For the first time since 1985, the Lincoln boys basketball team has secured their date to MSHSAA's "big dance" at Mizzou Arena in Columbia on Wednesday, March 12, where they'll play Eugene in one of two semifinal matchups in Class 2. That game time is set for an 8:00 PM tip-off.
On Friday, the Cardianls defeated Gallatin, 48-40 in a game that saw the powers to be move the location to Chillicothe to support the fanbase of both schools. Needless to say, the town of Lincoln is excited to the hilt. The downside is that they will face a powerhouse in Eugene (26-4) a top ranked school, who defeated the Cardinals (23-4) by a score of 62-27 in Lincoln back on January 3.
That same team defeated their quarterfinal opponent, Blue Eye, by a final of 81-31.
Coach Tyler Burke was naturally elated about the huge victory.
"We came out of the gate really well and got out to a 10-4 lead. We had forced some turnovers and got some points in transition," he said. "We knew they were a really good team that shoots really well from the perimeter, so it was going to be a back-and-forth game. They came back and took a 5 point lead at the half.
He went on, "Despite that, we had a lot of confidence going into halftime because we felt like we could get good shots and we felt like we could limit their production in the paint on the defensive end. Brayden Benham was really scoring it well and attacking the basket with 10 points in the first half. In the second half, we did what we have done all year. We held them to only 3 made field goals in the second half. (One 3 and two 2’s). We made 5 3’s in the second half."
The enthusiastic coach added, "We gained an 8 point lead late in the game and were able to hold it despite their pressure late. We had outstanding contributions by all of our guys. Ben Eckhoff was too much for them to handle on the inside. His 8 points and consistent post-ups and offensive rebounds led to open shots for his teammates. Dawson Parrott had a tough task of guarding an all-state caliber player and playing point guard against their defensive pressure. He was outstanding at both ends, holding the Wilmes kid (a 1,000 point scorer as a junior) to 12 points. And Parrott also had 2 big 3’s in the second half. Riley Sanders and Chance Koll also added 3-point baskets in the second half and played outstanding defense. Anthony Srader finished the game playing outstanding defense and rebounding. Camden Everhart also played important minutes. Braydn Benham led us with 16."
Naturally, Burke was excited for his kids and opportunity in front of them.
“I was so proud of our kids. The whole community is," he commented. "This season hasn’t been perfect. We have had some rough quarters, and some bad games, but our kids have shown time and time again they will battle and grind in the face of adversity. They’ve shown a lot of mental and physical toughness."
In conclusion, he added, "We’ve got talented kids and that’s why we are in the Final Four. It takes all 21 guys working toward one goal to have a season like this, and they’ve made sure it’s one we will never forget."
Lincoln outscored Gallatin 20-7 in the fourth to seal the win. It was 14-14 after one, 27-22 (Gallatin) at the half and 33-28 (Gallatin) after three.
If you are unable to attend the upcoming game(s), though behind a paywall, all MSHSAA championship contests will be broadcasted via mshsaa.tv.
LINCOLN (48): Sanders, 9; Parrott, 10; Koll, 3; Benham, 16; Eckhoff, 8.
GALLATIN (40): Donavan, 10; Wilmes, 12; Henry, 12; Byrd, 6.
