Stockton- After the tough loss against league rivals Modesto Christian, Lincoln’s varsity basketball team came back with bang to secure a spot in the next round of the Division 1 Norcal Playoffs. Last night at Lincoln High School, the Trojans took on Clovis West High School from Fresno, California who are ranked 14th in the Division 1 bracket, while Lincoln is ranked 3rd in the bracket. During league, the Golden Eagles came in third, losing battles to strong competitors in the Tri Rivers league. In the TCAL’s league with teams all around the San-Joaquin Valley, Lincoln came in second losing only to Modesto Christian in less than 5 point games. With a chance to still bring home a title, the Trojans put their all out on the court and showed what it looks like to work together as a team and come out victorious
The starting five for Clovis West was made up of senior captain and guard, Micheal Espinoza, senior guard, Jalen Sarden, sophomore Lawrence Moore, junior Myron Pondexter-Johnson, and lastly, junior guard Jace Kellogg. For the Lincoln High School Trojans, they were led by freshman guard Tre Simmons, senior point guard and co-captain Donez Lindsey, senior guard Zeke Davis, junior forward Dilan Fanucchi, and last but not least, senior guard and co-captain Anthony Moore.
The first quarter started with intensity as Dilan Fanucchi won the jump ball for the Trojans and both teams made it their mission to score the first points of the game. Clovis West looked to #1 Micheal Espinoza to move the ball around the court and find open shots, giving the Golden Eagles the lead throughout the first quarter. However, Lincoln did not play worried, and they used their defensive skills and play making abilities to find open shots for star players Anthony Moore and Donez Lindsey. By the end of the 1st quarter, Clovis West was up 23-14 but this would not be the case for long.
To start the 2nd quarter Tre Simmons came out hitting every three pointer and pull up jumper which helped tie the score and give the Trojans the momentum they needed to take the lead. Not only was Lincoln finding their rhythm on the offensive end, but they were playing with force on the defensive end, grabbing rebounds, diving on the floor for loose boards, and forcing steals. Two standout players on the defensive end in the game were senior Donez Lindsey and sophomore Johnathan Rossiter, both of these players’ performances helping Lincoln take back the lead. By the end of the 1st half, Lincoln was ahead by 8 with a score of 25-17. Both teams headed back to the locker room to discuss how they could do better, one of the teams looking to take back the lead and the other fighting to keep the lead and send the Golden Eagles back to Fresno.
As the third quarter began, Clovis West continued to put up a strong fight just as they had in the first half, but the power of the Lincoln Trojans was too strong. Lincoln’s bench came to life, making up for the small crowd with their loud cheering and chants of “defense” during the game. While Lincoln had been more focused on shooting threes in the first half, they had switched to taking the ball to the basket, finding openings in the defense that provided them with a sure two points. With less than two minutes left in the third, Lincoln began to pull away with the lead, their offense and defense too strong to stop, each player on the team playing their role efficiently. By the end of the third, Lincoln led 43-39, leaving eight minutes on the clock for one of the two teams to come out on top.
Just like the previous quarters, The Trojans and Golden Eagles fought with determination, each teams score in close proximity to each other. As the clock continued to tick, Clovis West began to get worried and started calling timeouts, a chance at the state championship slowly slipping out of their hands. With four minutes left Lincoln put all of their strength into the game, passing the ball to Simmons who had been on fire all night, and Lindsey who was racking up the assists and points last night. The game continued to progress, the athletes on both teams continuously running up and down the court looking for a chance to score, both of the benches full of energy hoping to give their teammates enough encouragement to seal the deal and win the game. As the buzzer sounded out and the scoreboard showed zero minutes left, the mighty Trojans came out victorious with a final score of 57-46, sending the Golden Eagles back to Fresno.
If you were not able to catch this spectacular game at Lincoln last night, then make sure to buy your ticket for March 6th as the Lincoln High varsity basketball team plays at home in the second round of the Division 1 Norcal Playoffs. The Trojans are looking to take the record of the most wins in a season for a Lincoln Basketball team. If the game this Thursday is anything like the last game this week, then you are in for an amazing show!
