Living up to the hype: Lincoln and Chatham Glenwood rematch ends in 66-56 overtime loss for Lady Railers

 

[January 13, 2025]  There was a lot of hype around Saturday afternoon’s rematch between the Lincoln Lady Railers and the Chatham Glenwood Titans. The two teams last met in March at the 2024 Class 3A State Finals in Normal, Illinois. Of course, Lincoln breezed to the 60-44 win over the Titans on that particular Saturday evening to bring home the state championship.

The buzz surrounding the 2025 rematch was heightened because of the return of senior Piper Whiteman to Neil Alexander Court.

A large crowd ventured out on a chilly and snow-covered afternoon to cheer on the team and with the LCHS Pep Band bringing an extra boost of energy, the fans were treated to a thrilling basketball game.

At the end of regulation the game was tied 54-54, with Mia Clark hitting a three with just under ten seconds left to knot the score. The Titans ran away with it in overtime, outscoring Lincoln 12-2. The Titans were definitely elated with the 66-56 win.

First quarter

Ava Bobb put the visitors on the board first with a three to open the game. Lincoln’s dynamic duo of Makinley Knapp and Mia Clark each scored to allow the Lady Railers a 4-3 lead. Lily Holmes dropped in a couple free throws to extend Lincoln’s lead to 6-4. With Bobb leading the Titans offense early, she steered her team to a 7-6 lead. Marty Martynowski added a basket to give the Titans a 9-6 lead as the first quarter came to a close.

Second quarter

Lincoln got down 12-6 in the second quarter before Knapp and Whiteman ignited the team with buckets in the lane. After a terrific assist by Mesa McCloud to Knapp for the basket, the Lady Railers had climbed in front 15-14. It didn’t take long for the feisty Titans to take the lead on a three by Layne Matthew, but after a quick steal led to a basket by Clark, the game was tied 17-17. As the two minute mark drew near, Clark exploded towards the lane for another two points and put Lincoln on top 19-17. The score was an even 20-20 when Whiteman sank two free throws to hoist the lead back in Lincoln’s favor. Makaela Diamond had other plans when she launched a three to give the Titans a 23-22 advantage at the half.

Third quarter

As if they didn’t already do so, these two teams are going to give the fans their money’s worth in the second half. The lead is going to change ten times before a tie of 37-37 is reached. To end the quarter, Holmes will put Lincoln on top 39-37 from the free throw line. Knapp played like she was on a mission in the third quarter, banging with bodies in the lane and pouring in ten points. Knapp fought hard for every rebound and every point. Mesa McCloud also hit a corner three near the 4:25 mark to keep the fans in a frenzy. Holmes’ 4-for-4 performance from the free throw was clutch and kept Lincoln in front heading into the final quarter.

Fourth quarter

Lincoln stayed on top of the Titans to start the fourth quarter. A trio of free throws and then another monster three by McCloud put the Lady Railers up 45-41. After a few questionable calls, the Titans tied the game 45-45. As the two minute mark was reached, Diamond connected for a three and the Titans were elated at the 48-45 lead. Seconds later the Titans had the opportunity to extend the lead to 50-45 but Lincoln was nowhere near the panic button. Clark took matters into her own hands and scored on the drive and got the foul. She completed the ‘and one’ and Lincoln was chipping away at the Titans lead. The Titans stretched the lead to 52-48 with Law scoring in the lane and still Lincoln was not rattled.

With thirty-five seconds left McCloud missed a corner three but Knapp grabbed the rebound and kicked it out to Holmes, who stepped back to hit a three in front of the Lady Railers bench. The gym exploded with the score now 52-51. But hang on. There is more action.

Following a timeout, Knapp would foul out of the game for Lincoln. The senior got all five of her fouls in the fourth quarter and the last one was merely a matter of going for a steal and falling on Bobb. Knapp was off-balance and couldn’t help it but it was a foul nonetheless. Lincoln was called for a LOT of fouls in the game and with the Titans getting a few trips to the free throw line in the remaining seconds, they took a 54-51 lead.

Lincoln would bring the ball up the court one more time with less than twenty seconds remaining in regulation. The Titans nearly took the ball away from Holmes near the free throw line but the junior managed to get the ball to Clark, who nailed her first three of the game coincidentally on her 17th birthday!

This time the gym really exploded, as the Lady Railers tied the Titans 54-54. In the final seconds the Titans were unable to get the ball up the court, let alone get a shot off, and the two teams would have to settle this one in overtime.

Overtime

The Titans got a three-pointer from Rowann Law ten seconds into overtime to take a 57-54 lead. Lincoln would trim that lead to 57-56 after Grace Schneider made two free throws around the 3:20 mark. However, that would be the end of the scoring for the Lady Railers. A costly turnover by Lincoln led to more scoring by Chatham Glenwood. Then Holmes fouled out with 1:40 left to play. Next it was Ceana Adams crashing into the wall, hitting her elbow hard. She’s a little black and blue from that incident but she’s tough as nails and will be just fine. From there on out the Lady Railers just couldn’t get a shot to fall.

The Titans celebrated the 66-56 win moments later.

Lincoln was led in scoring by Makinley Knapp with 17 points. Mia Clark and Lily Holmes each hit double-figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Lincoln falls to 8-9 on the season.

The Lady Railers committed 28 fouls in the game.

At the free throw line Lincoln shot 18-for-21.

The Titans were called for 14 fouls.

At the line Chatham Glenwood made 20-of-33 free throws.

Chatham Glenwood, who placed five players in double-figures, improves to 10-6 on the season.

Lincoln has some time off this week before returning to the court at Roy S. Anderson on Saturday against Springfield Lanphier.

The JV game will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. The Varsity game is set for 2:30 p.m.

Varsity scoring
Lincoln 56
Knapp 17
Clark 12
Holmes 11
McCloud 7
Whiteman 6
Schneider 3

Chatham Glenwood 66
Martynowski 15
Law 14
Diamond 11
Bobb 11
Gilmore 10
Matthew 3
Lehnen 2

JV scoring
Lincoln 24
Grey 10
Chen 8
Hutchison 2
Eskra 2
Hinton 2

Chatham Glenwood 42
Gurnsey 19
Olson 8
Hanken 6
Bolletta 5
Reincke 2
Gummerman 2

[Teena Lowery]