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Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher officially signed to play football at Indiana University Feb. 1, 2012 on National Signing Day. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Unlike Lakota East, Lakota West High School hosts numerous signing ceremonies throughout the academic calendar. So far, there have been 32 seniors at Lakota West who have signed on to continue their athletic careers in college.

At Lakota East, there have been a total of 26 seniors recognized at two different signing day events in 2012.

Here is a list of all the Lakota West students who will be playing sports in college:

• Ali Zieverink – Shawnee State (basketball)
• Adrianna McNeal – Southwestern (basketball)
• Rachel Mills – Alderson Broddus Illinois College ((basketball)
• Summer Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Shabazz Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Jordan Darland – Olivet Nazarene (football)
• Blake Bell – California (PA.) (football)
• Dawson Fletcher – Indiana University (football)
• Cole Stalker – University of Findlay (football)
• Beau Odom – Georgetown College (football)
• Kayaune Ross – Fort Scott Community College (football)
• Bubba Williams – Lindsey Wilson (football)
• Evan Hodel – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Zach Crabtree – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Ali Green – Ashland (golf)
• Kim Love – Purdue University (soccer)
• Kelly Mack – Wright State (soccer)
• Lauren Pratt – Ohio Dominican (soccer)
• Malik Zuberi – Shawnee State (baseball)
• Zak Farmer – Walsh University (baseball)
• Davis Schafer – Bellarmine University (baseball)
• Mike Seaman – Trine University (baseball)
• Nick Billman – Mount St. Joseph (baseball)
• Jake Wagner – Miami-Hamilton (baseball)
• Amanda Lahti -  Ohio Northern (softball)
• Brooke Rowley – Lake Forest College (swimming)
• Brady Holmer – NKU (cross country)
• Amanda Shelby – Mount St. Joseph (cross country)
• Nathan Haynes – Navy (cross country)
• Mel Stewart – NKU (volleyball)
• Corri Muha – Georgetown College (volleyball)
• Nick Bloch – Lake Erie College (wrestling)

WestFirebirds.com, the school’s official athletic website, posts photos and details after signing ceremonies take place.

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

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Green, Ali Zieverink, Amanda Lahti, Amanda Shelby, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Brooke Rowley, Bubba Williams, Cincinnati football recruiting, Cole Stalker, Corri Muha, Davis Schafer, Dawson Fletcher, Evan Hodel, Jake Wagner, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Pratt, Malik Zuberi, Mel Stewart, Mike Seaman, Nathan Haynes, Nick Billman, Nick Bloch, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Rachel Mills, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Zach Crabtree, Zak Farmer

The athletic departments at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools recently named their athletes of the week for the first time in the 2012. Junior Monty Boykins and senior Shabazz Reeves received the honor at Lakota West, while sophomore Shelby Hutton and junior Tyler Phillips were honored at Lakota East.

During the holiday break, Lakota West also honored sophomore point guard Tyler Williams, junior swimmer Savannah Rice, senior forward Kayaune Ross and sophomore swimmer Casey Frazier as athletes of the week.

Boykins scored a total of 58 points in the Republic Bank Holiday Classic in Lexington, Ky., last week. He led the Firebirds with 16 points in the team’s opening round win against Simon Kenton. On Tuesday, Boykins scored 15 points in Lakota West’s 60-46 win against Hamilton. The junior small forward has scored in double figures in each game (all 8 games) this season.

During Lakota West’s Holiday Hoops Fest, Reeves led all of her Firebird teammates with 21 points. On Wednesday, Reeves scored 10 points, had 2 assists and 3 steals off the bench in a 68-60 loss to Greater Miami Conference power Princeton. Reeves is also the leading scorer for Lakota West at 8.9 points per game. She has also already signed on to play at Morgan State University.

Hutton finished in first place in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke during a swim meet that included Middletown and Lakota West Dec. 27. She was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams that finished in first place at the same event.

On the boys’ swimming side, during the same meet Dec. 27, Phillips finished first in the 100-yard backstroke and second in the 200-yard individual medley. He was also on the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard freestyle relay teams that finished in first place.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: athletes of the week, Casey Frazier, Greater Miami Conference, Kayaune Ross, Lakota athletes of the week, Lakota East, Lakota East athletics, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West athletics, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West swimming, Monty Boykins, Monty Boykins Lakota West, Savannah Rice, Shabazz Reeves, Tyler Williams, Tyler Williams Lakota West

Thanks to a good fourth quarter, the Lakota West Firebirds were able snap a two-game losing streak and defeat previously unbeaten Hamilton by the score of 41-29 Saturday.

Lakota West led 22-20 at the start of the fourth quarter and outscored the Big Blue 19-9 in the final frame.

Entering the contest, the Firebirds had lost to two of Greater Miami Conference’s top teams in Sycamore and Lakota East. Prior to those losses, Lakota West had started the year 4-0.

Sophomore center Elisabeth Carter produced career highs in minutes with 20, rebounds with 4 and in points with 9. Senior teammates Shabazz and Summer Reeves each scored 7 points, while freshman Lauren Cannatelli had 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Defensively, Lakota West had 15 steals and helped to force the Big Blue into committing 31 turnovers.

Hamilton junior guard Jillian Spurlock led all scorers with 10 points. Senior teammate Desiree Ash had a season low 5 points, but also finished with a season high 12 rebounds.

Lakota West (5-2 overall, 2-2 in the Greater Miami Conference) will host Mason (4-1 overall, 4-1 in the GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile, Hamilton (5-1 overall, 3-1 in the GMC) will play at Talawanda at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Box score – Lakota West 41, Hamilton 29

Lakota West (5-2, 2-2 GMC) – Zieverink 1 0 2, Sh. Reeves 2 3 7, Huxhold 0 4 4, Cannatelli 2 3 8, Mills 1 0 2, Carter 3 3 9, Su. Reeves 3 1 7, McNeal 0 2 2. Totals: 12 15 41.
Hamilton (5-1, 3-1 GMC) – Kivell 1 3 5, Spurlock 3 4 10, Kage 2 0 4, Ash 2 1 5, Goins 0 2 2, Keend 1 1 3. Totals: 9 11 29.

Halftime: Lakota West 18-15. 3-pointers: LW 2 (Cannatelli, Su. Reeves); H none.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Desiree Ash, Elisabeth Carter, Hamilton basketball, Jillian Spurlock, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lauren Cannatelli, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves

In a series once dominated by Lakota West, the Thunderhawks cruised to a 61-54 victory against their school district rival at Lakota East High School Wednesday.

The win gives Lakota East – No. 2 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll – their third straight against the Firebirds. The win also marks the 100th victory for Lakota East head coach Nikki Drew.

Prior to the three-game winning streak, Lakota West – No. 4 in the Enquirer poll – had taken down the Thunderhawks in 18 straight contests.

This time, Lakota East earned the win despite playing without two key seniors, Whitney Wyckoff (Yale commit) and Tazzie Shaw (Marshall commit), who will both continue their basketball careers at the collegiate level.

“I told my players and staff that true character shows when you are put through obstacles and we talked about responding the right way, controlling what we can and the girls did that,” Drew said.

Wyckoff, who has led Lakota East in scoring for the past three seasons, was ruled out for the season by Drew after the senior suffered a knee injury in the 50-21 win against Oak Hills Saturday.

In place of the 5-foot-10 Wyckoff, freshman Cydney Franklin made her first varsity start. The 5-foot-4 Franklin finished with a career high 10 points. She also had four rebounds and two assists. (more…)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Aleth Pashi, Bernice Satterwhite, Cydney Franklin, Lakota East, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Molly Blomer Alyssa Grevenkamp, Nikki Drew, Nikki Drew Lakota East, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Tazzie Shaw, Tazzie Shaw Marshall, Whitney Wyckoff, Whitney Wyckoff Lakota East

Senior twins Shabazz and Summer Reeves combined to score 20 points to help Lakota West defeat Ursuline by the score of 38-31 Tuesday.

The win improves the Firebirds 2011-2012 record to 4-0, while the loss drops Ursuline’s record to 2-2.

After four games last season, Lakota West was 1-3. The 4-0 mark is the program’s best start since the 2008-2009 season. That year, Lakota West advanced to the final four of the state tournament.

Meanwhile, the Lions other loss this season was to the Firebirds’ next opponent Sycamore (51-33).

Lakota West will host Sycamore (3-1 overall, 1-1 in the Greater Miami Conference) at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Firebirds will then follow that up with a game at Lakota East (3-0, 1-0 in the GMC) next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Box score – Lakota West 38, Ursuline 31

Lakota West (4-0) - Zieberink 2 2 7, Sh. Reeves 3 2 12, Niehaus 1 0 2, Su. Reeves 1 6 8, Holder 1 0 3, McNeal 2 2 6. Totals: 12 10 38.
Ursuline (2-2) - Goodwin 3 3 9, Schirmer 2 0 6, S. Reilly 3 2 10, K. Reilly 1 0 2, Myers 1 0 2, Baltes 1 0 2. Totals: 13 5 31.

Halftime: Lakota West 21-13. 3-Pointers: L 4 (Zieberink 1, Sh. Reeves 2, Holder 1); U 4 (Schirmer 2, S. Reilly 2).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Morgan State basketball, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves

Lakota West won its home opener and improved its record to 3-0 on the season when it defeated Oak Hills by the score of 47-33 Saturday.

Senior Shabazz Reeves scored a game-high 14 points to lead the Firebirds.

As a team, Lakota West drilled nine three pointers. Oak Hills didn’t make one.

The Firebirds 3-0 start is the program’s first since the 2008-2009 season. That year, Lakota West advanced to the final four of the state tournament.

Lakota West will be back in action at Ursuline at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Box score – Lakota West 47, Oak Hills 33

Oak Hills (0-3) – Laumann 3 1 7, Kilgore 3 3 9, Murray 1 0 2, Eckstein 3 0 6, Reddington 2 0 4, MacArthur 1 0 2, Braun 1 1 3. Totals 14 5 33.
Lakota West (3-0) – Zieverink 2 0 4, Sh. Reeves 5 0 14, Cannatelli 3 0 8, McNeal 2 0 4, Huxhold 1 2 5, Tomasic 2 0 5, Niehaus 2 0 5, Su. Reeves 0 2 2. Totals 17 4 47.

Halftime: Lakota West 27-15. 3-Pointers: L 9 (Sh. Reeves 4, Cannatelli 2, Huxhold 1, Tomasic 2, Niehaus 1)

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Shabazz Reeves

Leading by a point in the remaining seconds of the game, Lakota West senior forward Ali Zieverink forced a Withrow turnover and dove on the basketball to secure a 53-52 win Thursday.

The win gives the Firebirds their second straight victory this winter as the team tries to rebound from their 10-11 record last season.

In the latest win, Lakota West took the lead for good on a Summer Reeves free throw with 27 seconds left.

As a team, five different Firebirds connected on three-point field goals. Reeves and her twin sister Shabazz made a combined five three pointers and totaled 27 points. The senior duo has already signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Morgan State University.

Lakota West (2-0) will have its home and Greater Miami Conference opener against Oak Hills (0-2) at 2 p.m. this Saturday. Last season, Lakota West defeated Oak Hills on the road by the score of 44-32.

Box score – Lakota West 53, Withrow 52

Lakota West - Zieverink 1 3 5, Sh. Reeves 2 4 10, Huxhold 2 1 7, Tomasic 1 1 4, Niehaus 1 3 6, Su. Reeves 5 4 17, McNeal 1 2 4. Totals: 13 18 53.
Withrow (1-1) - Lee 5 0 10, Cohen 3 2 10, Williams 4 1 9, Beckley 1 0 2, Starkey 2 0 6, Paige 3 2 9, Roberts 1 2 4, Huey 1 0 2. Totals: 20 7 52.

Halftime: Tied 25-25. 3-pointers: L 9 (Sh. Reeves 2, Huxhold 2, Niehaus, Tomasic, Su. Reeves 3); W 5 (Cohen 2, Starkey 2, Paige).

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ali Zieverink, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Withrow basketball

In 2008, Ali Zieverink was an eighth grader when she watched her sister, Emma, and her Lakota West teammates play in the state championship game.

Ali, who is now a senior, looked up that team, which featured six seniors who went on to play college basketball. She attended camps and was inspired to make an impact on the high school team herself.

“Being a part of it from the stands made me want to be a part of it on the floor even more,” Zieverink said. “I think with the team we have this year, if we keep working really hard, we can get back there.”

After 10 consecutive winning seasons and two appearances in the state tournament’s final four, Lakota West finished 10-11 overall, 6-8 in the Greater Miami Conference and was ousted in the first round of the postseason last winter.

“We have enough girls that remember the pride of the Lakota West basketball program and that want it to be back in that elite category,” Lakota West head coach Andy Fishman said.

“We don’t get the final four two years in a row because we had girls who were not committed to coming in and diving on the floor everyday. That was something that was definitely missing.”

Fishman is quick to point out that this year’s team is willing fight for each possession, dive for loose balls and play tight defense.

“Every team should be fighters, every year,” Fishman said. “This is the best mentality that we have had in a couple of years. There is more competition in the gym and I think that every player knows that she is an important person, but no more important than anyone else.”

The top returning scorer from last season is senior Summer Reeves, who along with her twin sister Shabazz, signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Morgan State University. Last season, Summer averaged 9.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while Shabazz averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Lakota West will have to start the season without a pair of starters from last season’s team in seniors Bari Schwartz and Adrianna McNeal. Schwartz, who led Lakota West in assists last season, will miss the entire season after suffering an ACL tear during the soccer season. McNeal, on the other hand, is week-to-week with a micro fracture of her tibia.

The Firebirds also lose 2010-2011 starters Ronni Grandison (University of Massachusetts) and Mea Williams (Wilmington College) due to graduation. Claire Koslowski, who was considered by Fishman as the team’s best leader in practice, also graduated and is now playing rugby at the University of Notre Dame.

According to Fishman, this team is well balanced and has a lot of depth. He and his coaching staff are still determining which girls play together well enough to compete for GMC and district championships.

Lakota West will tip off its season when it will hosts Mount Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

Posted in: Sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Zieverink, Andy Fishman, Andy Fishman Lakota West, Bari Schwartz, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves

Lakota West seniors Summer and Shabazz Reeves both signed National Letters of Intent Wednesday to play basketball at Morgan State University. The twins signed with the school during a special ceremony held after school on National Signing Day.

“The twins connected instantly with what an academic and athletic opportunity at Morgan State would offer and it was awesome that the MSU is giving the girls an opportunity to stay together through college,” Lakota West girls’ basketball coach Andy Fishman said.

The Reeves twins made verbal commitments to MSU in July of 2011 after considering the University of New Hampshire, the University of Richmond and St. Francis University. In addition, Shabazz also considered playing soccer at the University of Cincinnati, while Summer had considered playing basketball at American University.

Summer averaged 9.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season, while Shabazz averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Baseball state champions can sign - The Lakota East Athletic Department announced that it would hold its signing day event in early February for all of its signees, but seniors Michael Conrad (University of Cincinnati) and Alex Corna (Ohio University) can officially sign with their colleges Wednesday. Conrad was The Enquirer Division I player of the year. Meanwhile, Moeller’s Bradley Macciochhi of West Chester is expected to sign to play baseball at Wright State University.

Lakota East tennis standout to sign with Xavier - Lakota East tennis standout Zach Mueck has committed to Xavier and will sign today, according to Lakota East coach Greg Mahlerwein. Mueck was the Division I state runner-up last spring. “I’m confident he will have an outstanding senior year here at Lakota East and that he will immediately be a valuable contributor to a talented Xavier tennis team next year,” Mahlerwein told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Lakota volleyball standouts – Two players from Lakota West, Corri Muha (Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (Northern Kentucky University), and two from Lakota East, Hannah Berling (Tusculum College) and Hannah Sigala (Morehead State University), can officially sign letters of intent Wednesday.

Lakota East basketball seniors – The Lakota East girls’ program could have its best basketball season ever in thanks to seniors Alyssa Grevenkamp (University of Findlay), Tazzie Shaw (Marshall University) and Whitney Wyckoff (Yale University). All three can sign with their schools Wednesday. The Thunderhawks feature other players who are currently deciding between schools.

Posted in: Events, Fall sports, School events, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Corna, Alyssa Grevenkamp, cincyhoops, cincysports, Corri Muha, girls' basketball, Hannah Berling, Hannah Sigala, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West volleyball, Mel Stewart, Michael Conrad, Michael Conrad Lakota East, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Tazzie Shaw, Tazzie Shaw Lakota East, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

A total of 11 Lakota athletes are eligible to sign National Letters of Intent this upcoming Wednesday.

November’s National Signing Day is for athletes in the class of 2012 who participate in the following sports; basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving, lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics, softball, golf, hockey, baseball and tennis.

Football and soccer players can sign in February.

From Lakota West:

Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College)
Shabazz Reeves (girls’ basketball – Morgan State University)
Summer Reeves (girls’ basketball – Morgan State University)
Mel Stewart (volleyball – Northern Kentucky University)

From Lakota East:

Hannah Berling (volleyball – Tusculum College)
Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University)
Alyssa Grevenkamp (girls’ basketball – University of Findlay)
Zach Mueck (boys’ tennis – Xavier University)
Tazzie Shaw (girls’ basketball – Marshall University)
Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University)
Whitney Wyckoff (girls’ basketball – Yale University)

The Lakota East Athletic Department announced that it would hold its signing day event in early February for all of its signees.

Meanwhile, Lakota West has not yet planned a signing day event this November. Last year, West held a signing event in November and February, as well as others throughout the school year.

For a list of other Cincinnati area student athletes who could be signing Wednesday, visit Cincinnati.com.

Posted in: Events, Fall sports, School events, Schools, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Alex Corna, Alyssa Grevenkamp, cincyhoops, cincysports, Corri Muha, girls' basketball, Hannah Berling, Hannah Sigala, Lakota East, Lakota East baseball, Lakota East basketball, Lakota East Sports, Lakota East tennis, Lakota East volleyball, Lakota West, Lakota West basketball, Lakota West sports, Lakota West volleyball, Mel Stewart, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Tazzie Shaw, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck