Lincoln wins final home game over Taylorville 45-29
- Singleton and Hullinger combine for 40 points
 

[March 14, 2021]  The seniors put on quite a show Friday night in Lincoln. As the players took the court against Taylorville, the crowd was definitely a lot more vocal as the cheerleaders led the way.

Dylan Singleton was quick to get the crowd ignited with his signature move in the middle that put the Railers up 2-0. Adam Grunder’s three gave Lincoln a 5-0 lead at the 7:02 mark. Landon Hullinger scored his first basket at the 6:34 mark, a three in front of the Taylorville bench, to make the score 8-2.

A lob pass to Hullinger under the basket from Eiljah Pollice would allow the big guy to score and take the foul. The and one by Hullinger put the Railers in a comfortable 11-3 lead.

With 3:38 on the clock it was Singleton under the hoop, making it look easy as he dropped in two points and the score was 13-5. Seconds later it was the scrappy senior picking up the loose ball and scrambling towards the basket for two more points. The Railers were in charge 15-5.

The Tornadoes would come swirling back around as Wyatt Shirley scored five unanswered points and the first quarter score was complete with Lincoln on top 15-10.

Hullinger got the offense going in the second quarter on a three and the lead grew to 18-10. A bullet pass from Singleton to Pollice across the lane created another Railer basket and the score was 20-10 with 5:36 remaining in the half. The Tornadoes came spinning their way back in the game though. Five quick points by Taylorville and the gap was closed to 20-15.

Singleton’s little one-handed jumper in the lane at the minute mark gave the Railers a 22-15 lead and that would stick until halftime.

The third quarter started off slow, with Taylorville putting up four points and the Railers goose eggs in the first three minutes of play. Hullinger finally broke the scoring slump with 4:46 on the clock. He would find a rhythm and connect for another basket at the 3:38 mark. Lincoln held a 26-19 lead.

Back-to-back steals by Singleton in the third quarter resulted in him taking it to the basket and both opportunities he scored to give Lincoln a 30-21 advantage as the quarter closed.

Singleton and Hullinger combined to score all of the fourth quarter points. Singleton poured in 10 points in the final six and a half minutes of the game while Hullinger tossed in five points.

Singleton stepped back to make a couple threes in the quarter, as it became evident the team was trying to create baskets for the senior. Singleton continued to drive the lane when he could, but the Tornadoes kept a close eye on him. With 47.3 seconds remaining Singleton made his last two free throws on Neil Alexander Court and exited the game to much applause. The senior recorded a 22-point performance in his final game at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium.

The other two seniors, Landon Hullinger and Adam Grunder had exited the game just seconds earlier and received the gratitude of the fans and high fives and hugs from coaches and teammates.

The Railers stepped to the court one last time to thank their families for their support this season.

Lincoln wins the game 45-29 over Taylorville.

Singleton’s 22 points led all scorers and gave him 997 career points with two games remaining today. Hullinger finished the game with 18 points for the Railers.

Lincoln improves to 17-4 on the season. The Railers finish 10-4 in the Apollo Conference.

With the win on Friday night, Coach Neil Alexander is tied for second place for all-time wins by a coach in Illinois history.

In the JV game, the Railers defeated the Tornadoes 46-14. Camden Nelson tossed in five threes as he poured in 18 points to lead Lincoln. Payton Cook scored 12 points for Lincoln.

The Railers Varsity will play today at 10 a.m. versus Bloomington Central Catholic. The Railers will then turn around and play Peoria Quest at 12:30 p.m. at Bloomington Central Catholic School.

One more quick note about Friday’s game. Following the Varsity win, the players and coaches stepped out onto the court and walked towards the crowd, which was seated in the upper level of the gym all season, and waved thanks to the family in attendance for their support. While most of Railer Nation had to watch all season long from home at least the presence of family was felt and indeed was much appreciated by the Railers.

Varsity scoring

Lincoln 45

Singleton 22
Hullinger 18
Grunder 3
Pollice 2

Taylorville 29

Shirley 10
Clayton 6
Czajkowski 4
Friedrich 4
Bitschenauer 3
Repscher 2

JV scoring

Lincoln 46

Nelson 18
Cook 12
Sasse 7
Schilling 5
Bivin 4

Taylorville 14

Turvey 6
Anthony 5
Bitschenauer 3

[Teena Lowery]