February 28, 2008
Lincoln Boys 2008 2A State Champs

Photo provided by Shawn Frehner Left to right back row: Coach Mike Wood, Manager Max Barclay, Manager Joe Burton, Trent Tibbitts, Jeremy Avery, Chris Bernal, Dantley Walker, Dylan Hansen, Coach Greg Walker. Left to right front row: Eric Rippetoe , Cody Burgess, Kevin Hannig, Chris Shinkle, Zack Robbins, Ivan Ortiz

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Eric Rippetoe hit four straight free throws in the last 17 seconds to clinch a 78-69 win for Lincoln County over Needles in the 2A State Championship game February 23 in Reno. It’s the first title for the Lynx since 2000, including being state runner-up in 2007. “I’m just really happy for the boys,” said Coach Mike Wood.

While Needles (19-7) played Walker with a box-and-one defensive most of the time and kept him scoreless in the second half, senior Kevin Hannig took full advantage, scoring 12 first quarter points and another eight in the fourth quarter on his way to a game-high 27 points.

Lincoln (22-7) beat the “box” with eight three-point shots; including three by sophomore forward Eric Rippetoe in the second half. At one stretch in the third quarter, the teams shot nothing but 3-pointers, with the edge going to the Lynx 3-2.

Darra Russell, the 2A state scoring leader, kept Needles in the game through much of the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 24 points in that quarter. The Mustangs cut the lead to 66-62 with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Stevie Kidd scored 21 points for Needles, but battled foul trouble much of the final quarter.

Rippetoe had 19 points for Lincoln, Dantley Walker and Chris Bernal both added 11. Eric’s free throws were part of a 9-for-12 effort at the line for the Lynx in the game’s final 2:12. Needles managed to score only four points over the same period.

Wood said Senior Zach Robbins played big minutes for the team and contributed greatly with his defensive efforts in both the final and semi-final games.

In addition, Coach Wood noted the support from the fans that made the trip to Reno was exceptional.