By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Preparatory School boys basketball team wanted a challenge as they prepare for the next week’s start of playoff action, so the Panthers scheduled a game against one of the top teams in Class 2A — the Dunham Tigers.
And the Panthers got all the challenge they needed and more as Dunham defeated Lincoln Prep 64-45 in the regular-season finale for Lincoln Prep.
It was a game that was tight for three quarters of action, but unfortunately the Panthers seemed to lose nearly all focus coming out of the locker room after halftime, being outscored 19-3 in the third quarter that dropped them to a 44-31 deficit heading into the final stanza of play.
And the Tigers never let the Panthers make a run in that final eight minutes to earn the win and move to 25-8 on the season.
That came after the Panthers led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter and 28-25 at halftime.
Stephen Burks, III double-doubled for the Panthers, pouring in 16 points and pulling down 10 rebounds while adding three assists and two steals.
Lincoln Prep’s Trey Spann also scored in double figures, hitting for 11 points while adding a blocked shot.
Amrajae Young chipped in with nine points, four assists and two steals for Lincoln Prep, which also received six points each from Trumarion Smith, who added six assists and three steals, and Devin Burton, who also recorded a pair of boards for the Panthers.
Now the Panthers, who stand at 17-8 and fifth in unofficial power rating numbers, await the announcement of Division IV Select School boys playoffs pairings, which will be released on Monday.
