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The Thunderhawks scored a season-low 49 points, but still won at Oak Hills by the score of 49-36 on Tuesday night. The win improves Lakota East’s record to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Greater Miami Conference.

Senior guards Robbie Harpring and Stedman Lowry each scored in double figures, Hapring finished with 14 points and Lowry added 11.

Senior guard Jake Richmond led Oak Hills with 15 points.

Lakota East will be back in action on Friday when it hosts Mason (2-4, 0-3 in GMC) at 7:30 p.m.

Lakota East (8-0) - Emrick 4 0 8, Harpring 5 2 14, S. Lowry 4 2 11, D. Lowry 1 4 6, Panzeca 1 0 2, Baxter 1 0 2, White 1 4 6. Totals: 17 12 49.

Oak Hills (0-5) - Elliot 3 0 6, Richmond 5 2 15, Laumann 2 2 7, Leftenant 1 1 3, Chisholm 2 1 5. Totals: 13 6 36.

Halftime: Lakota East 24-16. 3-pointers: LE 3 (Harpring 2, S. Lowry); OH 4 (Richmond 3, Laumann).

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Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East

Lakota East held off school district rival Lakota West, 77-73, Saturday night in a game that went down to the final seconds.

Myo Baxter puts up a shot against Lakota West in what turned out to be a 77-73 win for Lakota East Saturday, Dec. 15. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/121512east_west

The Thunderhawks, No. 3 in the latest Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, led Lakota West, No. 2 in the same poll, by 10 points with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds, however, closed the gap to one and trailed 74-73 with a minute remaining, according to WestFirebirds.com.

Lakota missed opportunities to take the lead, missing field goals with 45 seconds and then again with 23 seconds to go. Then, with nine seconds left on the clock, the Firebirds missed a three-point attempt that would have tied the game.

According to the Pulse Journal, the two teams played in front of “a standing-room-only crowd.” The paper’s Eric Hickey reported senior Stedman Lowry led East with 24 points. Furthermore, according to the Pulse, Myo Baxter added 18 points and eight rebounds in the win.

WestFirebirds.com reported Lakota West seniors Ali Barnes and Monty Boykins led the Firebirds with 22 and 21 points, respectively.

The win improves Lakota East to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the Greater Miami Conference, Lakota West falls to 3-1 and 2-0 in the GMC. Due this season’s scheduling rules, the game did not count as a GMC league game.

Lakota East will be back in action this Tuesday when its visits Oak Hills (0-4, 0-2 in GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Next up for the Firebirds is a home game against Sycamore (2-2, 1-1 in GMC), also on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

(Box score not provided)

GIRLS BASKETBALL - The Firebirds (6-1, 4-1 Greater Miami Conference) stayed in a tie for second place in the GMC with a 55-29 road win against the Indians (3-3, 2-2). Sophomore guard Lauren Cannatelli led all scorers with 12 points, and freshman guard Nia Staples added 11. Junior guard Bria Spaulding led Fairfield with 10 points.

Lakota West (6-1, 4-1) - Wells 2 0 4, Niehaus 2 0 4, Staples 2 5 11, Adams 0 4 4, Cannatelli 5 0 12, Whitaker 1 0 2, Carter 3 2 8, Tomasic 1 2 5, Aull 0 3 3, Kibell 1 0 2, Wasan 1 0 2. Totals: 17 16 55.

Fairfield (3-3, 2-2) – Butler 1 1 4, Slaughter 1 1 3, Spaulding 5 0 10, Mueller 1 1 3, B. Williams 2 0 4, Bentley 0 2 2, James 1 0 2, Branch 0 1 1. Totals: 11 6 29.

Halftime: Lakota West 34-11. 3-Pointers: L 5 (Staples 2, Cannatelli 2, Tomasic); F 1 (Butler).

GIRLS BASKETBALL - After losing its first five games of the season, Lakota East won its second straight when it defeated Middletown by the score of 56-47 Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Kandace Satterwhite led East with 16 points and seven rebounds, both career highs. Sophomore Cydney Franklin added 11 points for the Thunderhawks. Middletown senior Vada Edwards led the Middies with a season high 27 points. Edwards, who is averaging 19.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this season, also had 12 rebounds in the loss. Lakota East will be back in action Monday night at 7:30 p.m. when it visits Winton Woods.

Middletown (3-4, 0-4) - Rodriguez 2 1 5, Edwards 12 3 27, Shealey 1 0 3, Roberts 4 0 8, Reynolds 2 0 4. Totals 21 4 47.

Lakota East (2-5, 2-2) - Satterwhite 8 0 16, Rodgers 3 3 9, Wills 1 0 2, Franklin 4 2 11, White 2 0 4, Catron 3 0 8, Thomas 1 0 2, Goodwin 2 0 4. Totals 24 5 56.

Halftime: Lakota East 26-23. 3-Pointers: M 1 (Shealey); LE 3 (Franklin, Catron 2).

Comet Classic Diving meet At Sycamore
Individual results: 1. McConnell (Lakota East) 432.15; 2. Sewell (Mason) 428.85; 3. House (Lakota West) 392.40; 4. DiMasso (Sycamore) 378.45; 5. Brophy (Summit Country Day) 368.40; 6. Carr (Mason) 361.85; 7. Wegryn (Indian Hill) 353.5; 8. Arnold (Indian Hill) 335.45; 9. Hayes (Mercy) 323.90; 10. Korengele (Indian Hill) 323.25; A. Mitchell (McNicholas) 318.05; 12. Carolin (Seton) 310.50; 13. M. Mitchell (McNicholas) 310.30; Tepe (Colerain) 308.05; 15. Rupp (Oakwood) 304.15.

RESTLING Coaches Classic At Harrison Note: semifinals and finals are Sunday
Team scores (thru quarterfinals): 1. Fairfield 131, 2. Moeller 129.5, 3. Loveland 101, 4. Mason 93.5, 5. Ross 81, 6. Simon Kenton (Ky.) 80.5, 7. Mount Vernon 73, 8. Lakota East 70, 9. Elder 65.5, 10. Kettering Fiarmont 63, 11. St. Xavier 60.5, 12. Harrison 59, 13. Beavercreek 57, 14. Glen Este 53.5, 15. Sycamore 52.5, 16. Ryle 52, 17. Middletown 48.5, 18. Lakota West 45.5, 19. Walton-Verona (Ky.) 42.5, 20. Edgewood 42, 21. Colerain 41, 22. Princeton 39.5, 23. La Salle 36.5, 24. Lebanon 36.5, 25. New Richmond 36, 26. Amelia 33, 27. Bethel-Tate 32, 28. Oak Hills 30, 29. Deer Park 26, 30. Hamilton 25, 30. Reading 25, 32. Turpin 24, 33. Milford 23, 34. Kings 22.5, 35. Withrow 21, 36. Talawanda 19, 36. Northwest 19, 38. Madeira 17, 39. Western Hills 17, 40. Anderson 16.5, 41. Goshen 9.5.

Quarterfinals
106–Kearney (Mason) dec. Branson (Glen Este) 8-2; Roth (Lakota East) dec. Frankel (Sycamore) 8-1; Gatica (Fairfield) dec. Kruspe (Moeller) 4-2; Vuyk (Loveland) major dec. Bemerer (Reading) 13-2. 113–Riley (Mount Ver.) pin Sper (Fairfield) 3:43; Tucker (Loveland) dec. Logsdon (Lebanon) 9-5; Ziegler (Moeller) dec. Bean (Edgewood) 11-4; Milano (La Salle) major dec. Delvalle (Kettering) 10-0. 120–Daly (Lakota East) dec. Ward (Moeller) 6-5; Davis (Fairfield) dec. Owens (Simon Kenton) 10-6; May (Lebanon) dec. Peters (Bethel) 13-6; Adams (Ryle) major dec. Clouse (Beavercreek) 14-6. 126–Parrett (Kettering) dec. Allen (Colerain) 3-1; Borton (Moeller) dec. Ibarra (Madeira) 10-5; Parrott (Simon Kenton) dec. Donigian (Beavercreek) 6-2; Barden (Fairfield) dec. Selmon (Princeton) 3-2. 132–Denlinger (Kettering) major dec. Brown (Lakota East) 9-0; Hinkle (Mount Ver.) dec. Smith (Elder) 7-2; North (Ryle) pin Rose (Middletown) 3:43; Mendel (Moeller) dec. Meddings (Fairfield) 8-1. 138–Brown (Walton-Verona) dec. Stephens (St. Xavier) 6-1; Morgan (Elder) major dec. Davis (Glen Este) 10-2; Bryant (Fairfield) major dec. Keller (Beavercreek) 14-4; Leonhardt (Lakota West) pin Andrews (Deer Park) 1:58. 145–Sams (Fairfield) pin Burke (Oak Hills) 1:58; Camps (Edgewood) dec. Cummins (Turpin) 11-5; Collins (Mason) pin Morton (Moeller) 3:25; Jones (Ross) dec. Huber (Sycamore) 8-2. 152–Cooper (Simon Kenton) major dec. Williamson (Madeira) 12-1; Kowal (Princeton) dec. Staten (Mount Vern.) 4-0; Siemon (Deer Park) dec. Jones (Walton-Verona) 10-8; Davis (Middletown) dec. Wilson (Moeller) 7-4. 160–Heyob (St. Xavier) major dec. Conners (Elder) 10-0; Meyer (Moeller) dec. Caniglia (Loveland) 8-5; Lauffer (Fairfield) dec. Smith (Colerain) 2-1; Globke (Middletown) major dec. Rivera (Harrison) 13-2. 170–Sizemore (Moeller) pin Thomas (Fairfield) 3:11; Jones (Walton-Verona) major dec. Day (Reading) 15-1; Corba (Beavercreek) pin Meiman (Ryle) 1:09; Weber (Loveland) dec. Reid (New Rich.) 7-6. 182–Chamblee (Simon Kenton) pin Kennedy (Glen Este) 5:20; Rosser (Moeller) dec. White (New Rich.) 11-7; Danis (Mason) pin Jones (St. Xavier) 1:00; Lay (Loveland) pin Plunkett (Fairfield) 1:49. 195–Scales (Colerain) dec. Rowan (Glen Este) 2-1; Ludwig (Fairfield) pin O’Toole (St. Xavier) 3:45; Bridwell (Ross) dec. Thornberry (Moeller) 2-1; Lybarger (Mount Ver.) major dec. Allgor (Mason) 15-7. 220–Frueauf (Moeller) pin Brennock (Loveland) 2:22; Morris (Mason) dec. Jordan (Colerain) 6-3; Mueller (Simon Kenton) pin Batchelor (West Hi) 5:57; Heimkreiter (Ross) dec. Kuhllmann (St. Xavier) 5-1. 285–Burton (Lakota East) dec. Quick (Mason) 5-2; Gutapfel (Harrison) def. Alten (Loveland) injury default; Peacock (Ross) dec. Forsee (New Rich.) 7-2; Daniels (Northwest) pin Tulloch (Kettering) 2:35.

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Tags: Tags: Ali Barnes, Ali Barnes Lakota West, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East diving, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East wrestling, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West diving, Lakota West sports, Lakota West wrestling, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Myo Baxter, Myo Baxter Lakota East, Rob Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East

Tom Ramstetter reports:

Lakota East scored in bunches and used several scoring runs Friday night in a 64-51 win over Princeton in a Greater Miami Conference boys’ basketball game at Princeton.

East, ranked No. 3 in the latest Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, moved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the GMC. Princeton fell to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference. The Vikings are tied with Middletown for the No. 7 spot in the Division I poll.

The Thunderhawks opened the game on a 9-0 run and started the second half on a 7-0 run, providing the cushion needed to escape with a conference road win.

“We have the ability to score in bunches,” Lakota East coach Wally Vickers said. “It doesn’t matter when you get them. I’ll take a bunch here and a bunch there. But the quick start in the game and the second half were certainly important factors.

“To go on the road in our league can be a tough hill, so I was really proud of us.”

Senior guard Robbie Harpring led the 9-0 to start the game and finished the quarter with nine points.

Harpring finished with a team high 15 points.

“We always come out pumped up,” Harpring said. “As a team, we always want to come out and win the first three minutes. That’s what we did – we won the first three minutes.”

Princeton did not get on the board until a Darius Hilson put-back with 4:26 to play in the opening quarter.

“That’s a great thing for us,” Harpring said. “The team came out ready to play and it’s big when you’re on the road.”

The Thunderhawks’ 7-0 run to start the second half built 38-25 lead and East led 42-36 heading into the final period.

Princeton rallied to within 45-40 early in the fourth quarter, but the Thunderhawks responded with a 7-0 run midway through the fourth and led 52-40 after a 3-pointer by Stedman Lowry.

The Vikings cut it to 52-43 on a on a traditional 3-point play by senior guard Dorian Jordan, but sophomore center Alex White answered for East with a layup and then two free throws on the following possession to start an 8-0 run. Two free throws each by Dylan Lowry and Harpring gave East a 60-43 lead and that was that.

“At that point, we were frustrated ourselves because we really didn’t get it inside much,” Vickers said. “We struggled to execute at times, even when we were scoring. We just kept saying we’ve got to get it inside. We’ve got to get it to Alex. We got it to him a couple times late and we got what we wanted from it.”

Jordan led all scorers with 17 points for Princeton.

Harpring led three Thunderhawks in double figures. Stedman Lowry added 11 and Austin Emrick scored 10.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that can make shots,” Vickers said. “Robbie got a lot of opportunities tonight especially early and showed he’s capable of making shots. We’ve got a lot of guys that can do it, that’s for sure.”

Lakota East will play at cross-district rival Lakota West Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in a non-league game between the two GMC schools, according to Vickers.

“So to me this was the important one,” Vickers said. “This was the have-to-win (for the GMC race).”

The Vikings will seek to regroup Tuesday night at Colerain when the Cardinals and Vikings will tip off at 7:30 p.m.

Lakota East (6-0, 2-0 GMC): Emrick 5 0 10, Harpring 6 2 15, S. Lowry 4 0 11, D. Lowry 1 2 5, Panzeca 2 0 4, Baxter 3 3 9, White 3 4 10. Totals 24 11 64.

Princeton (2-1, 1-1): Jordan 6 3 17, Tivis 4 0 8, Abrams 1 0 2, Hilson 3 0 6, Bosel 3 0 6, Blevins 1 1 3, Walters 3 3 9. Totals 21 7 51.

Halftime: Lakota East 31-25. 3-pointers: LE 5 (S. Lowry 3, Harpring, D. Lowry), P 2 (Jordan 2).

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Tags: Tags: Alex White, Alex White Lakota East, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East, Wally Vickers, Wally Vickers Lakota East

The Lakota East boys’ team and the Lakota West girls’ team won their games on Tuesday night. East defeated Western Hills 69-59, while West defeated Ursuline 52-43.

Lakota East improved to 3-0 with its win. Senior guard Stedman Lowry led the Thunderhawks with 28 points. Teammates, senior guard Robbie Harpring and sophomore forward Myo Baxter, each added 13 points.

Meanwhile, Lakota West (3-1, 1-1 in GMC)) outscored Ursuline 17-9 in the fourth quarter en route to its third win of the season. Freshman guard Nia Staples led the Firebirds with 12 points. Staples is now averaging 13.3 points per game in four games this season.

Next up for East is a home game against GMC foe Colerain (0-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lakota West will be back in action this Saturday with a road game at Colerain (1-2, 1-0 in GMC) at 2 p.m.

Lakota East (3-0) – Bah 0 2 2, Enrick 1 0 2, Harpring 6 0 13, S. Lowry 9 7 28, D. Lowry 1 1 3, Baxter 6 1 13, White 3 2 8. Totals: 26 13 69.

Western Hills (1-1) – nathis 3 1 7, Davis 6 6 21, Sherman 6 1 15, adams 5 4 14, Clifton 1 0 2. Totals: 21 12 59

Halftime: Lakota East 34-29. 3-pointers LE 4 (S. Lowry 3, Harping); WH 5 (Davis 3, Sherman 2).

Ursuline (3-1) – Goodwin 2 3 7, Schirmer 3 0 7, Reilly 6 4 16, Christy 0 2 2, Miller 1 2 4, Valentine 2 0 4, Oglibee 1 1 3. Totals: 15 12 43.

Lakota West (3-1) – Wells 3 2 8, Staples 3 4 12, Adams 1 0 2, Cannatelli 2 4 9, Tomasic 2 2 8, Aull 2 0 6, Wasan 3 1 7. Totals: 16 13 52.

Halftime: Lakota West 26-17. 3-pointers: U (Schirmer), L 7 (Staples 2, Tomasic 2, Aull 2, Cannatelli).

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Tags: Tags: Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Myo Baxter, Myo Baxter Lakota East, Nia Staples, Nia Staples Lakota West, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East

Both the Lakota East and Lakota West girls’ basketball teams fell to two of region’s best on Saturday, while the Lakota East boys’ team cruised to a 87-38 win against Lockland.

Lakota East freshman Sam Rogers takes a shot against Mason on Dec. 1, 2012. The Thunderhawks lost the game 60-30 and start the season 0-3, while Rogers is averaging 8.7 points per game. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/120112east_mason

The Lakota East – No. 8 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – couldn’t keep up with No. 2 Mason, losing 60-30 and its third straight game to begin the season.

Mason senior and Missouri commit Kayla McDowell recorded game highs in rebounds with nine, in blocks with two and in points with 26. Sophomore Leah Goodwin led Lakota East with 11 points and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Firebirds – No. 6 in The Enquirer poll – kept it close before falling 51-46 to No. 1 Princeton.

Lakota West received a strong effort from freshman Nia Staples, who scored a game high 18 points. Sophomore teammate Lauren Cannatelli nailed four three pointers and finished with 12 points.

The Lakota East boys’ team improved to 2-0 with its win. Senior Stedman Lowry converted four three pointers and finished with 21 points in the win. Teammates senior guard Austin Emrick (12 points), senior center Zach Panzecca (16 points), sophomore forward Myo Baxter (14 points) and sophomore center Alex White (11 points) all finished in double figures in scoring.

Lakota East (0-3, 0-1) – Satterwhite 2 0 4, Rodgers 2 2 6, Goodwin 4 1 11, Franklin 2 1 5, Catron 1 0 3, Wills 0 1 1. Totals 11 5 30.

Mason (2-0, 1-0) – Herren 1 0 3, McDowell 9 8 26, Ammons 1 0 2, Neal 2 1 5, Gunn 3 2 8, Mason 1 0 3, Melinick 2 2 6, Van Kleunen 1 0 2, Brown 1 0 2, Rotowski 1 0 2. Totals: 22 13 18.

Halftime: Mason 29-17. 3-pointers: L 3 (Goodwin 2, Catron); M 2 (Herren, Mason).

Princeton (3-0) – Sherman 1 0 2, C. Mitchell 6 1 13, Roper 3 0 7, Ballew 1 1 3, Hardin 1 0 2, Drake 1 1 3, Pogue 4 3 11, K. Mitchell 3 4 10. 20 10 51

Lakota West (2-1) – Staples 7 2 18, Cannatelli 4 0 12, Carter 1 1 3, Tomasic 2 0 4, Aull 1 0 2, Wasan 3 1 7. 18 4 46

Halftime: Princeton 25-18. 3-pointers: P 1 (Roper); L 6 (Cannatelli 4, Staples 2)

Lakota East 87, Lockland 38 (scoring by quarter not available)

Lakota East (2-0) – Emrick 6 0 12, Harpring 3 2 9, S. Lowry 8 1 21, Mays 1 0 2, D. Lowry 1 0 2, Panzecca 8 0 16, Baxter 7 0 14, White 4 3 11. Totals: 38 6 87

Lockland (0-1) – Char. Harris 1 0 2, Athie 3 0 7, Hice 1 0 2, Carnine 1 0 2, Phillps 1 0 2, Riddle 3 2 8, Marshall 3 1 7, Chris Harris 1 0 2, Finley 3 0 6. Totals: 17 3 38

Halftime: Lakota East 41-17. 3-pointers: Lakota East (S. Lowry 4, Harpring); Lockland 1 (Athie)

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Tags: Tags: Alex White, Alex White Lakota East, Austin Emrick, Kayla McDowell, Kayla McDowell Missouri, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lauren Cannatelli, Lauren Cannatelli Lakota West, Leah Goodwin, Myo Baxter, Myo Baxter Lakota East, Nia Staples, Nia Staples Lakota West, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East, Zach Panzecca

Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball programs won their season openers Friday night. Lakota East – No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – defeated Wilmington by the score of 72-59, while No. 2 Lakota West defeated Talawanda 51-39.

The Thunderhawks outscored Wilmington 21-14 in the third quarter, growing their lead to 10 points after leading by only three at halftime.

In the win, senior guards Stedman Lowry and Robbie Harpring combined to make 14 of their 14 free-throw attempts. Lowry finished the game with 18 points, while Harpring added 16 points and five assists.

Also contributing to the win were sophomores Myo Baxter and Alex White. Baxter had eight points and six rebounds, while White had career highs in rebounds with 13 and in points with 18.

Junior guard Tyler Williams paced Lakota West by knocking down four three pointers, finishing with 16 points. Williams, who has offers from Miami and Kennesaw State, also had five steals. Senior Ali Barnes (seven points), junior Tyler Bowling (nine points), junior Malik Grove (eight points) and Ethan Thomas (seven points) also contributed to the win as West played without its returning leading scorer in senior Monty Boykins.

The Firebirds actually trailed 11-9 at the end of the first quarter before getting out to a comfortable lead at halftime by outscoring Talawanda 23-9 in the second quarter.

Lakota East (1-0) - Emrick 2 0 4, White 7 0 18, Harpring 6 6 18, S. Lowry 6 8 18, Baxter 4 0 8, Panzeca 3 0 6, D. Lowry 1 0 2. Totals: 25 18 72

Wilmington (0-1) - Jarron Cumberland 5 7 19, Jaevin Cumberland 6 3 17, Scott 3 4 10, Mansfield 3 3 9, Briggs 1 0 2, Beaugard 1 0 2. Totals: 19 17 59

Halftime: Lakota East 35-32. 3-pointers: L 4 (Harpring 2, Lowry 2); W 4 (Jarron Cumberland 2, Jaevin Cumberland 2)

Talawanda - Webb 4 0 11, Robinson 6 0 12, Davidson 4 0 8, Kimiecik 1 0 2, Mincy 0 1 1, Adams 0 5 5. Totals 15 6 39.

Lakota West (1-0) - Barnes 2 1 7, Bowling 4 1 9, Williams 6 0 16, Grove 2 4 8, Thomas 0 7 7, Moo Young 1 0 2, Martin 1 0 2. Totals 16 13 51.

Halftime: Lakota West 51-39. 3-pointers: T 3 (Webb 3); L 6 (Barnes 2, Williams 4)

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Tags: Tags: Alex White, Alex White Lakota East, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Myo Baxter, Myo Baxter Lakota East, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Stedman Lowry, Stedman Lowry Lakota East, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

Junior-to-be Eric Eichler took over the quarterback duties during the third game of season in 2011. He ended up rushing for nine touchdowns last year. Photo taken Barb Trimble of Trimble Photography.

Lakota East (4-6 overall, 2-5 in the Greater Miami Conference in 2011) kicks off the 2012 regular season in front of its home fans tonight at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts Western Hills (5-5 overall, 5-1 in Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference in ’11). The two schools faced off in the opener last fall with Lakota East winning that matchup, 28-6.

Western Hills: The offense is run through senior quarterback Cameron Washington, who is coming off a 2011 season where he threw for 783 yards and rushed for 516 more. His top target this season could be Tiantee Washington, who sat behind Division I recruit Josh Smith in 2011. The team also returns three offensive linemen. According to Tom Skeen of the Western Hills Press, the deepest part of the team is at defensive line – and the weakest part of the team is its depth. Last season, the Mustangs got off to a slow start – losing their first three games. After that, the team won five in a row before losing the final two.

Lakota East: With nine returning starters on offense, including junior quarterback Eric Eichler, who was a backup at this time last summer, Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes feels that his team should get off to a fast start in 2012. Eichler, who replaced Rob Harpring at quarterback in Week 3 last season, averaged just more than 42 rushing yards per game and had a total of nine rushing touchdowns in eight games. Overall, the team has almost 30 seniors. That senior leadership is most apparent on the defensive side of the ball, where linebackers Jake Chestnut (second team all-GMC, second on East in total tackles in 2011) and Keith Brady (sixth on East in total tackles in ‘11), along with defensive lineman J.T. Turner (led East in tackles for loss and in sacks in ’11) and free safety Harpring (converted quarterback) lead the way.

Bottom line: In the 28-6 win, in the season opener last year, Lakota East received much of its offense from fullback Mikel Horton, who rushed for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries. Horton has since transferred to Lakota West. However, the Thunderhawks do return four experienced running backs in seniors Will Mahone and Chamada Palmore, as well as juniors Bobby Brown and Nate Mays. The overall advantage in depth and experience should make East a favorite to win in Week 1.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Bobby Brown, Chamada Palmore, Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, J.T. Turner, Jake Chestnut, Keith Brady, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East game preview, Lakota East High School, Lakota East Sports, Nate Mays, Rick Haynes, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Will Mahone

Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes runs an offensive drill during a summer practice session July 31, 2012. Haynes is heading into his third season as the Thunderhawks’ head coach and has a combined 7-13 win-loss record. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

With nine returning starters on offense, including a junior quarterback who was a backup at this time last summer, Lakota East head coach Rick Haynes feels that his team should get off to a fast start in 2012.

“There is not a whole lot of teaching. There is some reviewing, but these kids are very, very smart, so they still remember all the things we talked about last year and their assignments,” said Haynes, who is entering his third season as head coach with a combined 7-13 record at Lakota East. “It is going to allow us to get started a little quicker than we had in the past.”

Getting off to a good start wasn’t the issue last fall, as the Thunderhawks won three of its first four games. The only loss, during that run, was at La Salle, 27-23, a game Lakota East led, 23-21, with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The problem for East wasn’t the start, but sustaining that early season success, as Lakota East went on to lose five of its last six games.

“The coaches talked about it, whether we got tired or we were out of shape because we started off 3-1 and ended the season 1-5,” Haynes said. That is obviously something that we are going to address.”

• 2012 Lakota East football schedule
• Photos: Lakota East summer football practice

The team, which returns five starters on defense and features almost 30 seniors, responded by working this offseason on improving their strength and conditioning.

“I believe this is the strongest team we have had. It might be the strongest team East has ever had,” Haynes said. “The kids have done a great job in the weight room and I also think we are faster than we have been.

“We have great senior leadership.” (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: 2012 Lakota East football preview, Bobby Brown, Chamada Palmore, Eric Eichler, Eric Eichler Lakota East, Issac Cosculluela, J.T. Turner, Jake Chestnut, Keith Brady, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East football preview, Lakota East Sports, Nate Mays, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring, Will Mahone

After a two-point loss at Oak Hills in December, Lakota East took down the Highlanders by the score of 46-43 Friday. It marked the second win for the Thunderhawks in their last three games.

Leading Lakota East was junior Robbie Harpring, who finished with 12 points. Sophomore Eric Eichler, who spent the majority of the season on junior varsity, added nine points in the win.

With the win, Lakota East improved its overall record to 7-12 and its record within the Greater Miami Conference to 4-9.

The Thunderhawks, 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 Sycamore (6-13 overall, 2-11 in the GMC). Meanwhile, Oak Hills (7-11 overall, 5-8 in the GMC) has two home games remaining – against St. Xavier (5-13 overall, 2-7 in the Greater Catholic League) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and against Mason (16-3 overall, 10-3 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.

Lakota East 46, Oak Hills 43

Oak Hills (7-11 overall, 5-8 in the GMC) – Richmond 2 3 9, Walter 2 0 4, Pflum 4 2 12, Laumann 1 3 5, Bergen 2 3 7, Elliott 0 4 4, Herbig 0 2 2. Totals 11 17 43.

Lakota East (7-12 overall, 4-9 in the GMC) – Harpring 3 4 12, Keating 1 0 2, Owens 1 0 2, White 2 0 4, Emrick 1 1 3, Eichler 2 4 9, Lowry 1 2 4, Panzeca 2 1 5, Baxter 1 3 5. Totals 14 15 46.

Halftime: Lakota East 25-17. 3-pointers: O 4 (Richmond 2, Pflum 2), L 3 (Harpring 2, Eichler 1).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Eric Eichler, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Rob Harpring, Robbie Harpring

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