February 28, 2008
Lincoln's Big Fourth Quarter Rally Beats ROP

Photo by Shawn Frehner Kevin Hannig goes high for two points over Needles' J.T. Loftin.

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Freshman Dantley Walker scored a career-high 36 points, including seven 3-pointers to lead Lincoln County into the 2A State Finals with a 73-65 win over Right of Passage (aka Silver State Academy).

The Lynx blew the game open with a 28-point fourth quarter. Walker had four three-pointers in the first half, some from beyond NBA range, and was 7-of-9 at the line over the last 1:50 to ice the win for Lincoln. He finished the game 9-of-11.

Walker’s efforts overshadowed a fine 23-point performance from Elijah Rucker of ROP and 18 from teammate Nigel Williams. Kevin Hannig scored 15 points for Lincoln and Chris Bernal added 12.

But the real story of the game was the great 28-5 run by the Lynx (21-7) in the fourth quarter. The Rams (23-6) held a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter when Coach Nate Landa pulled his starters and put in substitutes, perhaps feeling they could hold the large lead. He underestimated how fierce a cornered Lynx can be.

Lincoln Coach Mike Wood seized upon the opportunity and threw on a full court press, which resulted in three turnovers and six points in the space of about 30 seconds, cutting the lead to 57-52 with 5:25 remaining. “We hadn’t pressed them the whole game,” said Coach Mike Wood. “We put a hard diamond press on them and they started turning the ball over and throwing the ball away and we converted on those turnovers and the next thing you know, we’re right back in the game.” Following a Rams timeout, Lincoln stayed with the press and Walker and Hannig reeled off 11 more points between them to give Lincoln a 63-59 lead with just over three minutes left.

The Rams begin to panic and put up five wild 3-point tries and no offensive rebounds. In the meantime, Walker kept marching calmly and coolly to the free throw line.