earned a perfect score.

Tewari had a GPA of 4.9 after her first semester this school year. While she has not yet narrowed down her top choices for college, she is interested in pursuing a career in medicine or engineering. According to her mother, Jaya Tewari, she often talks about Washington University in St. Louis and has dreamed of going to Duke University since her freshman year.

“Surabhi is oftentimes recommended for scholarships, awards and leadership positions,” said Lakota West counselor Andrea Bryant. “The staff thinks very highly of her and she has certainly earned their respect, including my own.”

Tewari is co-president of Lakota West’s math team and is also involved in InterAlliance and Relay for Life. She was voted next year’s co-president of student government and spends much of her time volunteering as a peer mentor and tutor for students with special needs in the district.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. Some students also take ACT’s optional writing test, but the score for that test is reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West High School, perfect ACT, Surabhi Tewari, Surabhi Tewari Lakota West, Surabhi Tewari perfect ACT

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