Two Lynx Players Pick up Post-Season Honors
Men’s Basketball Players Trayvon Tyler and Justin Parker Receive Mid-West Athletic Conference Honors

[March 17, 2017]   LINCOLN - Two Lincoln College Men’s Basketball players picked up post-season honors this week.

Trayvon Tyler was named the Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) Freshman of the Year and was selected to the MWAC All-Conference first team. Sophomore Justin Parker made the MWAC second team, and both players were placed on the highly selective National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XXIV All-Region Team.

Tyler, a 6’1” guard from Rockford Auburn High School, was among the conference leaders in several categories. He led the MWAC in assists per game (4.2), steals per game (3.4) and his 13.8 points per game average ranked him third in the conference. Lincoln College Coach Pat Lepper feels that, in addition to his athletic skill set, Tyler’s leadership qualities make him a special player.

According to Coach Lepper, “Trayvon does everything well on the basketball court, but he finds another gear when the pressure is on.”

Lepper was impressed with his guard’s ability to motivate his teammates, and describes him as an, “elite competitor who knows how to gain the respect of his teammates.”

Coach Lepper is equally pleased at the recognition that has been given to sophomore small forward Justin Parker. The Indianapolis, Indiana native earned his way on to the MWAC second team by placing among the conference leaders in both offensive and defensive categories.

Parker finished tied for fourth in the MWAC in points per game (13.5) and fourth in field goal percentage (53.7%). He also averaged 7.5 rebounds per game in MWAC play, which placed him third in the league. His 1.5 steals per game were enough for fourth place among all players in the conference.

“Justin is a fantastic all-around player,” said Lepper. “He plays hard on defense; he can handle the ball in the open court, and is an accurate shooter.”

Both Tyler and Parker were key contributors to the Lynx’s 19-14 record, and each came up big during the team’s amazing run at the NJCAA Region XXIV Playoffs, March 9-11 at Rend Lake College in Ina. Lincoln entered the end-of-the-season tournament as the number six seed out of seven teams and pulled off two upset wins on their way to an appearance in the Region Championship game. Lincoln defeated Rend Lake College (#3) on RLC’s home court then avenged two regular season losses by knocking off the number two seed, John Wood Community College, 81-66. Lincoln College would eventually fall to the top seeded Parkland Cobras in a close contest 67-62.

[Mark Tippett]