By Bill Nestor
The Lincoln girls basketball team lost a major part of its nucleus from last season. Four starters, including the state’s leading scorer, Ashlyn Riley, departed due to graduation, leaving a void to be filled.
Junior guard Sadie Adams is the lone returning starter from a season ago. Seniors Riley Pearlman and Hope Blackwell saw extensive action and the senior post players will provide depth and stability this year.
The third and final senior, Sylvie Salerno missed last season due to injury. Salerno returns to start at a guard spot along with Adams. Sophomore forward Adrianna Elder and sophomore point guard Emery Riley are key starters that will be counted on as difference makers this season.
There are several other players that are looking to make valuable contributions to this year’s edition, Veteran mentor Rob Hawkins has a deep and talented roster competing for playing time.
Freshman Ava McGill is a multi-talented player that can play inside or outside. A pair of juniors, Ali Haught and Gracey Fortney are ready to step in and contribute. Haught is a wing player with Fortney a guard as well. Sophomore Mia Barnes is a wing and freshman Brystol Toth is a post player.
The Cougars are expecting pressure from opponents this year and handling it will be essential. “We lost our two primary ball handlers,” explained Hawkins. Riley, Adams, and Salerno will be counted on to protect the ball and distribute it to the post players. “Our bigs are a strength. We need to get the ball down low to them and they need to finish.”
Scoring the basketball is pivotal for the success of any team and for the Cougars and Hawkins it is no different. “We need to develop consistent scoring. We need to know where we are going to get it from. Now it is scoring by committee.’
If Lincoln can find consistent scorers, they will be a hard team to handle come tournament time.