By T. Scott Boatright
Lincoln Preparatory School’s hardcourt domination continued this week with home wins over Union Parish on Monday and Ouachita Christian on Thursday that pushed their victory streak to nine straight games.
The win over 76-48 Ouachita Christian at New Living Word Gym Thursday night locked up the District 2-1A regular-season title for the Panthers with a league record of 8-0, two games ahead of second-place finisher St. Frederick.
“First thing, honor to God, but anytime you can win a district championship it’s special, and going through district is even better,” said Panthers head coach Antonio Hudson. “The kids have played hard and handled adversity, so it was deserved. They worked hard and earned it.”
Hudson said that adversity for his Panthers centers on the fact that as a new school being constructed for them is nearing completion, they’ve played multiple seasons now without a true home game.
“I don’t think many people understand the adversity these kids have had to go through not really knowing where we’d have to play, not knowing where we’re going to practice, just being able to handle that adversity and still being able to fight and accomplish what they have is a testament to these kids,” said Hudson.
The Panthers took control early, building a 24-13 by the end of the opening stanza and stretching that advantage to 47-25 by halftime.
Bralyn Mayfield recorded yet another double-double and broke the 1,000 career point barrier, leading the Panthers with 24 points while adding 12 rebounds, four assists, two blocked shots and a steal.
“It’s deserved, especially when you realize he actually did it in only three seasons pretty much,” Hudson said about Mayfield pushing his career-scoring total over 1,000 points. “His freshman year, Chance (Robinson) was a senior and we had Fred Payne, so he didn’t get a chance to play much that season.
“His sophomore year it was D’Mitry Payne scoring for us for the most part. But he’s really come on these last two years and I just can’t say enough about him. That entire senior class between Brandon Heard, Kobe Mack and Jaiden Paige had to be patient waiting to get their chance.”
Stephen Burks, III added 15 points for Lincoln Prep along with four rebounds, four steals and three assists while Mack chipped in with 14 points along with four steals and one dish.
The Panthers also received nine points, 10 boards and six steals from Heard, four points, two rebounds, one steal and one assist from Amarjae Young and four points, a rebound and an assist from Daylon Edwards.
Hudson said that even after taking district, his Panthers have to make sure to maintain a mental edge heading toward the playoffs.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Hudson said. “But winning nine straight could end up being a curse if we’re not careful and don’t stay focused. Sometimes it helps when things get shaken up so you won’t get complacent. We just have to stay focused.”
Lincoln Prep, now 20-4 overall, will next play at Evangel Christian in Shreveport on Monday.
_______________________________________
Lincoln Prep 48, Union Parish 42
Class 1A Lincoln Prep faced a tough task on Monday playing up against Class 3A Union Parish, but a strong second half propelled the Panthers to the win.
The Panthers started strong, building a 15-14 advantage after the opening stanza. But the Farmers fought back in the second quarter to take a two-point lead into the locker rooms at halftime at 27-25.
But Lincoln Prep outscored the Farmers 11-6 in the third quarter and 12-9 over the final eight minutes to secure the six-point victory.
Bralyn Mayfield double-doubled for the Panthers with 16 points and 10 rebounds while adding four assists and a pair of blocked shot
Kobe Mack added 14 points, two boards, two steals, a blocked shot and an assist for the Panthers, who also received 10 points, five rebounds and four assists from Trey Spann.
