2024 Bulldogs Playoff Basketball Run Summary
Lincoln Boys had a spectacular playoff run during these last couple of weeks, ultimately falling one game before reaching the state tournament. They finished with a 4-2 record during this playoff run. Overall, the Bulldogs finished the season with a 16-13 record.
Lincoln started off this playoff run with a tightly contested W over a feisty Rejoice Christian team. Lincoln ended up winning the contest 45-43.
Lincoln continued its run against a talented #20 ranked Alva Goldbugs. Alva was a 20 win team and had been ranked all season. They were coming off a District Championship against Chsholm. Both Alva and Lincoln struggled in the 1st half scoring the basketball, as both teams combined to score 30 total points. Lincoln came out firing in the 3rd quarter with Derek Stokes and Grayson Swafford scoring 6 & 5 in the quarter. Lincoln held on to a 27-26 lead going into the 4th. Lincoln maintained its lead and held on to a 42-36 win against the lengthy Goldbugs. Lincoln's defense caused fits all night for the Goldbugs and held them to one of their lowest outputs of points all year. Derek Stokes & Grayson Swafford led the Bulldogs in scoring, each finishing with 13 & 15. Grayson Swafford also finished with 11 rebounds for a double double!
Lincoln's next game was against a familiar foe they see all year. Victory Christian came into the Regional Championship game ranked as the #2 team in 3A. Victory definitely played like they were the #2 team all night. The Bulldogs struggled all night to score against Victory's stifling defense. Victory came away with a dominant win to secure the Regional Championship at Perry. Victory won 59-26. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Derek Stokes who finished the game with 9 points.
Lincoln bounced back against Spiro in the Area Consolation bracket. Spiro came into the contest with an overall 16-10 record. Both teams struggled offensively in the 1st half with Lincoln holding on to a 19-12 lead going into the break. The Bulldogs, all playoffs, were a 2nd half team and they showed that against Spiro. Lincoln scored more in the 3rd itself than the entire 1st half. Lincoln held on to a 40-19 lead going into the 4th quarter. Lincoln continued its dominance and selfless basketball and went on to win 63-37 final. The Bulldogs had 4 players who scored in the double figures. These players were Derek Stokes (19), Izzy Campebell (14), Cannon Williams and Grayson Swafford (10 a piece). Derek Stokes also flirted with a Triple Double finishing two rebounds short of it.
Lincoln had a quick turnaround the following day against a Top 10 ranked 3A opponent. The #7 ranked Roland Rangers defeated the Alva Goldbugs the previous day to create this matchup with Lincoln. This game was a highly contested game from start to finish. This game also included the winner moving on to the Area Consolation Championship game that next day.
Lincoln and Roland battled all the 1st half Lincoln holding on to a 3 point lead (21-18). Lincoln extended its lead to 4 going into the 4th quarter (34-30). Roland and Lincoln battled and it was a one possession game until Rain Ragland came away with a loose ball that led to an easy layup for him. That was the sealing bucket to extend Lincoln's lead. Lincoln struggled against Roland's athleticism in the 1st half but overcame that with a strong 2nd half performance that helped them move on to the Area Consolation Championship matchup with the #2 Ranked Victory Christian Conquerors.
The Bulldogs & Conquerors were playing for the 4th time this season in an epic matchup with a state opportunity on the line. Victory had dominated the season series so far with a 3-0 record against the Bulldogs. Two of those wins were in blowout fashion. Lincoln came out firing and playing solid defense against the bigger and more physical Victory team. They held onto a 2 point lead after one. Victory, known for their great 2nd quarters, put on an offensive and defensive display. They scored 19 points and held the Bulldogs to only 5 2nd quarter points. This one looked to be out of reach going into the 2nd half (30-18). Lincoln, being a 2nd half team in the playoffs, gave Victory everything they had. Still trailing by 8 (32-40), into the 4th, Lincoln battled back with some timely 3's and a big charge taken by Rain Ragland and cut the deficit to 2 (48-50) with under 2 minutes remaining. Lincoln had several chances to create a turnover but Victory being a senior led team maintained its composure and ultimately hit key FT's in the end to seal their 48-54 win over the Bulldogs.
Lincoln basketball took some giant steps as a program this season with only being 1 win away from a State Tournament berth. We want to thank everyone involved this year for making this season one to remember. We're excited for the future of LC basketball and the support to come.
