Written by Mark McCann

W

hen talking about the 2010 Hornets Basketball Team, let’s cut right to the chase… these guys are on a roll! In a breakout season, the Hornets have rattled off 22 straight wins to catapult them to a CIF San Diego Section Championship and a staggering record of 27-2 – with their only two losses coming from teams ranked number 13 and number 20 in the state.

 The question is, how good are they?  In the Southern California regional semi-final game vs. Pasadena Bulldogs on Saturday, March 13, the Hornets answered that question by doing something to their opponent few have seen before in a state tournament game.  In the fourth quarter, Lincoln increased their commanding lead to 40 points, which invoked a mercy rule.  The clock would only stop during timeouts for the remainder of the game.  In the biggest game, the new gym had ever seen with the highest stakes, the Hornets dismantled the Bulldogs, winning every aspect of the game.

Lincoln shot 67% from the field, which set a new season high following two poor shooting nights vs. Hoover and Summit. Led by junior guard Norman Powell who ended the game with 29 points and only missed one shot the entire contest, Lincoln punched their ticket to the So-Cal Regional Finals.  But their offense was merely the sideshow.  Saturday night, the Lincoln defense was the main attraction, and it was relentless.  The commitment to defense by the Hornets showed early and often, as they ended first quarter up 28-8.

This season has been historic. Varsity Boy’s Basketball have a chance to do something that has only been done once in the history of Lincoln basketball, win a state championship.  Lincoln continues its quest for glory vs. Compton this Saturday. If they beat Compton, they will advance to the state finals the following Friday in Bakersfield.

Lincoln Hornets are playing Compton this Saturday, March 20^th at USC’s Galen Center.  Tip off is set for 4pm.  If you are interested in going and need a ride, there are two spirit buses that are leaving from Lincoln that morning.  The first bus will leave at 11:00 and another at 11:30.  The cost of the bus varies depending on which one you board – from $15 to $20, plus the cost of admission, which is $10 with a student I.D.  For more information on the bus, contact Mr. Minor at 619-264-0700.  You must have a permission slip signed by your parents in order to ride the bus.

 As for the question, how good are they?  Only time will tell, but they are playing their best basketball of the season now, and they have the opportunity and the talent to be the best Lincoln team ever.