Lincoln over Danville 46-37

[November 25, 2021] It’s always a fun night at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium the night before Thanksgiving. The stands are often dotted with Railer alumni in the crowd and those fans who live out of town these days often return home for the festive holiday and continue to cheer for the next generation of Railers making their mark in history.

Wednesday night even marked the return of the LCHS Pep Band and that is always a treat for fans. To top the evening off, the Railers defeated the Danville Vikings 46-37 to earn their second win in the 2021 Lincoln/Eaton Thanksgiving Tournament.

Coach Neil Alexander used the same starting lineup of Elijah Pollice, Tyler Sasse, Payton Cook, Jake Bivin and Aidan Gowin versus Danville, a team who had just scored 83 points against Belleville Althoff in the tournament on Monday night. This young Railer team would have an uphill battle on their hands versus the Vikings. The Railers, who were visitors on the scoreboard, sported their flashy red uniforms on this night. With 6’5 junior Payton Cook jumping center to start things off, the Railers were ready to roll just before 8 p.m.

Lincoln fell behind 3-0 to start the game but three consecutive buckets by Payton Cook put Lincoln on top 6-3. With less than :30 seconds to play in the first quarter, Jake Bivin scored two quick baskets in the paint, the latter off a steal, and Lincoln was on top 10-3 when the quarter ended.

Payton Cook picked up 12 points in the paint versus Danville.

Elijah Pollice extended the lead to 12-3 shortly into the second quarter. Jayvin Miles hit a three for Danville to cut the lead down to 12-6. The Railers went on a 7-0 run next. Jaden Klopp came off the bench to drive baseline for two points. Pollice scored a basket off the steal. Then it was Aidan Gowin bringing the bench to their feet with a long three to make the score 19-6. JaVaughn Robinson hit a three for Danville around the 3:00 mark. Tyler Sasse’s stop ’n pop at the free throw line kept Lincoln out in front, 21-9 now the score. Danville continued living and dying by the three and two more treys before the half allowed the Vikings to stay in the game with Lincoln. The halftime score was 21-15.

The third quarter began with a little give and go from Bivin to Cook, who completed the bucket. Sasse, Bivin and Cook continued to score in the paint for Lincoln in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 32-19. Darren Stevens also contributed off the bench for Lincoln. His two baskets in the paint gave Lincoln a 36-24 lead. Miles would hit another three for Danville with 11.6 seconds on the third quarter clock and as the quarter came to a close Lincoln was on top 36-27.

Tyler Sasse's inside game was strong for the Railers vs. Danville.

Jake Bivin soars past the Vikings Martez Rhodes.

Bivin and Sasse scored early in the fourth quarter to put Lincoln up 40-27. The Railers continued to play the fourth quarter with more confidence and after a couple more baskets by Pollice in the lane, Lincoln was up 44-30. Lincoln’s scoring was complete when Bivin made the Railers final basket of the game on the assist from Cook.
The Vikings made a 5-0 run at the end of the game and that settled the final score at 46-37.

Payton Cook led Lincoln with 12 points. Jake Bivin added 10 points for the Railers.

Lincoln improves to 2-0 in the tournament.

This was a really good win for Lincoln. These Railers played with poise against a really tough Danville team. The game was full of in-your-face defense and it was the Railers really shaking up the Vikings and throwing them off their game. Kudos to Coach Neil Alexander and his coaching staff. They’ve got a young and hungry group with not a lot of Varsity minutes under their jerseys, but they are a hard-working bunch who will play a good, clean game of basketball. With just the second win of the season, they’ve already shown they are going to be a fun group to watch.

So after the turkey and all the fixins’ settle, head on over to Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium on Friday afternoon for some great basketball action.

Here is the Friday tournament schedule:

3:00 p.m. Cahokia vs. Danville
4:45 p.m. Mahomet-Seymour vs. Sacred Heart Griffin
6:30 p.m. Belleville West vs. Champaign Centennial
8:15 p.m. Lincoln vs. Belleville Althoff

Catching up on previous basketball action this week, in the early game on Wednesday night Belleville West defeated Sacred Heart Griffin 70-66.

Backing up to Tuesday night, Belleville West defeated Mahomet-Seymour 67-66 and Champaign Centennial defeated Sacred Heart Griffin 67-56.

Sacred Heart Griffin has suffered two losses in the tournament but the Cyclones are playing without four key players. Those players will be playing for a football state championship this weekend.

Scoring

Lincoln 46

Cook 12
Bivin 10
Pollice 8
Sasse 7
Stevens 4
Gowin 3
Klopp 2

Danville 37

Miles 15
Rhodes 11
Robinson 8
Ireland 3

[Teena Lowery]