LIBERTY TWP. — The Lakota East High School girls basketball team returns four of its five starters from a season ago for the 2022-2023 campaign.
The Thunderhawks are chasing their first Greater Miami Conference title, following two straight sectional championships and district final appearances. Lakota East went 15-10 overall and 10-6 in the GMC last year.
“We’re looking to get a regional birth,” said Thunderhawks coach Dan Wallace, who is entering his fifth season at the helm. “We are deep, loaded with talent — including six seniors and a supporting cast of talented players.”
Senior guard Madison French, who has committed to Miami University, returns for her fourth season as a varsity starter. She fired 43 percent from the floor and averaged 11.3 points and 2.3 steals a game last season. French is 313 points away from scoring 1,000 in her high school career.
“This team is fast, fun to watch, experienced and plays with focus,” Wallace said.
Senior forward Savannah Smith, who has committed to Hillsdale, will see the court as a starter for the third season in a row. She averaged 10 points a game last season, while shooting 44 percent from the floor.
Payton Woody, a senior forward, returns for a third season and averaged eight points and five rebounds a game a season ago. Junior point guard Emma Fohl comes back for a third season.
Wallace said that sophomore point guard Brooke Asher is “primed to have a huge season.”
Wallace noted that junior Celina Blount, daughter of former UC star Corie Blount, “is the best shot blocker I have ever coached and will compete for a starting spot.”
Sophomore Katlyn Pham plays with a ton of electricity and energy, Wallace said. Seniors Riley Wood and Jaila Robinson “can flat out guard” along with sophomore Addyson Johnson, who can guard the 1 through 4 positions, according to Wallace.
Wallace also said sharpshooters in senior Mary Kenrich and junior Phoebe Towe allow the Thunderhawks to stretch the floor.
Lakota East begins the season at Springboro on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
2022-2023 Lakota East Thunderhawks Roster
Number Player Grade Height Position
3 Emma Fohl JR 5’5″ G
5 Katlyn Pham SO 5’5″ G
11 Mary Kenrich SR 5’4″ G
12 Sidney Zawila JR 5’7″ G
13 Addyson Johnson SO 5’9″ G
14 Phoebe Towe JR 5’5″ G
20 Celina Blount JR 6’2″ F
21 Brooke Asher SO 5’6″ G
23 Jaila Robinson SR 5’4″ G
24 Madison French SR 5’11” G
25 Riley Wood SR 6′ F
33 Payton Woody SR 5’10” F
43 Savannah Smith SR 6′ F
2022-2023 Lakota East Thunderhawks Schedule
(Taken from GMC Website)
Nov. 18 at Springboro, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 22 at West Clermont, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 26 Ursuline Academy, 1:45 p.m.
Nov. 27 vs. Gahanna Lincoln, 7 p.m. at Sycamore HS (Journey to the Tourney)
Nov. 30 Middletown, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 3 at Fairfield, 1:45 p.m.
Dec. 7 Mason, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 Sycamore, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 14 at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 Oak Hills, 1:45 p.m.
Dec. 20 at Mount Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Summit Country Day, 7 p.m.
Jan. 4 at Lakota West, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 Colerain, 1:45 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Middletown, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Fairfield, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 at Oak Hills, 1:45 p.m.
Jan. 25 Lakota West, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 at Sycamore, 1:45 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Princeton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 at Mason, 1:45 p.m.
