By T. Scott Boatright
After a somewhat sluggish start against bigger-school competition, the Lincoln Preparatory School boys basketball team marched to a pair wins on Wednesday and Thursday to continue the Panthers’ holiday celebrations heading into the new year.
The Panthers roared past Oak Grove 52-25 on Wednesday before dominating West Ouachita 56-26 on Thursday.
“We needed those wins heading into the new year, which in some ways is kind of the start of a new season,” said Panthers coach Antonio Hudson. “We’re still starting to pull together as a team a little bit, and that’s good to see.
“Now we still have a lot of work to do and a long way to do, but it was good to see the team get those wins and especially play as well defensively as they did.”
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Panthers 52, West Ouachita 25
Lincoln Prep took control early and never let up, using a smothering defense to shut down West Ouachita Thursday afternoon at the Sterlington High School gym.
The Panthers led 14-5 at the end of the first and 31-15 at halftime of the 27-point win over the Tigers.
Trey Spann was the workhorse for Lincoln Prep, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, four steals, three assists and a blocked shot.
Devin Burton added nine points, two boards and a steal for the Panthers while Stephen Burks III chipped in with nine points, two rebounds and a steal while Trumarion Smith added six points, four steals, three rebounds and three steals.
Nick Nelson topped the Panthers on the boards with eight rebounds and a blocked shot along with three points.
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Panthers 56, Oak Grove 26
Devin Burton double-doubled for the Panthers on Wednesday to lead the Panthers to a 30-point win over Oak Grove at the Sterlington High School gym.
Burton totaled 18 points and 15 rebounds while adding six steals and four assists for the Panthers.
Lincoln Prep got off to another strong start in that contest, leading 21-7 at the end of the opening stanza and shutting out the Tigers in the second quarter for a 28-7 halftime advantage.
The Panthers then outscored Oak Grove 20-8 in the third quarter before Hudson emptied his bench to close out the fourth period.
Stephen Burks III added 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists for the Panthers.
Lincoln Prep, now 5-7, will next take a New Year’s break before the Panthers return to their home court on Jan. 5 to play host to Haynesville.
