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By Casey Roberts

Contributing Writer

 

Coming off an All-A Tournament Championship, the Danville Christian Academy Warriors carried their momentum into Lincoln County on Jan. 28, defeating the Patriots 48-35 in a hard-fought district matchup.

Despite the final score, Lincoln County put together a strong defensive effort and had opportunities late to challenge the Warriors. The Patriots’ full-court pressure and second-half adjustments kept the game within reach, but DCA capitalized on key possessions down the stretch to secure the victory.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but Lincoln County responded quickly as Lane Sergent got the Patriots on the board with a jumper to make it 4-2. The first quarter saw both teams settle into their offense, with Sawyer Robbins slicing through the defense for a strong layup to bring Lincoln within one at 9-8.

With one minute remaining in the first quarter, Cash Baird knocked down a three-pointer, giving the Patriots their first lead of the night at 11-9. DCA managed to sink one free throw before the buzzer, but Lincoln held an 11-10 advantage after the opening period.

DCA opened the second quarter with a surge, forcing multiple Lincoln County turnovers and going on a 9-0 run before Robbins electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk, halting the run and making the score 19-13 with three minutes left in the half.

Robbins followed up with a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 19-16, but DCA closed the half on a 5-1 run, sending the Patriots into halftime trailing 24-17.

The Warriors extended their lead early in the second half, converting a three-point play to push the score to 27-17. Lincoln County quickly responded as Baird knocked down a jumper and Braden Fugate added his first basket of the night, trimming the lead to 27-21.

Midway through the third quarter, Sergent buried a clutch three-pointer, bringing the Patriots within 29-24. Lincoln County turned up the defensive intensity with its full-court press, closing the gap to just 30-28. However, DCA countered with a 7-0 run to close the quarter, heading into the final period with a 37-28 lead.

The fourth quarter turned into a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find consistent offense. Lincoln clawed back within four points, 37-33, after another strong finish from Robbins.

With time winding down, the Patriots had opportunities to tie or take the lead, but failed to convert in key moments. DCA capitalized at the free-throw line, stretching their lead late and securing the 48-35 win.

The Patriots will look to bounce back when they travel to take on Boyle County on Jan. 31.

Lady Patriots show grit in hard-fought loss to DCA

The Lincoln County Lady Patriots put up a valiant fight in a battle for first place in the 45th District but fell short against Danville Christian Academy, 60-43, on Jan 28. Despite the final score, the Lady Pats showed resilience and determination, pushing DCA throughout the contest.

Coming off back-to-back district wins over Garrard County and Boyle County, Lincoln County entered the game with momentum. They wasted no time getting on the board, as Rylee Townes knocked down a jumper to give the Lady Patriots the early lead. After a quick response from DCA, Alexia Baldock countered with two smooth jumpers, regaining the lead for Lincoln County at 6-4.

As the first quarter unfolded, Alyssa Burkhart caught fire from beyond the arc, drilling back-to-back three-pointers to put the Lady Patriots ahead 12-6. However, DCA capitalized on offensive rebounds and forced turnovers to claw their way back, eventually taking a 15-12 lead with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. Lincoln County kept fighting, and Burkhart found Townes for a transition layup to keep the game within striking distance, trailing 17-14 after one.

DCA opened the second quarter with an inside basket, extending the lead to five, but Townes quickly responded with a strong drive to make it 19-16. The Lady Warriors leaned on their size advantage to control the paint, sparking a 6-0 run that pushed their lead to 25-16 midway through the quarter. Lincoln County’s defense tightened up late in the half, forcing key stops that led to quick scores, trimming the deficit to 25-20 with under a minute to play. DCA managed to split a pair of free throws just before halftime, taking a 26-20 lead into the break.

The Lady Patriots came out of halftime looking to shift momentum, but DCA struck first, scoring inside on consecutive possessions to stretch the lead to 30-20. Burkhart got Lincoln County on the board with a mid-range jumper, but DCA continued to crash the boards, using second-chance opportunities to build their advantage. The Lady Patriots showed their grit, as Burkhart attacked the rim for a tough finish, cutting the lead to 33-24.

In the closing seconds of the third quarter, Burkhart provided a spark with a three-pointer, but DCA answered at the buzzer to maintain a 41-28 lead heading into the final frame.

Facing a double-digit deficit, Lincoln County refused to back down. Townes ignited a late push, scoring four straight points to trim the deficit to 46-32 with five minutes remaining. The Lady Patriots continued to battle, but DCA controlled the boards down the stretch, converting second-chance points to maintain their lead until the final buzzer.

Despite the loss, Lincoln County showcased its ability to compete with the district’s best. Burkhart led the way with 15 points, followed by Baldock with 11 and Townes with 9. The Lady Patriots will look to bounce back when they travel to face Boyle County on Jan. 31.