News

Press Release from Lakota West Principal Scott Laman:

Veteran leader returns home with 20 years of experience and a student-first approach

April 14, 2026 | LIBERTY TWP., OH - Lakota Local Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Austin Rhoads as the new athletic director for Lakota West High School. Pending board approval on April 27, Rhoads will begin his role on Aug. 1 for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Rhoads returns home to Lakota West from Springboro High School where he has served as athletic director since 2016. With more than 20 years in education, he brings a strong track record of building student-centered athletic programs, supporting coaches and creating meaningful experiences for student-athletes. 

A proven leader with local roots

Rhoads was recognized with the Southwest Ohio Athletic Directors Association Horizon Award in 2019 for excellence in leadership, professional involvement and program development. He is known for fostering positive team cultures, maintaining high standards and building strong partnerships with families, boosters and the broader community.

“Mr. Rhoads will bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Lakota West as he builds on the strong foundation of Firebird athletics,” said Lakota West Principal Scott Laman. “He is forward-thinking and deeply committed to supporting our student-athletes, not only in competition, but also leadership and personal growth.” 

A Firebird through and through

A 2001 Lakota West graduate, Rhoads earned his undergraduate degree from Miami University and his masters degree in educational leadership from the University of Cincinnati. He began his career as a physical education teacher, serving students in Hamilton and Sycamore before moving into athletic leadership in Springboro. 

Rhoads was inducted into the Lakota Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for his success on and off the field for the Firebird baseball and football teams.

“I am excited and honored to return home to Lakota West and give back to a school and community that has meant so much to me,” said Rhoads. “I look forward to working alongside our students, coaches and families as we continue to build on the strong tradition and winning culture of Firebird athletics.”

The Greater Miami Conference is saddened to share the passing of Steve, a man whose 56 years of service to high school athletics shaped the GMC into the respected conference it is today. His leadership, humility, and unwavering belief in the value of athletics left an imprint on every school and community he touched.

Steve’s path in education began at the University of Kentucky, where he earned his AB in Education in 1957 and later a Master’s in Secondary Education in 1963. Between degrees, he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, a foundation that instilled the discipline and steadiness that defined his career.

After early teaching and coaching at Grant County High School in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, Steve joined Princeton City Schools in 1966 as a teacher, coach, and athletic director. Princeton became the center of his professional life. In his 2006 Princeton Athletic Hall of Fame speech, he said, “It’s not about what I did for Princeton, it is what Princeton did for me.” The district gave him friendships, opportunity, family roots, and a place to pursue his passion for bringing athletics to young people.
Steve became the first athletic director at Princeton Junior High School, where he built a full junior high sports program and played a key role during the 1970 integration of Princeton and Lincoln Heights. Under his leadership, the junior high expanded its athletic facilities, added new programs, and eventually fielded teams in 11 sports. 

His love for high school football led him to create the “Shucks Projections” in 1996, a weekly analysis of Harbin Ratings and playoff possibilities that he managed for 25 years. Among his proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the Academic Athletic Award at Princeton, reflecting his belief in excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Steve’s Princeton experience ultimately led him to the role of GMC Commissioner, a position he held for 26 years. He guided the conference through expansion from six schools to ten and became the GMC’s most trusted ambassador—fair, consistent, and always student-centered. Upon his retirement, the conference created the GMC Sportsmanship Award in his honor.

Today, the GMC honors Steve not only for his decades of service, but for the values he championed: integrity, sportsmanship, opportunity, and community. His legacy lives on in every athlete who competes, every coach who leads, and every school that benefits from the strong foundation he helped build.

Steve’s impact will endure. The GMC is better because of him.

Steve Shuck - "Truly a man for all seasons"

When the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association released their 2025-26 All-Ohio basketball selections, the Greater Miami Conference again provided outstanding representation. 

Girls Basketball

First Team - Erin Thomas (Princeton)

Second Team - Anna Habra (Mason)

Honorable Mention - Emma Christerson (Sycamore), Katie Fox (West), Brooke Burgess (Sycamore), Ava Kammerer (Oak Hills), and Bella Sturgill (East).

Boys Basketball

First Team - Bryce Curry (West), A'mire Gill (Princeton), Josh Tyson (West)

Third Team - Rognny Santiago (Princeton)

Honorable Mention- Roman Combs (West), AJ Dean (Oak Hills), Isaiah Hill (Sycamore), Brycen Johnson (Mason), Kam Mercer (Princeton), Cordell Ball (Oak Hills), Brady Bowman (East), Keith Daniels (Middletown) and Jordan Johnson-Perdomo (Hamlton).

Oak Hills boys basketball coach Mike Price was named Monday afternoon as the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Division I State Coach of the Year. On the strength of a tremendous 2025–26 season, Coach Price was justifiably honored by his statewide coaching peers.

His Highlanders closed the regular season with a 10–6 GMC record (18–8 overall), highlighted by a clutch 52–49 victory over eventual state champion Princeton. Once in the “second season,” Coach Price’s Highlanders reeled off three straight tournament wins, ultimately capturing a Southwest District title before bowing out to Princeton in the regional semifinals. The Southwest District title was Oak Hills first since 1996.

This recognition reflects not only an outstanding 2025–26 campaign, but also Coach Price’s long-standing commitment, leadership, and dedication to basketball and to the student-athletes of Oak Hills.

Mike Price - OHSBCA DI Coach of the Year

(Photo compliments of Oak Hills Athletic Department)

In a dominant "wire to wire" contest, the Princeton Vikings boys basketball squad blasted Hilliard Bradley by a score of 59-38 in the OHSAA Division I title game. This is first boys basketball state title in Princeton High School history. Playing out of the demanding Greater Miami Conference, the Vikings finished the season 25-3 with all three losses coming in league play. No doubt the GMC prepared the Vikings well for this tremendous tournament run.

OHSAA Game Statistics: OHSAA Division I Championship Game Stats

OHSAA Game Recap: OHSAA DI Title Game Recap

Princeton Viking OHSAA State Champions

(Photo compliments of the Princeton Athletic Department)

OHSAA State Championship Game MVP

(Photo compliments of Princeton Athletic Department)

A'mire Gill 

A’mire Gill saved his best for the biggest stage. His performance in the OHSAA State Championship game was nothing short of spectacular. The 6-2 junior guard dominated on both ends of the floor, pouring in 24 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Complementing his offensive brilliance, Gill added 7 rebounds and 2 steals to complete a truly commanding effort. In recognition of his near-flawless night on the hardwood, A’mire Gill was named the Most Valuable Player of Princeton’s State Championship victory.

Princeton Viking Head Coach Bryan Wyant

(Photo compliments of Princeton Athetic Department)

Congratualtions to Viking Head Coach Bryan Wyant on bringing Princeton its first boys basketball state championship. Your leadership and dedication are appreciated.