Lady Railers blow out Vikings 71-27 in Regionals

[February 15, 2022] The postseason is here for girls basketball! The Lady Railers opened their regional play on Monday night in Champaign versus Danville and it was Lincoln quickly demolishing the Vikings, with the final score settled at a whopping 71-27. 

Becca Heitzig got the offense rolling in the first quarter with her drive in the lane and straight off the glass bank shot. Heitzig was on a mission Monday night, and if it was a steal or an assist, she was heavily involved and the Vikings did not know how to handle her. Heitzig’s steal and dish off to Kloe Froebe created a 5-0 lead. After another Heitzig steal, the sophomore took it to the hoop for a 7-2 lead. Froebe made the score 9-2 with her layup off the inbounds pass from Jenna Bowman. Next thing you know, it’s Heitzig pulling down a rebound after a few Lincoln misses, and she goes up strong for the 11-2 lead. After a three by Froebe the score was 14-2 with 1:49 left and in the Vikings defense, they simply could not buy a basket. Meanwhile with Taryn Stoltzenburg and Tori Geriets each entering the scoring column, the Lady Railers held a commanding 19-4 lead after the first eight minutes of the game. 

The second quarter offense was started by Bowman, who would finish the quarter with 11 points. Bowman rattled off the first seven straight points for Lincoln in the second quarter, extending the Lincoln lead to 26-7. After a three from Ryen Stoltzenburg midway through the quarter, the Lady Railers lead was 31-11. Lincoln actually put together a 16-0 run and when that was all over, the Vikings hung their heads at a 44-11 score on the scoreboard. Froebe would end the quarter with nine points scored and the Lady Railers had a dominant 48-14 halftime lead. 

The massacre continued into the third quarter, although the Lady Railers really took it easy on the Vikings. At one point the lead was 58-20 and it was clear a running clock was in the future. Geriets made the final shot of the third quarter, on an assist from Heitzig, and Lincoln’s lead was 62-25. 

Piper Whiteman entered the scoring column for Lincoln in the fourth quarter. Ten seconds into the action, she rattled the rim for two points. With the clock ticking down, Whiteman would hit a three at the 5:25 mark and Lincoln’s lead was 67-25. Back-to-back buckets by Taryn Stoltzenburg extended the lead to 71-25 and there was still 4:05 remaining in the game. The Vikings tossed in one more basket at the end of the game to end their misery with a 71-27 score. 

In Kloe Froebe’s return to the court, she led Lincoln with 22 points. Jenna Bowman tossed in 11 points. Becca Heitzig and Taryn Stoltzenburg each scored 10 points. 

Lincoln improved to 22-8 on the season. 

The Lady Railers advance to the regional championship versus Champaign Centennial. That game is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 7 p.m. at Champaign Central High School. 

Stay tuned for any changes due to weather. 

Lincoln 71

Froebe 22

Bowman 11

Heitzig 10

T. Stoltzenburg 10

Geriets 7

Whiteman 5

R. Stoltzenburg 4

Robbins 2

Danville 27

Conway 14

Gouard 11

McFarland 2

[Teena Lowery]