Schedule
Dec. 3 Wilmington
Dec. 7 Bellbrook
Dec. 10 Mason
Dec. 14 at La Salle
Dec. 17 at Princeton
Dec. 21 Colerain
Dec. 29-30 at Hughes
Holiday Tournament
Jan. 4 at Middletown
Jan. 7 Fairfield
Jan. 8 Elder
Jan. 14 at Oak Hills
Jan. 21 at Sycamore
Jan. 25 Lakota East
Jan. 28 Hamilton
Feb. 1 Princeton
Feb. 4 at Mason
Feb. 8 at Colerain
Feb. 11 Middletown
Feb. 18 at Fairfield
Roster
PLAYER POS HT YR
Ali Barnes G 5-10 So.
Jackson Blue G/F 6-3 Jr.
Monty Boykins G 6-1 So.
Chris Connell F 6-5 Jr.
Phillip Cook G/F 6-3 Sr.
Shane Dixon G/F 6-3 Sr.
Matt Fox F 6-4 Sr.
John Girardot G 6-1 Sr.
Ricardo Maxwell G 6-0 Sr.
Kyle Meadows F 6-6 So.
Rachi Reeves G 5-10 Jr.
Kayaune Ross G 6-1 Jr.
Justin Williams G 5-10 Sr.
WEST CHESTER TWP. — Sean Van Winkle is a lot more comfortable in Year 2 as Lakota West High School’s boys basketball coach than he was last season.
Now he hopes it translates into more wins.
The Firebirds return four letter-winners — led by senior forward Phillip Cook — from a squad that finished 14-8 overall and 12-2 in the Greater Miami Conference.
“Anytime you come into a new situation, your first year you try everything you can to salvage what’s good for your seniors,” Van Winkle said. “As we’ve approached the second year, we’re in a lot better control of what needs to be done and what the expectations need to be.”
Frontcourt
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Cook (13.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg) was a second-team All-GMC selection last year.
“He’s worked hard on his game,” Van Winkle said. “He now has the ability to shoot the ball and put the ball on the ground. We’ll use him both inside and out.”
Junior 6-5 forward Chris Connell brings the ability to block shots, while senior Matt Fox (6-4, 235) will be a physical presence.
Senior Shane Dixon and sophomore Kyle Meadows also could see playing time inside.
Backcourt
Three players — sophomore Ali Barnes, junior Rachi Reeves and senior Ricardo Maxwell — are competing for the starting point guard position.
Sophomore Monty Boykins (4.6 ppg) and senior Justin Williams (3.7 ppg) have the most experience out of the guards.
“Monty is the best pure shooter on the team,” Van Winkle said. “He is only a sophomore, so he has a long way to go in his development. But he has one of the best basketball IQs on our team.”
Senior John Girardot and junior Jackson Blue will provide depth.
Outlook
Much of the season hinges on Cook.
If he elevates his game and becomes one of the top players in the league — while at the same time, guys like Boykins, Williams and Connell fill in around him and produce at both ends of the court — the Firebirds will be in contention for the GMC championship.
“We’re not very good right now,” Van Winkle said, “but each day we get a little better. This team potentially has a chance to get better as the year goes on. That doesn’t always happen with teams.”
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