Kerrigan Neff
The sectional celebration is over.
The Lincoln girls basketball team has spent the week preparing for Saturday’s opener at the Class 2A Speedway Regional against No. 3 Covenant Christian.
“The kids have been really focused this week,” Lincoln Head Coach Rob Bills said. “I was concerned we would a little giddy after the sectional and need to be pushed, but they have come in and worked hard.”
Lincoln (14-10) won its first sectional since 2005 last Saturday with a 64-52 victory over Winchester. It was seventh win in a row for the Golden Eagles and 10th in the last 12.
“We have been very efficient, able to get what we need done in just a bit over an hour,” Bills said. “We have been energized by the fan and community reaction to our sectional championship.”
Rob Bills
Covenant Christian (20-5) has also won seven in a row including a 93-45 sectional championship victory over Park Tudor.
“Covenant Christian is a very talented team and a deep team led by junior Rachel McLimore,” Bills said. “She is 5-10 and can do everything.”
McLimore leads the Warriors in scoring per game at 21.3, rebounding at 6.8 and steals at 3.5.
“They have size, like to get up and down the floor,” Bills said. “(They’re) very deserving of their No. 3 ranking. We will need to play at the top of our game.”
Mikayla Cleary is the second-leading scorer for the Warriors at 7.2 per contest, while topping the team with 3.8 assists every outing.
Kerrigan Neff is the top scorer for the Golden Eagles at 17.0.
Kylei Klein
Kylei Klein averages a double-double for Lincoln with 10.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
Allie Owens scores 9.0 points a game with a team-high 2.6 assists.
Neither team has ever won a regional and this season they only have one common opponent. Lapel defeated Lincoln 79-66 on Nov. 20. Covenant Christian beat Lapel 61-41 on Jan. 23.
Both teams also share the date Jan. 14. It was the last time they lost.
Game Two
Triton Central (15-10) and Monrovia (15-9) meet in the second contest of the day.
Triton Central entered last week’s sectional with a four-game losing streak before the Tigers won three straight to take the crown with a 36-34 victory over Eastern Hancock.
Allie Owens
Isabella Ratliff paces the Tigers at 20.0 points a contest.
Monrovia has won four in a row and six of its last seven. The Bulldogs beat Cascade 45-38 in their sectional title affair.
Kenna Hunter leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 11.7 per game.
Class 2A Speedway Regional Pairings
Lincoln (14-10) vs. Covenant Christian (20-5), 10 a.m.
Triton Central (15-10) vs. Monrovia (15-9), noon.
Championship, 8 p.m.
Regional Championships by TEC Teams
Winchester (2): 2010, 2011
Northeastern (1): 1998
Tri (1): 1998
Union City (1): 2001