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Seniors Tyrez Shipmon and Mea Williams participated in a special signing day event at Lakota West High School March 7, 2011. At the event, Shipmon signed a letter of intent to play football at Central State University, while Williams signed on to play basketball at Wilmington College.

Shipmon (photo – right – click to enlarge), who was also considering Miami (Ohio), Georgetown and Jacksonville State, picked CSU “because of God, prayer, the coaching staff and school history.” Furthermore, Shipmon’s brother (Terrance), who will be a sophomore at CSU in the fall, helped Tyrez with his decision.

Williams, who has been a member of the Lakota West varsity basketball team for the past three seasons, was also considering Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, St. Bonaventure and Mt. Saint Joe.

“I felt Wilmington would be the best fit for me,” Williams said in a release. “You have to do what is best for you, not what is a good look for you. Wilmington feels just like home to me and the team has a lot of great people to be around.”

So far this school year, including Shipmon and Williams, 22 Lakota West High School student athletes have signed to play sports in college. Nine other students signed during the February National Signing Day period and 11 signed during November’s Signing Day period.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, Central State University, football, girls' basketball, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mea Williams, National Signing Day, Tyrez Shipmon, Wilmington College

Lakota West snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Hamilton, by the score of 49-30, last night, Jan. 19, at Lakota West High School. Prior to the two-game losing streak, the Firebirds experienced a seven-game winning streak.

Last night, Lakota West was able to jump out to 11-1 lead in the first quarter. Hamilton, however, erased much of that lead, in the second quarter as it outscored the Firebirds 14-5 in that frame.

With only a 16-15 lead at halftime, Lakota West played well in the second half and outscored the Big Blue 33-15 in the last two quarters.

Junior Rachel Huxhold and senior Mea Williams led Lakota West with 11 points. The scoring total was a career high for both players.

According to westfirebirds.com, senior Ronni Grandison, junior Summer Reeves, and freshman Amanda Gallof were unavailable due to a combination of illness and injury.

With the win, Lakota West improves its record to 9-5 overall and 5-3 within the Greater Miami Conference.

The Firebirds’ next opponent will be Lakota East (10-3 overall and 5-3 in the GMC). That game will take place this Saturday, Jan. 22, at Lakota West High School.

Pictures provided by Mark Ferland/Ferland Fotos. For more photos of other Lakota West athletic events visit ferlandfotos.smugmug.com.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Amanda Gallof, basketball, girls' basketball, Hamilton, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mea Williams, Rachel Huxhold, Ronni Grandison, Summer Reeves

The Lakota West girls’ basketball program will have its home opener this Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. against Mason.

Last season, the Lakota West was able to squeak out a 36-35 win against its Greater Miami Conference rival, the Mason Comets. Sophomore forward Tazzie Shaw, who has since transferred to Lakota East, led both teams with 12 points.

Not only has Shaw left the team, but so has last season’s leading scorer in Kindsay Brandt. Lakota West does return senior Ronni Grandison, who has accepted a basketball scholarship at the University of Massachusetts.

“Ronni exemplifies all that is great in our program,” Lakota West head coach Andy Fishman said. “She is a great teammate and super hard worker who learns and plays with an always positive attitude and no ego interference. She is totally focused on getting better and helping her team win. We count on her for scoring, rebounding and overall toughness.”

In addition to Grandison, Lakota West returns senior Mea Williams, junior Summer Reeves, junior Shabazz Reeves, junior Bari Schartz and junior Olivia Wrencher.

“From the first day of practice to where she is now, Olivia has made more improvement than most of the players I have ever coached,” Fishman said of his 6-foot-3 center. “She is absorbing our coaching and on pace to be a more dominant player each game.” (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Bari Schartz, basketball, girls' basketball, Kayla McDowell, Kindsay Brandt, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Mea Williams, Olivia Wrencher, Ronni Grandison, Sarah Ammons, Sarah Hunter, Shabazz Reeves, Tazzie Shaw