February 14, 2008
Missed Foul Shots Sink Lincoln

Photo by Dave Maxwell Dantley Walker with a driving layup against West Wendover

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

The old saying remains ever true, “You’ve got to make your free throws.” Lincoln County missed 20 (12 for 32) in a tough 57-54 loss to West Wendover February 1, and with it a lost chance to clinch the boys 2A Southern title outright.

Falling behind 6-0 early, Lincoln did not seem able to catch up, especially when the 3-point shot was just not there for them all evening.

Yet, the Lynx fought back, and trailing 50-41 with 3:13 remaining they made a furious 13-7 rally and closed within one point 55-54 in the closing seconds, but just could not get over the hump.

While the Lynx had somebody on Jared Lewis, the state 2A scoring leader at 27.4, all the time, holding him to just 16 points, teammate Brandon Hoston was getting open underneath for a layup time after time, and had hit well from the outside, too. On the other hand, Lincoln was troubled throughout the game by Wendover’s 2-3 zone and collapsing physical defense when the ball did get into Shinkle or Chris Bernal resulting in a number of missed shots.

Shinkle, Kevin Hannig and Dantley Walker all scored 12 points for Lincoln. Hoston scored a game high 22 points for the Wolverines.

The following night, against White Pine, was Senior Night and Coach Wood started his five seniors for their last home game. The five are Kevin Hannig, Zach Robbins, Chris Bernal, Dylan Hansen, and Chris Shinkle.

Freshman Dantley Walker led the Lynx with 19 points and had seven assists, in a 75-51 win over the Bobcats (11-12, 1-6). Chris Shinkle had 16 points and Zach Robbins contributed 10.

Wood said this is the third year in a row that Wendover and Lincoln have split their regular season meetings, both winning on the others home court. Earlier in the week, January 30, Chris Shinkle scored 23 points in a 70-49 non-league win at Moapa. Coach Woods said his team played really well and “Our three big guys really stepped up and rebounded really well and gave us a solid game.” Moapa’s best player was out for a one-game suspension.

Lincoln (15-6, 5-1) plays at both Needles (16-5, 4-3) and The Meadows (4-12, 2-5) this coming Friday and Saturday and needs one win to secure at least a tie for first in league.

Should Lincoln and West Wendover remain tied, with 6-2 league records, the Wolverines would have the advantage for the No. 1 seed into the 2A Southern Regional’s February 15-16, at Del Sol High in Las Vegas, because they won the second game with Lincoln.