High School Boys Basketball
Railers shut down Springfield Lanphier 60-42

[January 09, 2023]

The Lincoln Railers picked up a Saturday afternoon non-conference win over the Springfield Lanphier Lions by a final score of 60-42.

The two teams each held their own to start the contest between the two former and future Central State Eight rivals. Lincoln had a 4-1 lead to start the game, with Tyler Sasse and Jake Bivin each hitting jumpers for the Railers.

Tyler Sasse (22) made some great plays in the paint for Lincoln versus Lanphier.

The Lions then jumped in front of the Railers 5-4. After a basket by Cook near the 4:30 mark the Railers took over the lead for good. With the Lions being called for goaltending on the Railers next possession, Sasse was credited with the bucket and the Lincoln lead was 8-5. A steal and bucket by Bivin put Lincoln on top 10-5. Sasse hit a three to give Lincoln a 13-7 lead and the senior was off to a hot start, scoring seven points early. After a three from Cook, Lincoln held a 16-7 advantage. Following a couple free throws and a three by Camden Nelson, the Railers commanded a 21-10 lead. Cook’s drive in the lane turned into a three-point play to give Lincoln the 24-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Railers defense continued to rattle the Lions after a quick Nelson three to start the second quarter, Lincoln was commanding a 27-10 lead.

Payton Cook (34) soars above his opponent in the Lober-Nika Gymnasium.

Finally, after a Railers steal and a layup by Aidan Gowin, the Railers boasted a 29-10 lead. JaiQuan Holman finally snapped the Railers 13-0 run that overlapped into two quarters with his three at the 6:00 mark. Following a Lions fast break, the lead was cut to 29-15. Nelson’s three got the Railers offense going again and after Cook spun around in the lane to nail the fadeaway jumper, the Railers were on a roll, leading 34-18. A jumper by Hayes would make the score 36-20. Lincoln’s lead grew to 38-22 after a bullet pass from Nelson to Sasse resulted in a bucket in the paint. The Lions would eventually have to settle for a 38-26 deficit at the half.

Bivin’s corner three to start the third quarter was pretty and hopefully mom Cindy captured it inside Lober-Nika Gymnasium. Trey Schilling also hit a three to give Lincoln a 44-29 lead. Holman and Shaun Hatchett continued to pace the Lions and after a three from the latter, Lanphier was still in the running, yet trailing 46-35.

Aidan Gowin (2) finds a way to create a shot versus the Lions.

One more basket by Gowin set the third quarter score at 48-35.

With Ki’on Carson steering the ship in the fourth quarter, the Railers garnered their biggest lead of the game, 58-40 with just under two minutes remaining. Carson poured in six fourth quarter points and he was helped by Hayes and Cook on the offense. One final jump shot from Gowin went in and the Railers captured the 60-42 win over the Lions.

Payton Cook (34) led Lincoln with 12 points versus Lanphier.

Payton Cook led the Railers with 12 points. Camden Nelson scored his 11 points in the first half to help Lincoln out to a nice lead.

Lincoln improved to 14-3 on the season.

The Lions fall to 10-6 on the season.
 

In the JV game, the Railers defeated Lanphier 62-39. Gabe Smith led Lincoln with 12 points. Brady Miller and Drew Hayes each contributed 11 points.

Lincoln will play at Quincy on Saturday, January 14, 2023. The JV game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Varsity is set to tip-off at 7 p.m.

Varsity scoring

Lincoln 60

Cook 12
Nelson 11
Sasse 9
Carson 8
Bivin 7
Gowin 6
Hayes 4
Schilling 3

Springfield Lanphier 42

Holman 14
Hatchett 14
Robinson 4
Rice 3
Lee 3
Bates 2
Davis 2

JV scoring

Lincoln 62

Smith 12
Miller 11
Hayes 11
Stevens 9
Graue 6
Komnick 5
Sanders 4
Huskins 2
Horton 1
Gulley 1
 

Lanphier 39

Lee 10
Campbell 10
Rhone 5
Malone 4
Criss 3
Holman 3
Barger 2
Thomas 2

[Teena Lowery with photos by Cindy Bivin]