The Eagles soared over the Lions 61-34 Friday night in Lincoln Academy’s KVAC home opener. Lincoln Academy rattled off the first eight points of the game, including three straight hoops from Dylan Leavitt.
The Eagles led 14-2, before going deep to their bench. Belfast went on a 14-2 run over two periods to tie the game early in the 2nd period. Lincoln led 29-26 at the half, before shutting Belfast down in the 2nd half. The Eagles held a 23-4 edge in the third quarter to put the game away early, 52-30 at the end of three. Dylan Leavitt, Jalen Lincoln and Nic Phinney scored six points each in the frame, and Bo McLain four.
Lincoln held a 43-24 advantage in rebounding, led by the Leavitt twins with eight each.
Scoring for Lincoln were Dylan Leavitt 16 (8R,2S), Jalen Lincoln 11 (7A,6R,2-3’s), Nic Phinney 10 (2R,2S), Ryley Leavitt 7 (8R,3S,2A), Bo McLain 4 (3R,1S), Caleb Farrin 4 (4R), Tom Masters 2, Seward Matel 2, Merrit Wotton 2 (2R,2B,2A), AJ Oliver 2 (4R,1S), and Johnathan Riley 1. Scoring for Belfast were Jamie Jackson 10 (6R), Emerson Dellamatera 9 (5R,3B), Tyler Prescott 8, Scott Kulikowksi 3, Stephen Paul 2 and Ryan Rice 2.
The Eagles trailed by as many as 15 in the 1st half, before rallying to pull within three at the break. Lincoln forced five turnovers early in the 2nd half.
“We had the opportunity to take the lead and got nothing out of it,” coach Chris McKenney commented. Lincoln made only 12 of 29 free throws in the loss.
Scoring for Lincoln were Ryley Leavitt with a career high 30 points (11R), Jalen Lincoln 8 (6R,4S,7A), Dylan Leavitt 7 (5R) and Bo McLain 3. Scoring for Oceanside were Wallace 17, Stone-Patterson 14, Davenport 8 and Gillson 7.