http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO8kDGKrTy0
Hornets deliver second straight section title with eyes on state
UNIV. OF SAN DIEGO – Saturday night in the Division II finals, Lincoln left no doubt that they are the best team in San Diego. Before a crowd of 4,000 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, the top-seeded Hornets drubbed second-seeded Hoover 85-55 to win their second straight section title and show why they are considered one of the elite teams in the state.
“We wanted to come out and prove everybody wrong and show that we are the No. 1 team in San Diego,” said Lincoln guard Norman Powell. “It was just coming out and keeping that Lincoln tradition.”
Lincoln (29-1) scored the first seven points of the game and led 19-9 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Hoover (26-7) settled in and held Lincoln to 12 points with a triangle-and-two defense, and the Hornets took a 31-25 lead into halftime.
“They took away our two top scorers, and we had a hard time adjusting to that on the fly. At halftime we made the adjustments and we drew up some plays,” said Lincoln head coach Jason Bryant. “We came out and executed in the third quarter and that was the difference.”
Lincoln started the second half on an 11-0 run and led Hoover by 18 points at the end of the quarter. The Hornets scored the first 19 points of the fourth quarter to turn a convincing win into a blowout.
“Based on their comments last year, they thought that if the game was extended three more minutes they could have won,” Bryant said. “We thought about that all year this year and we wanted to prove that that wasn’t true – we wanted to make sure we soundly won this game.”
Powell scored 19 points to lead Lincoln and finished in double figures along with Simpson, and guards Tyrell Robinson and Jerry Cobb. The Hornets are expected to receive the top seed in the Division II state playoffs and fully expect to defend their state title.
“We know we are up there, and we are ready for state,” said Lincoln forward Rasean Simpson. “Anybody who wants to come, we are ready for them.”
Last season, Lincoln fought all year to prove they were the best team in San Diego. This year, the Hornets came in as preseason No. 1 and Bryant said he thinks the 2010-11 team is better than its state champion predecessor.
“These guys have been together for all fours years and they like each other,” Bryant said. “We play together as a team, we’re faster and more athletic, and I think this year’s team is the better team.”
Had Lincoln not lost to state No. 1 Long Beach Poly in December, they would be entering the state tournament as the top team in California. The Hornets certainly have the necessary credentials and bravado.
“Poly is the clear No. 1; they haven’t lost to a California team and that makes them No. 1 in the state automatically,” Bryant said. “Poly is a solid No. 1, we’re No. 2 and we’re fine with that spot.”
For Hoover, senior forward Angelo Chol scored a game-high 27 points. Lincoln’s pressure forced the Cardinals to commit 34 turnovers in the game.
“We wanted to put a whooping on them,” Simpson said. “We had to prove that we were No. 1 in San Diego.”
Lincoln – 85 (19-12-27-27)
Powell 19, Simpson 15, Tyree Robinson 12, Tyrell Robinson 6, K. Smith 6 (starters) Cobb 11, Byrd 7, J. Smith 5, Martin 2, Lovell 2
Hoover – 55 (9-16-15-15)
Chol 27, Booker 7, Northard 4, Holiday 2, Jones 2 (starters) Cain 5, Davis 5, Sims 3
Lincoln guard Tyree Robinson shoots a jumper over Hoover guard Damonte Holiday in the Division II finals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO8kDGKrTy0
Hornets deliver second straight section title with eyes on state
UNIV. OF SAN DIEGO – Saturday night in the Division II finals, Lincoln left no doubt that they are the best team in San Diego. Before a crowd of 4,000 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, the top-seeded Hornets drubbed second-seeded Hoover 85-55 to win their second straight section title and show why they are considered one of the elite teams in the state.
“We wanted to come out and prove everybody wrong and show that we are the No. 1 team in San Diego,” said Lincoln guard Norman Powell. “It was just coming out and keeping that Lincoln tradition.”
Lincoln (29-1) scored the first seven points of the game and led 19-9 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter Hoover (26-7) settled in and held Lincoln to 12 points with a triangle-and-two defense, and the Hornets took a 31-25 lead into halftime.
“They took away our two top scorers, and we had a hard time adjusting to that on the fly. At halftime we made the adjustments and we drew up some plays,” said Lincoln head coach Jason Bryant. “We came out and executed in the third quarter and that was the difference.”
Lincoln started the second half on an 11-0 run and led Hoover by 18 points at the end of the quarter. The Hornets scored the first 19 points of the fourth quarter to turn a convincing win into a blowout.
“Based on their comments last year, they thought that if the game was extended three more minutes they could have won,” Bryant said. “We thought about that all year this year and we wanted to prove that that wasn’t true – we wanted to make sure we soundly won this game.”
Powell scored 19 points to lead Lincoln and finished in double figures along with Simpson, and guards Tyrell Robinson and Jerry Cobb. The Hornets are expected to receive the top seed in the Division II state playoffs and fully expect to defend their state title.
“We know we are up there, and we are ready for state,” said Lincoln forward Rasean Simpson. “Anybody who wants to come, we are ready for them.”
Last season, Lincoln fought all year to prove they were the best team in San Diego. This year, the Hornets came in as preseason No. 1 and Bryant said he thinks the 2010-11 team is better than its state champion predecessor.
“These guys have been together for all fours years and they like each other,” Bryant said. “We play together as a team, we’re faster and more athletic, and I think this year’s team is the better team.”
Had Lincoln not lost to state No. 1 Long Beach Poly in December, they would be entering the state tournament as the top team in California. The Hornets certainly have the necessary credentials and bravado.
“Poly is the clear No. 1; they haven’t lost to a California team and that makes them No. 1 in the state automatically,” Bryant said. “Poly is a solid No. 1, we’re No. 2 and we’re fine with that spot.”
For Hoover, senior forward Angelo Chol scored a game-high 27 points. Lincoln’s pressure forced the Cardinals to commit 34 turnovers in the game.
“We wanted to put a whooping on them,” Simpson said. “We had to prove that we were No. 1 in San Diego.”
Lincoln – 85 (19-12-27-27)
Powell 19, Simpson 15, Tyree Robinson 12, Tyrell Robinson 6, K. Smith 6 (starters) Cobb 11, Byrd 7, J. Smith 5, Martin 2, Lovell 2
Hoover – 55 (9-16-15-15)
Chol 27, Booker 7, Northard 4, Holiday 2, Jones 2 (starters) Cain 5, Davis 5, Sims 3
Lincoln guard Tyree Robinson shoots a jumper over Hoover guard Damonte Holiday in the Division II finals