Lincoln eighth graders runner up in NELMSC

The 8th grade boys moved on in the tournament after defeating Bremen on Thursday night. The team started a little slow in their first gameon Saturday, but were able to climb back into an exciting game against Indian Springs at Crestview Middle School.  Getting down 11-1 after the first quarter, the Red Storm found their stride and went into the locker room only trailing 14-9 as Joe Barron buried a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the half. A hard fought third quarter cut the deficit to three setting up a wild fourth quarter finish.  Lincoln used the momentum to tie up the game with a couple of minutes left, but Indian Springs responded by knocking down a 3-point shot from the wing.  On the ensuing possession Brady Hissong found an opening in the corner and without hesitation nailed a 3-pointer of his own. Hissong wasn’t done yet as he found himself finishing a break away lay-up while getting intentionally fouled giving the Red Storm the ball back ahead by 2-points with just over a minute to play.  Indian Springs was forced to foul and Thomas Dolan and Dane Funston stepped up to knock down clutch free throws in the final minute giving Lincoln a 31-26 victory. This was the best team victory of the season for the 8th grade as eight different players scored: Thomas Dolan with 6, Joe Barron and Brady Hissong with 5, Tolman Mills and Kendall Himes with 4, Kam Vanlue and Dane Funston with 3, Dylan Gamble with 1.

After an exhausting first game, the Red Storm then had to face a tough Warsaw Edgewood team who proved to be too much for Lincoln defeating the Red Storm 48-19.  It was a five point game at halftime and then Edgewood exploded for 23 points in the third quarter, 12 of them from 3-pointers. Joe Barron scored 10 points and Dane Funston added 4 points in the game.  Lincoln ends their season with a record of 14-8.