Olympiums
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8/11 returners on offense. 4/11 on defense. I still think this will be a very good team.
The Lakota West Firebirds 2023-2024 Thread
- Thread starter Olympiums
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fish82
Well-known member
That's a pretty decent returning nucleus imo.
hes up to his old tricks
Really unsure and wouldn't know how to find this, but does anyone actually know how many transfers LW have gotten since he's been there? Hard to imagine at a school like that they couldn't just win with in-district kids? I guess if you're not getting caught why not?
cincifbfan
Well-known member
Olympiums
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If we’re just counting starters, I believe 13 transfers in the past 4-5 years.
Interesting. You seem to have pretty good pulse on the program. I hear people around the HS coaching world delegitimize what Bolden & co have done there because of the transfers/recruiting. Seems like there is a lot of smoke around that fire. I personally don't have a take one way or another. Just was curious. Like I said, if you're not getting caught, why not do it.
TraditionNeverGraduates
Well-known member
Blown out of proportion? Who in Cincy is getting more transfers than West? I guess none of these players have ever had to sit out? I smell a Rat.
Olympiums
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I like to believe in the ole saying “If you build it, they come.”
I think Bolden has built it, and the recruits are coming themselves.
Olympiums
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Incorrect. For example, Bukari Miles had to sit out half of the season his Sophomore year. If parents decide to make a bonafide move into the district, it’s a completely legal transfer. Taebron Bennie-Powell for example, moved into the West district in order to transfer from East. Jackson Smith, and Vincent Giordano most recently, moved into homes within the district.
Lakota West is an extremely attractive landing place for a lot of players. He’s put out more Division 1 talent than anyone around. He has connections all across the country. If you’re moving, why not try to get into West Chester and get your kid to Lakota West.
cincifbfan
Well-known member
Princeton, Winton Woods, Withrow, possibly Anderson.
Olympiums
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I mean Bolden also has done really well with home-grown talent.
In the past 3-4 years Malik Hartford, Ben Minich, Josh Fussell, Tegra Tshabola, Alex Afari among many others, are all home-grown kids.
cincifbfan
Well-known member
Yes, those kids have done well, but would the team have achieved as much without the influx of transfers?
Same could be said for the schools I mentioned above.
Olympiums
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Could Bolden have made it to the regional finals those years without the transfers. I think he could have. But I think the result would be the same.
cincifbfan
Well-known member
Maybe, I'm not as confident. Those transfers played MAJOR roles on those teams. Big shoes to fill.
PardonMyBench
Member
Bingo.
PardonMyBench
Member
As a parent, imagine your kid has waited his turn. He’s worked his butt off, and done everything the coach asked of him. However, just when it’s his time to start, some random kid transfers in that Bolden will start no matter what because they “have DI offers”.
Do you have supporting info Giordano moved? He started at Kings where their home is then on to Fenwick. I think bylaws allow a transfer back to home district, but not necessarily to another district. As far as OHSAA goes, it seems Senior transfers like Giordano have been given more leeway while underclassmen have often been required to miss half the season. As long as OHSAA takes that approach it will continue to happen at an increasing level.
PeterDragon
1st Team All Yappi
Thats when you put your kid in the transfer portal. Duh. Get with the times!
cincifbfan
Well-known member
For the "Big Name" programs, I can't think of a single transfer that has had to sit games regardless of their year.
Olympiums
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At the end of the day, the best 11 will see the field. Transfers are part of the game now. This applies at EVERY level. Not all of the time, but most of the time, these kids have D1 offers because they have shown that they currently play, or soon will play at an elite level. That’s obviously going to correlate with the HS coach’s evaluation of them as well.
I was thinking of the Crumble kid in basketball. Their family bought a house and OHSAA did not approve the exemption. I think OHSAA may look closer at a kid who says he's transferring before the family actually makes a move. But then again you had a kid at Glenville eligible whose dad still owns a home in Twinsburg.
Olympiums
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I wish I was following LW while he was still playing in WC.
NastyNati12
Active member
It’s damn shame how much the 2009 team under achieved with Hicks and Kelly. Team was loaded with D1 talent.
How do you think the QB battle will shake out? The Smth kid played was starter early on but then got surpassed by the Wiles kid correct?
PardonMyBench
Member
Was Smith a member of the best 11? Or was he given unwarranted praise because he’s a 6’3 Freshman who’s ranked high on some recruiting website?
Olympiums
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I personally think Wiles has reached his ceiling. Smith has much more upside and I predict he’ll make a lot of positive strides in the offseason. I think Bolden will roll with Smith.