WEST CHESTER TWP. — Lakota West High School has named Kelven Moss as its new head boys basketball, pending board approval on Monday.
“I’m excited to be the leader of the helm at Lakota West High School,” Moss said in a statement. “My goal is to create a championship culture not only on the court, but in the classroom and in the community. I expect to make an immediate impact in the GMC, and in the state of Ohio. I look forward to making all the alumni who have walked these hallways at West proud. It’s a great day to be a FIREBIRD!”
Moss comes to Lakota West with 16 years of coaching experience, including 10 years as a head coach. His head coaching experience includes the college level, where his teams won three conference championships, and high school experience coaching in the Greater Miami Conference and the Greater Catholic League — two of the top basketball conferences in Ohio.
“Our search included strong candidates from throughout the tri-state area,” Lakota West principal Ben Brown said in a statement. “Coach Moss has proven to be dedicated coach to each and every student-athlete. Not only is he knowledgeable and passionate about basketball, but his excellence as a school leader has earned respect from students, parents, colleagues, and community members. We welcome Coach Moss and his family to the Lakota West family.”
Moss, the Middletown head coach the past two seasons, succeeds former Firebirds coach Jim Leon. Lakota West announced in February that Leon would not return next season after being the Firebirds coach the past five seasons.
“I am very thrilled about bringing Coach Moss into Lakota West as our Head Basketball Coach,” Lakota West athletic director Scott Kaufman said in a statement. “As an AD, when the all-time leading scorer in Lakota West History refers to a coach as ‘the best trainer he has ever had’, I need to take notes and do my homework. With the hiring of Coach Moss, we accomplished exactly what I was hoping to for our kids, our basketball program and our community.”
Moss is a 2001 Middletown High School graduate and had coached the Middies since May 2021. The Middies went 23-25 during the past two seasons..
Moss was the Fenwick head boys basketball coach for two seasons prior the taking the Middletown position, leading the Falcons to a 27-19 record.
Moss played at Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) and was the Miami University Hamilton head men’s basketball coach for three seasons and an assistant coach for one season.
“His philosophies align directly with Lakota’s emphasis on preparing our students for success once they graduate from our school,” Kaufman said. “He has a tremendous knowledge and passion for the game of basketball that will take our program to new heights.”
