Prep pulls away in second half to cruise 58-41 over St. Fred
Playing into St. Frederick’s hands in a slow tempo game through the first half, the Lincoln Prep Panthers upped the ante, and the tempo, in the third quarter to pull away and pick up a valuable 58-41 road win Tuesday.
The Panthers (9-7, 1-0) jumped out quick in the first quarter despite being out of action for over a week due to weather conditions. The Warriors were able to slow the game down and battle in the paint to cut the lead to 2617 at one point in the second quarter — the closest they would get for the remainder of the game.
Prep came out more aggressive in the third quarter. Instead of settling for perimeter shots, they took advantage of St. Frederick’s press and drove the lane repeatedly for layups and trips to the free throw line.
It was a winning formula. In fact, the Panthers went to the line 14 times in the third period, sinking 10 freebies to catapult their lead. Including a bucket by Stephen Burks to finish off the first half, Prep went on an 8-0 run. When Amarje Young sank two free throws at the 6:39 mark of the third, the lead ballooned to 34-19.
The Panthers kept their foot on the gas. Their largest lead of the game came when Trumarion Smith hit a free throw to increase the lead to 4423 with 2:03 left in the third quarter.
St. Fred (9-8, 0-1) trailed 44-28 heading into the final stanza and kept trying to chip away at the lead. The Warriors cut it to 14 at one point, but Prep doused any hopes of a comeback. As soon as the lead was trimmed to 14, Burks hit a bucket and followed by free throws from Smith to increase the lead back to 18 points.
Burks led the way for Prep with 16 points and 11 rebounds on the night, while Trey Spann added 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Young chipped in with 14 points and 3 assists and Smith had 10 points and 10 assists.
The Panthers will return to action Friday when they host Cedar Creek in a big parish and district battle.
GIRLS Lincoln Prep …..................................… 43
St. Frederick …..................................… 31
Lincoln Prep’s Lady Panthers led from the opening tip to the final buzzer in Monroe Tuesday night, taking their District 2-1A opener 43-31 over St. Frederick.
The first quarter set the tone for the Lady Panthers, with a swarming defense and opportunistic offense to jump out to a 10-1 lead heading into the second quarter.
Ashlyn Odom did her part to try to keep St. Fredrick (3-10, 0-1) in the game. She scored seven points in the second quarter in an attempt to reel in Lincoln Prep (8-11, 1-0). At one point, St. Fred cut the lead to single digits at 15-7 on two Odom free throws. Synniah Spann answered with a three pointer to halt the rally.
Prep carried an eight-point halftime lead into the third quarter. St. Fred would get no closer than eight points the rest of the way. Prep led by as many as 17 points early in the fourth quarter when Asijah Wright hit a free throw to increase the lead to 38-21.
The Lady Panthers were able to suffocate St. Fred’s offense all night, forcing 26 turnovers on the night. Shedreana Green led Prep with 10 points and added 9 rebounds on the evening. Jayleen Spann added 9 points and 4 boards, while Cali Cotton chipped in with 7 points. Wright was held to 4 points, but she did work on the defensive end with 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
Prep will be back in action Friday night when they host Cedar Creek in a 2-1A battle.
