Railers handle Tornadoes with ease

 JV starts the night with a 48-19 win
Varsity wins 56-29 as three Railers hit double-digits

[December 07, 2019] The Lincoln Railers welcomed the Taylorville Tornadoes to Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium Friday night for an Apollo Conference matchup.

Landon Hullinger, Kaden Froebe and Kameron Whiteman each scored in double-digits to lead the Railers to a 56-29 victory.

Lincoln won the tip over Taylorville but it was the Tornadoes striking first in the scoring column with a three from Sean Czajkowski.

The Railers would not score until Kaden Froebe connected for two free throws at the 5:44 mark.

A minute later Dylan Singleton’s layup would give Lincoln the lead and the Railers never trailed again.

A corner three from Landon Hullinger put Lincoln on top 9-3 with a couple minutes left to play in the first quarter.

Kameron Whiteman decided to break for the basket with a minute left and his bucket put Lincoln in front 12-6.

The Tornadoes did manage a couple baskets in the final minute as the first quarter ended close, 12-11 with Lincoln holding on to the lead.

The second quarter started out to be the Landon Hullinger show. The 6’4 junior is smooth and loves to step out into the corner and surprise his opponent by launching threes. “Lando” hit three consecutive threes for Lincoln to start the second quarter and his soft touch just allowed the ball to barely touch the net as it glided through the rim. The crowd roared each time and Lincoln was on top quickly 21-11.

Taylorville called a timeout to regroup and the result of that was not what the Tornadoes had hoped.

Seth Tungate came out of the huddle to quickly read the Tornado pass and swipe the ball and go all the way for two points. After Hullinger landed at the free throw line to sink two shots, Lincoln was in command 25-11. The Railers were not done either.

Froebe, Whiteman, and Will Ewald all continued to do damage and with 1:31 left to play in the quarter, the Tornadoes had yet to score. Meanwhile the Lincoln lead was now a 20-point difference, 31-11 the score.

Czajkowski finally hit a three for Taylorville with under a minute left in the half. After Taylorville’s Jase Bergschneider sank two free throws, the teams headed to the locker room with the Railers on top 31-16.

The third quarter opened with a 13-0 run by the Railers. The scoring went like this: a nice finger roll through the lane by Ewald, a three from Froebe, two free throws from Froebe, a three from Whiteman and a steal and a layup from Froebe.

The Railers continue to consistently show the opponent that they can beat you from any angle. It’s been said before but worth saying again, the Railers will move the ball quickly and unselfishly as to get the best shot, no matter who takes it.

Bergschneider put together his own 8-0 run next to keep his teams’ hopes alive, but Lincoln always finds a way to score.

Froebe came speeding down the court full throttle with the ball but opted to stop and shoot a short jumper instead of going all the way. His shot was good and Lincoln was up 46-24.

One more field goal out of Bergschneider completed the third quarter and Lincoln was in the lead 46-26.

The fourth quarter scoring happened early and often for Lincoln before the starters took a seat. Singleton danced through the lane and went body-to-body with his defender and won.

Then it was Whiteman and Ewald with field goals. Before Whiteman hit the bench he would connect for two free throws and Lincoln had the game pretty much wrapped up with a 54-26 score at this point.

Taylorville only managed one basket in the final quarter, a three from Bergschneider.

But the Lincoln fans would have one more reason to cheer Friday night. Railer Nation always loves it when the younger subs hit the floor and on this night it was 6’4 freshman Tyler Sasse giving fans a reason to roar. Sasse scored two points in the paint before the game ended and the crowd loved it. His bucket settled the final score at 56-29 and everyone, except the Tornadoes, went home happy.

Landon Hullinger led Lincoln with 14 points. Kaden Froebe tossed in 13 points. Kameron Whiteman was consistent with 12 points. An all-around good night from each and every Railer as well.

The Railers and Tornadoes tied on the boards with 27 rebounds each. Froebe led Lincoln with 8 rebounds.

Lincoln improves to 5-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Apollo Conference.

Lincoln will travel to Mattoon Tuesday night.


Varsity

Lincoln 56

Hullinger 14
Froebe 13
Whiteman 12
Ewald 7
Singleton 6
Tungate 2
Sasse 2

Taylorville 29

Bergschneider 17
Czajkowski 6
Gideon 3
Shirley 3

JV

Lincoln 48

B. Whiteman 9
Klopp 7
Graue 6
Koehler 6
Battin 5
Pollice 5
Miller 4
Baker 3
Hoffert 3

Taylorville 19

Heimsness 9
Clayton 4
Brown 4
Repscher 2

[Teena Lowery]