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The Lakota East baseball and softball teams both won their regional semifinal matches on Friday, May 27, by one run. The baseball team defeated Northmont by the score of 1-0, while the softball team defeated Wayne by the score of 3-2.

The Lakota East baseball team won in the 12th inning after a ground ball by senior Zak Kloenne found the outfield and scored senior Craig Thomson, who had doubled off the left field fence earlier in the inning. The win advances the Thunderhawks to their second Division I regional final in school history.

Lakota East (22-7 overall) will now face Butler (27-3 overall) at noon today, May 28, at University of Cincinnati’s Marge Schott Stadium. The Thunderhawks head coach Ray Hamilton had planned to start UC commit senior pitcher Evan Hills this afternoon, but may after to find another starter after Hills threw five scoreless innings of relief on Friday.

Hills (photo from an earlier game this season) combined with starter junior Mike Conrad to throw 12 shutout innings in the win, struck out 12 and to hold Northmont hitters to four hits in 37 at-bats. Conrad and Hills had been the Thunderhawks’ most-used pitchers all season long.

“All I know is we’re playing in the region finals and I don’t care who we’re throwing,” Lakota East coach Ray Hamilton told Cincinnati.com. “I’m not concerned. This team comes to play every day.”

Meanwhile, the Lakota East softball team also had a dramatic win on Friday. After giving up a 2-0 lead, the Thunderhawks found themselves tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. That was when senior catcher Kelly Hardison, who holds the single season record for home runs in the Greater Miami Conference, hit her ninth homer of season.

“It felt good right when I hit it,” Hardison told Cincinnati.com of her walk-off home run.”

Lakota East senior pitcher Sara Pearson improved her record to 23-2 and struck out nine batters in the win.

Lakota East (28-2) will play Lakota West (20-4 overall) in the regional final today, May 28, at 5 p.m. at Mason High School. The Firefirds are the only team that has been able to defeat Lakota East all season. Lakota West defeated the Thunderhawks by the score of 2-0 in late March and by the score of 2-0 in early May.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, Craig Thomson, Evan Hills, Kelly Hardison, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Mike Conrad, Ray Hamilton, regional final, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, Sara Pearson, softball, Zak Kloenne

The Lakota West baseball team saw its postseason run end with a 5-3 loss to Grove City in the Division I regional semifinal at Dublin Coffman High School on Friday, May 27.

Lakota West only managed to register two hits and committed three errors in the loss.

“We just didn’t get it done,” Lakota West head coach Bill Dreisbach told Cincinnati.com. “I think more breaks went against us than for us today.”

The Firebirds advanced to the regional final after winning four postseason games en route to a district title. Three of those wins were against teams – Anderson (No. 4 seed), Mason (No. 7 seed) and Glen Este (No. 5 seed) – who were each favored to defeat the eighth-seeded Lakota West squad.

Lakota West finishes the season with a 17-12 overall record and a 9-9 record within the Greater Miami Conference.

Tennis – Mueck advances in state tournament – Lakota East No. 1 singles player junior Zach Mueck won both of his matches at the Division I state singles tournament at Hillard Davidson High School on Friday. Mueck defeated Shaker Heights senior Tommy Marx by the score of 6-1, 6-1 in the first round before defeating Dublin Coffman junior Hiromi Nakayama in the second round by the score of 6-2, 6-1. Meanwhile, Lakota East teammate and Xavier University commit senior Freddy Abunku lost his first round match at the state tournament losing to Lodi Cloverleaf freshman Jacob Dunbar by the score of 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. The state semifinals and finals are scheduled to take place this morning, May 28.

Track – Division I regional meet – The top four finishers in each category at the Division I regional meet at University of Dayton’s Welcome Stadium on Friday automatically qualified to compete in the state competition, which will be held at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium June 3-4. Three of Lakota’s athletes did just that; Lakota West junior Nathan Haynes finished third in the boys’ 800 meters, Lakota East junior Lauren Buck finished fourth in the shot put and Lakota East freshman Autumn Heath finished second in the girls’ 100 meters. Other top Lakota performers include Lakota West senior J.J. Webber, who finished fifth in the 1600 meters, Lakota West sophomore Hannah Womack, who finished sixth in the girls’ high jump and Lakota West sophomore Will Wilson, who finished seventh in the boys’ high jump.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Autumn Heath, baseball, Bill Dreisbach, Freddy Abunku, Hannah Womack, J.J. Webber, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Buck, Nathan Haynes, Nathaniel Haynes, regional meet, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, state tournament, tennis, track, Will Wilson, William Wilson, Zach Mueck

The Lakota East regional semifinal softball game against Wayne today, May 26, has been moved from 5 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The hope is to accommodate any possible weather delays, according to Dan Hilen, Lakota East sports information director.

Lakota East (27-2) is currently ranked No. 1 in the state of Ohio. If the Thunderhawks defeat Wayne (16-10), they will face rival Lakota West (20-4) in the regional final Saturday, May 28, at noon.

Lakota West is the only team that has been able to defeat Lakota East all season. Lakota West defeated the Thunderhawks by the score of 2-0 in late March and by the score of 2-0 in early May.

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, regional final, regional finals, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, softball

Lakota West senior pitcher Alex Caudill allowed three hits and one walk while shutting out Glen Este by the score of 2-0 in the regional semifinal on Wednesday, May 25.

Earlier in the season, Glen Este blew out the Firebirds in five innings by the score of 11-0. That game, however, was played without Caudill, who will continue her pitching career at Northern Kentucky University. At the time, Caudill was out after suffering a thigh injury.

Glen Este also did not use its ace in the regular season game. Senior Kelley Benhase, who will also attend NKU, came into Wednesday’s game with an 18-2 record, 240 strikeouts in 133.1 innings and a 0.47 earned run average.

Cincinnati.com reporter Chris DeLotell covered the game:

“I was worried about that (match-up),” Caudill said. “I knew whoever scored one run was probably going to win the game.”

West manufactured the winning run in the third inning. Alyssa Hedric led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a one-out single by Bekah Werth. Caudill then drove a fly ball deep enough into right field that Hedric was able to score.

West coach Keith Castner credited the early lead with helping his players relax.

“It makes you feel good,” Castner said. “At the same time, it helps the girls to know they need to up their game a little bit more also.” (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Caudill, Alyssa Hedric, Bekah Werth, Keith Castner, Kelley Benhase, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, NKU, Northern Kentucky University, regional final, regional finals, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, softball

Lakota high school varsity athletes will be competing in various postseason contests this week.

Lakota East will have two singles tennis players, junior Zack Mueck (photo) and senior Freddy Abunku, competing in the state tournament at Hillard Davidson High School May 27-28.

Lakota West and Lakota East are also still alive in the baseball and softball postseason tournaments.

Here is a quick look at the weekly postseason schedule:

Wednesday, May 25

Lakota East and Lakota West – Track – qualifiers from the district meet at Winton Woods will compete in the regional meet at Welcome Stadium (University of Dayton) at 4 p.m.
Lakota West – Softball – vs. Glen Este in regional semifinal at Mason High School at 5 p.m. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Spring sports |

Tags: Tags: baseball, boys' tennis, Freddy Abunku, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, OHSAA boys' state tennis tournament, postseason, regional final, regional finals, regional meet, regional semifinal, regionals, softball, state tournament, tennis, track, Zach Mueck

The record-setting season for the boys’ basketball team at Lakota East High School ended last Thursday, March 17, when it lost to No. 1 seed Westerville South by the score of 64-58 in the Division I regional semifinal at the Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum.

The Thunderhawks actually lead at halftime 30-23, but were outscored 41-28 in the second half.

Leading the comeback was Westerville South senior Traevon Jackson, who scored 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second half. Jackson, who has signed on to play basketball at Wisconsin, also added six assists and converted 15 of his 19 free-throw attempts.

“He’s really good,” Lakota East coach Wally Vickers told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He (Jackson) was able to get away with a lot. But there’s no sour grapes – he’s a heck of a player.”

After defeating Lakota East, Westerville went on to beat Columbus Northland by the score of 80-62 in the regional final Saturday, March 19.

The season was special for the Thunderhawks, who won their first-ever outright Greater Miami Conference title and their first district championship this winter. Furthermore, Lakota East’s appearance in the regional semifinal marks the furthest the program has advanced in the state tournament in school history.

The loss also marks the end of the high school careers of six seniors: Jalen Goodwin, R.J. Leppert, Brian Evans, Jeff Cargill, Cameron Lee and Michael Boyd.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, boys' basketball, Brian Evans, Cameron Lee, Jalen Goodwin, Jeff Cargill, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Michael Boyd, playoffs, R.J. Leppert, regional semifinal, regional semifinals, Wally Vickers, Walter Vickers

After winning its first district title, Lakota East (23-1 overall) will face No. 1 seed Westerville South (23-1 overall) in the regional semifinal tonight, March 17, at the Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum at 7 p.m.

At the end of the regular season, both Westerville South and Lakota East were unbeaten until each team lost their regular season finales Feb. 18. Four days later, when the final Associated Press poll was released, Westerville South fell from No. 2 to No. 5 in the statewide rankings, while the Thunderhawks fell from No. 4 to No. 6.

Senior guard Traevon Jackson, who is committed to play basketball at Wisconsin, leads the Wildcats. In Westerville South’s 69-54 win against New Albany in the district final, March 11, Jackson scored 13 points and dished out five assists. Jackson’s teammate Ben Jones actually led the Wildcats in scoring with 23 points.

The winner of the game will advance to the regional final this Saturday, March 19, at the Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum at 7:30 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, boys' basketball, district final, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, playoffs, postseason, regional semifinal, Westerville South

For the third time this season, Lakota East was able to defeat Greater Miami Conference rival Princeton. Last night’s 48-36 win at the University of Dayton Arena, however, gave the Thunderhawks their first district title in school history.

In the district final, Princeton trailed Lakota East 30-29 at the end of the third quarter. The Thunderhawks then outscored the Vikings 18-7 in the final quarter.

Last weekend, Lakota East found itself in similar position, tied at 26 after three quarters before outscoring St. Xavier 19-6 in the final frame.

Senior R.J. Leppert led Lakota East with 15 points and nine rebounds. Fellow seniors Jalen Goodwin (12 points) and Brian Evans (nine rebounds) also played big roles in the win for the Thunderhawks.

The win advances Lakota East to the regional semifinal where it will face No. 1 seed Westerville South at the Columbus Fairgrounds Coliseum this Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: basketball, boys' basketball, district final, Jalen Goodwin, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, playoffs, postseason, Princeton, R.J. Leppert, regional semifinal, state tournament

With eight seconds left in the game, Reynoldsburg got what Lakota East head coach Nikki Drew called an “ok look” that “was definitely challenged.” The shot, which would have tied the score, just missed and secured a 46-44 win for the Thunderhawks in the regional semifinals.

“As a coach you prepare your demeanor for if that falls, thank goodness it didn’t,” Drew said.

“Yes, sure, I am always nervous.”

Reynoldsburg, which entered the game ranked No. 5 in the final Division I Associated Press state poll, jumped out to 19-6 lead to begin the game. Lakota East answered with a 21-0 run that propelled the team to a three-point halftime lead, according to Cincinnati.com.

Going up against a taller team, Drew was concerned about the rebounding battle. However, the Thunderhawks impressed their coach by outrebounding Reynoldsburg 43-29.

“I asked them not to give them a second shot all game and it seemed like they were close to holding their promise,” Drew said. “It was our best rebounding effort of the year. My girls played their hearts out and are so coachable. I am lucky.”

Juniors Whitney Wyckoff (12 points, eight rebounds), Molly Blomer (10 points, nine rebounds) and Alyssa Grevenkamp (six points, seven rebounds) led Lakota East.

The Thunderhawks will now face Pickerington North this Friday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Otterbein University. Pickerington North defeated Northland 58-50 Tuesday. Senior Kavunaa Edwards, who has signed to play at Villanova, led Pickerington North with 21 points and 16 rebounds in the win, according to ColumbusLocalNews.com.

(Photo taken during the Turpin playoff game)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alyssa Grevenkamp, basketball, girls' basketball, Kavunaa Edwards, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Molly Blomer, Pickerington North, playoffs, postseason, regional final, regional semifinal, Reynoldsburg, state tournament, Whitney Wyckoff

It is always a special event when Lakota West plays Lakota East in volleyball, but it will be extra meaningful when the two rivals meet tonight, Nov. 4, in a regional semifinal of the Division I state volleyball tournament. The match will begin at 6 p.m. and will be played at Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City.

“It is going to be a great match. Anytime East and West play, any team can win,” Lakota West head coach Tracey Kornau said. “We both have great fans and I expect a crowd even though they will have to travel an hour to get there.”

Lakota West defeated the Thunderhawks earlier in the fall, by the score of 25-15, 25-21, 25-19. At the time, both schools were undefeated in conference play. The Firebirds went on to finish the season without a loss within the Greater Miami Conference (9-0) and currently has a 21-4 overall record. Lakota East finished 7-2 in the GMC and currently has an overall record of 18-6.

“(Lakota East head coach) Casie (Garland) has done a great job with her team. She has a tremendous leader in Stephanie Gregory and a great group of players that all contribute to their success,” Kornau said. “Ashley Evans is a standout in the city and they serve tough and pass well.”

In the regular season matchup Garland didn’t like how her team played and came away impressed with the play of Lakota West’s defense.

In this rematch, Lakota West could be without injured setter Lexi Dannemiller (committed to the University of Michigan), who had 34 assists in the regular season win over Lakota East. (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: district championship, Lakota East, Lakota West, Lakota West vs. Lakota East, playoffs, postseason, regional semifinal, state volleyball tournament, volleyball