 Maybe Taylorville coach Carey McVickers should have issued an
avalanche warning.
The Lincoln Railers started the contest on a 23-2 run en route to
a dominating 66-36 victory in the conference opener for both teams,
a game that saw the Tornadoes' CS8 streak reach a drought of 86
games. Every phase of the Railer game, whether it be shooting,
passing, defense, rebounding or hustle, was working at optimum
levels. By the time Taylorville knew what hit them, the contest was
well out of reach and Lincoln had won their 30th game over the
Tornadoes in their last 31, all but six decided by double figures.
"I'm really pleased with where the kids are, especially at this
point in the season," the victorious coach Alexander stated. "If we
play with a chip on our shoulder like we did tonight, this team can
do some good things."
There was a lot of buzz about this game. Taylorville, off to
their best start in over 40 years, came in at 4-0 and was hoping to
end the burden of the 85-game conference losing streak. However, it
was clear from the beginning, it had been impressed on the Railers
that it would not be Friday night.
Tyler Horchem, celebrating his 17th birthday, got the visitors on
the board with a 3. After a quick score from the hosts, Lincoln
exploded on the Tornadoes like a mountainside of snow heading
downhill.
Horchem's next 3 started the 20-0 run as Lincoln (5-1, 1-0)
scored from long range, inside, off the glass, you name it. The
Railers kept finding ways and Taylorville was shell-shocked. The
spurt included nine from sophomore Gavin Block, who was as active as
he has been all year, and six from Will Podbelsek. Both Block and
Podbelsek were on their way to game and career highs of 16 points
each.
The second quarter was played evenly by both squads. The Railer
offense was only able to muster a basket from Edward Bowlby and
seven more points, four on free throws, from Podbelsek. There were a
lot in purple on Friday night who were surprised to see their
Tornadoes down 32-11 at the intermission.
Just like the first quarter, the Railers broke out their shooting
eye and track shoes as an 18-6 run to start the third quarter pushed
the Railer advantage to 50-17. Bowlby's 3 at the 3:49 mark upped the
Lincoln lead to 30 for the first time at 47-17. The run was
highlighted by three more from behind the arc by Horchem. The junior
is certainly becoming an offensive weapon that other teams must
account for. Horchem finished as the third Railer in double figures
with a career high of 15 points, all on 3s.
After an Austin Krusz basket put the red-clad victors up 56-22
late in the third, the Tornadoes were able to convert back-to-back
scoring events for the first time all evening by scoring six points
before Lincoln could tally again, but this one was in the win
column.
An almost evenly played fourth quarter saw the opportunity for
all the healthy members of the team to get some playing time. As the
season wears on, and with Joey Olden's injury, some time gained here
and there may prove very valuable when most needed.
[to top of second column] |
This was not you dad's, or even older brother's, Taylorville
squad. Coach McVickers has this team believing, and they have
won as many games this year as in the past three years combined.
I'm not sure when, but I don't imagine it will be long before
the streak is snapped. Going to a different defense and focusing
more on shooting 3s has proven effective. However, doing so
against Lincoln may not have been the best matchup.
"They play the 1-2-2 just like us, so we knew where the openings
would be and we took advantage with crisp passing and then hitting
the shots when we got the chance," Alexander said.
Lincoln also took good care of the basketball, committing only
five turnovers. For this time of year, five is a great number, but
leave it to the Hall of Fame coach to rein in the troops.
"Well," Alexander said, "I'm a perfectionist and I don't know if
I'll be happy until that number is zero. But for tonight, we'll take
it."
With Podbelsek, Block and Horchem leading the way with 47 points,
Bowlby added eight and Max Cook scored five. Cook led the team with
nine assists, while Block had a game-high nine rebounds and added
six assists. Austin Krusz scored four and Adam Conrady ended the
Lincoln scoring with a pair of free throws.
The JV got the night off to a good start with a 51-48 win in
overtime. It was a game they were forced to come back in as they
trailed by double figures in the second half.
Lincoln is back in action next week on Friday night as they will
open the home portion of the conference season against Jacksonville.
The JV game is scheduled to tip off at 6, with the varsity action on
tap for 7:30.
Oh, as far as the weather for Saturday, no chance of any tornado
warnings. Looks like cloudy and 60. Heck, let's shoot for 66. On
Friday night, the Railers did.
___
LINCOLN (66)
Podbelsek 4 4-5 16, Block 7 0-0 16, Horchem 5 0-0 15, Bowlby 4
0-0 8, M.Cook 2 0-1 5, Krusz 2 0-0 4, Conrady 0 2-2 2, Perry 0 0-0
0, W.Cook 0 0-0 0, Ebelherr 0 0-0 0, Dunovsky 0 0-0. Team 24 6-8 66.
3-point field goals 12 (Horchem 5, Podbelsek 4, Block 2, M.Cook).
TAYLORVILLE (36)
Wilhour 4 0-0 11, Champley 3 0-0 7, Jackson 2 0-0 5, Sheedy 2 0-0
4, Rhymes 1 0-0 3, Fulk 1 0-0 2, Pyle 0 2-2 2, Carls 1 0-2 2. Team
14 2-5 36. 3-point field goals 6 (Wilhour 3, Rhymes, Champley,
Jackson).
Scoring by quarters:
LCHS 23-9-24-10 66
THS 2-9-15-10 36
[By JEFF BENJAMIN]
Railer-related information:
www.railerbasketball.com
Jeff Benjamin's Railer basketball articles |
