News

Playing in one of Ohio’s toughest conferences and enduring the season-long GMC grind has prepared the league well for postseason play. As the smoke begins to clear in the Southwest District Boys Tournament, the Greater Miami Conference has placed seven teams in the district finals, each battling for a coveted “Sweet Sixteen” berth.

The Southwest District Tournament bracket link: Southwests District Basketball Brackets

GMC District Finals Teams:

Lakota West, Princeton, Fairfield, Oak Hills, Lakota East, Sycamore and Hamilton

Best of luck to all our players and coaches!

In a familiar showdown between two GMC girls basketball powerhouses, the Princeton Vikings and Lakota West Firebirds will meet once again with everything on the line—this time in the OHSAA Regional Finals. Princeton earned its spot by defeating Middletown, Walnut Hills, and Milford, while Lakota West advanced with wins over Lebanon, West Clermont, and Springboro.

Princeton enters the matchup as the 2026 GMC champion, finishing 15–1 in league play and 21–4 overall. Lakota West arrives as the conference runner-up with a 14–2 GMC mark and a 20–5 overall record.

The highly anticipated regional championship will be played at Mason on Saturday, March 7, at 12:00 PM. The winner moves on to the OHSAA Final Four.

The Lakota Athletic Department proudly announces the 27th edition of the Lakota Athletic Department Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1999, Lakota athletics has recognized 258 individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic heritage and tradition of the Thunderbirds, Firebirds, and Thunderhawks. These honorees represent the full 68-year history and evolution of the Lakota School District.

The banquet and induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 9th, at Wetherington Country Club. Doors will open to the public at 5:00 PM for a social hour, followed by dinner at approximately 6:00 PM and the induction program at approximately 7:00 PM. This is a ticketed event, and no tickets will be sold at the door.  Tickets available: ?? HOF Tickets

Presenting Sponsors of the 2026 Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame:
Pro Source – Paul Hendrickson
Phelan Insurance Agency – Brent Phalen

2026 Inductees

Austin Allinger - Lakota West

Lauren Cannatelli - Lakota West

Devyn Ciotti - Lakota West

Jeff Combs - Lakota East

Ashley Evans - Lakota East

Alyssa Grevenkamp - Lakota East

Chelsea Sherman - Lakota West

Alex White - Lakota East

On the strength of a fourth place team finish in the Southwest District Bowling Tournament, the Oak Hills Highlander girls bowling team became the GMC's only representative in the OHSAA State Bowling Championships. The tournament will be held at HP Bowling Center in Columbus on March 6th and March 7th.

OHSAA State Bowling Information: OHSAA State Bowling Details

DICK’S Sporting Goods appreciates the extraordinary achievements showcased in Greater Miami Conference boys basketball. Widely regarded as one of Ohio’s toughest leagues, the GMC featured both the state’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams this season. In a showdown for the ages, the Lakota West Firebirds narrowly outlasted conference rival Princeton by a score of 58–53 in front of a Cintas Center neutral-site crowd of 7,250 fans.

At the conclusion of each conference season, the league’s head coaches gather to review the year and compare notes. During this meeting, they nominate and select the All-Conference team, as well as the “Player of the Year” and “Coach of the Year.” After a dominant campaign that included leading his Firebirds to an undefeated GMC championship, Lakota West’s Josh Tyson was chosen as the 2025–26 GMC Player of the Year. In a league filled with some of Ohio’s finest coaches, Kelven Moss of Lakota West was selected by his peers as the GMC Coach of the Year.

Josh Tyson  Lakota West Firebirds  GMC "Player of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Lakota West Athletic Department)

Josh Tyson continues to elevate his game, and his on-floor leadership remains a critical component of the Firebirds’ success story. The 6-3 junior has been an impact player for Lakota West since stepping onto the court as a freshman. A three-year varsity letter winner, he has already appeared in 71 games since first donning a Firebird varsity jersey.
This past season, Tyson averaged 16.7 points per game (third in the GMC), handed out 3.8 assists per game (third in the GMC), and posted an exceptional 63.5% field-goal percentage. He was selected Second Team All-Ohio as a sophomore after helping lead the Firebirds to the OHSAA Tournament Final Four.

Head Coach Kelven Moss   Lakota West Firebirds  GMC "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Lakota West Athletic Department)

After skillfully navigating his Firebirds to an undefeated 16–0 GMC season and a 21–1 overall record, Lakota West Head Coach Kelven Moss was selected by his coaching colleagues as the conference Coach of the Year. In just three seasons at the helm, Coach Moss has compiled a remarkable 39–9 league record in one of Ohio’s toughest basketball neighborhoods.

One of the greatest honors a coach can receive is the endorsement of his peers for a job well done. This recognition reflects not only seasonal success but also acknowledges long-term program-building excellence. In this regard, Coach Kelven Moss excels on every front.
Congratulations to Coach Kelven Moss—your dedication and commitment to young people are genuinely appreciated.