LINCOLN -- A lack of crisp offensive execution down-the-stretch hurt Lincoln's girls basketball team during the Queens of the Court tournament hosted by Green Forest the second week in November.
Tourney Action
The trend began in their opening, 34-31, victory over Green Forest. Lincoln jumped out to an early 12-3 lead with nearly six minutes gone in the first quarter. The Lady Wolves held an 18-11 advantage at halftime. They lost the lead briefly during the third quarter, but soon regained the upper hand and led, 24-21, going into the fourth quarter. The Lady Wolves maintained a 7-point advantage with just under a minute to play, but two turnovers allowed Green Forest to make a 5-0 run and get off a 3-point shot that missed at the buzzer.
With the win Lincoln advanced to a semifinal matchup versus Pea Ridge and lost 35-31 in overtime. The Lady Wolves were involved in yet another close contest in the consolation game, losing 51-47 to 3A power Greenland.
"All of our games were tight," said Lincoln coach Brian Davenport. "Our first two games both were decided by four points, one of them in overtime. That can kind of give you an idea."
On a positive note, Davenport rotated 10 girls in and out of the lineup and felt he got good mileage out of all 10.
"We're playing really well defensively I feel; and rebounding well for our size cause we're not real big," Davenport said. "We have to work on our late-game execution, offensively just finishing a game."
Starting Five
A trio of seniors are starting for Lincoln led by point-guard Kendra Cummings (5-8), who averaged 16 points-a-game in the Green Forest tournament.
"Kendra is our offensive leader," Davenport said.
Natalie Howard (5-5) plays shooting guard and Darian McConnell (5-9) plays center or post. Junior Holly Webb (5-6) plays forward and sophomore Jessica Goldman (5-10) is at shooting forward.
Reserves
Davenport said sophomore Allison Cunningham is capable of becoming a starter. Junior Madison Jones (5-7) has been coming off the bench as a shooting guard, a position also played by sophomore Avery Massey. Sophomore Libby Calico is a backup point-guard.
Off-Season Training
Davenport likes what the girls have put into the program during the off-season, saying, "We had a real good off-season, and still continue to have a good preseason weight training program to help our strength and speed."
Conference Outlook
Lincoln will compete in a mixed conference, comprised of 3A-1 and 4A-1 teams during the regular season.
"I think it's the best 3A-4A league in the state in my opinion," Davenport said. "When you consider the quality of coaches and talents at every school, I'd put them up against anybody. It's going to be a good battle between everybody, every conference game."
Davenport cautions against under-estimating the 3A schools in the conference, including Greenland and West Fork.
"Even though they're 3A, they compete at a higher level anyway," Davenport said. "It doesn't get any easier any night because the 3A schools are very-well coached and they have great tradition."
Lincoln lost, 40-22, at Berryville Nov. 15.
Sports on 11/23/2016