The Lincoln girl’s basketball team earned yet another sectional championship and is one win away from Charleston.
The Cougars claimed the sectional crown with a 59-34 win over Grafton in Shinnston last week. The Class AA #1 squad wasted little time establishing a 17-4 lead after the first quarter. Lincoln Head Coach Rob Hawkins must have been feeling a little chilly early on so he decided to crank up the heat on the Bearcats with some pressure defense. It set the tone for the evening allowing a sizable lead that the visitors could never really overcome. The second period provided a standoff with each team scoring 12 points in the segment. The host’s efforts resulted in a double digit advantage heading into the halftime break.
Hawkins utilized the locker room time to his advantage as his group grew its lead by eight points heading into the fourth quarter where the Cougars cruised to the win.
Hope Bray and Madison Jefferies scored 15 points apiece. Combined, they were an impressive 9 of 10 from the foul line. Bray recorded a double-double that included 10 rebounds. She also dished out five assists and recorded five steals. Jefferies also chipped in with seven rebounds. Gracie Lamm was the third Lincoln player to find the double digits in the scoring column. Lamm had 10 points, three steals, and three assists. Jade DeBerry scored seven points and pulled down eight caroms. Azlee Barnard contributed five points while Josie Payton had four points and six rebounds.
The Cougars held a 38-28 advantage on the glass. Their pressure defense forced 15 turnovers and allowed the Bearcats just one double-digit score (Teresa Clark had 14 points) in the contest. The win pushed the Cougar record to 23-1 on the season
Lincoln put themselves in position to grab the section with a win over Philip Barbour earlier in the week. The Cougars looked impressive in Wednesday’s win, doubling up the Colts 66-33 in Shinnston.
Lincoln spotted the visitors a 5-0 lead early in the first period. It would be the last time that Hawkins and company would trail in sectional play. A huge second quarter that netted a 19-4 scoring advantage provided a spring board for the hosts. The Cougars went on to outscore their opponent 35-21 in the second half – taking the sectional opener.
Hope Bray led all scorers with 22 points. Bray also hauled down eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and recorded three steals. Madison Jefferies connected for 14 points, pulled down five rebounds, had three steals, handed out three assists and blocked two shots. Jade DeBerry netted nine points. Gracie Lamm scored five points and handed out a game-high five assists. Josie Payton tied Bray for a game high eight rebounds and had two points. Azleee Barnard led the bench with six points. Halie Hardman scored three points and Taylor Talkington had two points to round out the scoring.
Lincoln had a 33-25 advantage in the rebounding department. They also forced 20 Philip Barbour turnovers in the affair. The Cougar defense was once again the key as no Colt player could reach double figures in the contest.
Consistently strong play has accompanied this Cougar team throughout the regular season and it appears as if they are playing their best basketball at the right time.
That will do it for now. Until next week…take care and God Bless!
