By T. Scott Boatright
MONROE — Lincoln Preparatory School had four players score in double figures Tuesday as the Panthers opener the District 2-1A season with a 58-41 win at St. Frederick.
The Panthers took control early, leading 17-9 at the end of the opening stanza and maintaining a 28-19 advantage at intermission.
“We needed that strong start, and more importantly, it came because of the style of basketball we like to play — defensive ball,” said Panthers coach Antonio Hudson. “It was a good start to the season because St. Frederick is a good team.”
The Panthers (9-8, 1-0) outscored the Warriors 16-9 in the third quarter to build a 44-28 lead and then held on in the fourth to earn the district-opening victory.
Lincoln Prep had three players record double-doubles, with Stephen Burks III totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds and a steal, Trey Spann added 15 points and 10 boards long with four assists, three steals and a blocked shot while Trumarion Smith chipped in with 10 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and a pair of steals.
Amarjae Young added 14 points along with three assists and three rebounds while Zion Hicks totaled three points and six boards for the Panthers, who will next play host to Cedar Creek in a District 2-1A contest on Friday.
“We got the kind of team balance we want tonight and we need to see that moving forward,” Hudson said. “This was a good start but there’s still a long way to go. We just have to keep building on this win and getting better.”
Lincoln Prep hosts Cedar Creek Friday.
