Lincoln eliminates Gentry boys, 60-37

— Lincoln doubled its score in the third quarter using an up-tempo game to defeat Gentry, 60-37, in the first round of the district tournament on Feb. 12.

The Wolves led 16-4 early behind 6 points in the low post from Colton Barnum and 7 points from Dylan McConnell, including a 3-pointer followed by a steal for a breakaway score.

Gentry, showing a new look, then cut the deficit to 16-8 with buckets from freshman Mark White.

Gentry coach Sean Price said his boys worked hard and have got to continue to do so. The Pioneers moved a trio of younger players into the lineup, including guards, Wally Dane and Jake Faulkenberry, with White at forward - fresh off winning the junior high district tournament the week before.

“The last 3-4 days of practice, we worked them in there,” Price said. “We fought back in the second quarter and got it to 8 points to give ourselves a chance going into the second half.”

“I felt like I could compete at the high school level,” said Faulkenberry, noting the win over Farmington in the junior high championship increased the confidence of the three, who have been playing together since fourth grade.

Lincoln led 25-17 at intermission, then blew the game open by exploding for 24 points in the third frame to take a commanding 49-25 lead going into the fourth quarter.

“Dylan McConnell and Shandon Goldman really came out and hit some big ones,” said Lincoln coach Tim Rich. “It really helps that window and extends them on out.”

“In the third quarter, they put a little too much pressure on us,” Price said.

Dane had a 3-point shot to score Gentry’s last field goal in the third, but Lincoln answered with Ossy Escareno’s old-fashioned 3-point play.

Both teams played reserves in the fourth quarter; and with the loss, Gentry was eliminated, while Lincoln advanced to a quarterfinal meeting with Ozark.

LINCOLN 60 GENTRY 37 Gentry 8 9 8 12 - 37 Lincoln 16 9 24 11 - 60 GENTRY (4-15, 0-13): Wally Dane 4 0-0 9, Dusty Haag 3 0-0 6, Ethan Barnes 1 2-2 5, Brent Barker 2 0-0 4, Mark White 2 0-0 4, Chancey Edmondson 1 0-0 3, Jake Faulkenberry 1 2-2 3, Jason McArdell 1 0-0 2, Dustin Stoufflet 0 1-2 1. Totals 15 4-6 37.

LINCOLN (11-11, 7-5): Ossy Escareno 4 1-3 10, Colton Barnum 4 2-4 10, Payton Hulse 3 1-3 8, Dylan McConnell 6 4-4 19, Dalton Simmons 1 1-2 3, Shandon Goldman 2 0-0 6, Justin Brewer 1 0-0 2, Gustavo Rojas 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 9-16 60.

3-point goals: Gentry 3 (Barnes, Dane, Edmondson), Lincoln 7 (McConnell 3, Goldman 2, Escareno, Hulse).

Sports, Pages 11 on 02/20/2013