Peaks And Valleys

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Lincoln girls basketball coach Deon Birkes goes over the game plan with his team during a timeout. In a season of peaks and valleys, the Lady Wolves must jell into a cohesive unit in February to achieve a post-season run.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Lincoln girls basketball coach Deon Birkes goes over the game plan with his team during a timeout. In a season of peaks and valleys, the Lady Wolves must jell into a cohesive unit in February to achieve a post-season run.

LINCOLN --The Lincoln girls basketball season was a journey of peaks and valleys for the Wolfpack.

Lincoln started 1-3 in November. Things looked better in December with the Lady Wolves picking up conference wins over Gentry (29-26) and Pea Ridge (56-49). Lincoln led just 35-34 after three periods before a fourth quarter surge fashioned a 58-43 homecourt win over Cedarville played as a make-up game due to winter weather on Dec. 17.

Senior Hayle Sugg hit 2-of-2 at the charity stripe then took a lead pass to finish a fast-break to score the first four points of the final frame for Lincoln. Cedarville got one free throw, then Madison Rich nailed a 3-pointer and following another Sugg foul shot, stole the ball leading to Shelby Rowe's conversion of both shots of a 1-and-1 bonus.

Jaycie Neeley completed a 12-1 run by taking a pass from Sugg in the high-post and scoring down low as Lincoln built a 47-35 lead with 4:12 showing. Cedarville cut the lead to eight but Rowe looked off the defense and utilized a quick dribble to score going down the lane. Neeley offset another Pirate free throw by driving the middle for a lay-in.

In the last two minutes, Sugg added another fast-break bucket, Rowe hit from 3-point range and Ashtyn Rothrock drew a double team by maneuvering with her back to the basket, then threw the ball over the top to Sugg, who was alone under the goal. The Lady Wolves closed out the contest on a 7-1 run to take the 58-43 win.

Lincoln coach Deon Birkes said role players are contributing to the team and praised the work ethic of senior guard Madison Rothrock, whom he said is giving the team a lift after overcoming personal adversity.

"She's not the star but she works hard for the opportunity," Birkes said. "She transferred over here, had to sit out a year, then tore her ACL. Here she comes back and she's a senior. She comes and gets the keys to the gym and works out on her own."

At the Ozark tournament on Dec. 27, Lincoln gave up 15 points to the Pirates in both the first and fourth quarters and despited a 24-point outing from Sugg and 10 points from Sarah Siffing, lost 49-47.

In the second round Lincoln got by Dardanelle, 43-40, using a strong fourth-quarter finish to forge a win. The Lady Wolves trailed, 21-17, at halftime and 29-27 after three quarters before outscoring Dardanelle, 16-11, in the final frame. Lincoln seniors, Shelby Rowe and Sugg, chipped in 13 apiece for the Lady Wolves.

Against Mena, Lincoln got off to a bad start and trailed, 13-3, after one quarter, which proved to be decisive with Lincoln outscoring Mena, 45-42, the rest of the way before falling, 55-48. Rowe scored 15 and Courtney Lloyd had 12.

Sports on 04/09/2014