 While there's little love between the Central State Eight
conference's two most decorated basketball programs, when the
Lincoln Railers and Lanphier Lions get together, it's typically a
thing of basketball beauty, precisely because the two programs are
so different.That'll be the case once again on Friday night, when
the Railers host the Lions at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium in the first
meeting between the two rivals this season.
If history is any indicator, the game will be a clash of
basketball philosophies:
Lanphier, brimming with an explosive combination of intensity and
athleticism, will try to outrun the Railers, while Lincoln, with
their trademark shooting touch and gritty execution, will attempt to
force the Lions into a game where every possession counts. Whoever
executes their game plan typically wins.
Lincoln coach Neil Alexander said his team must be prepared to
handle the Lions' aggressive, in-your-face defense and limit their
turnovers.
"That's their game. It'll be our philosophy against theirs, and
the two are at total opposite ends," said Alexander. "They like to
run up and down the floor and use their defense to create offense.
If you turn the ball over, or you don't handle their pressure,
you'll give up a lot of points, and you could even get embarrassed.
They're a team that has that capability.
"They have great quickness, great athletes, and they're playing
really well together right now."
Limiting Larry
The unquestioned leader of the Lions is junior point guard Larry
Austin.
A highly regarded college prospect who has drawn attention of the
likes of Illinois, Missouri, DePaul and others, Austin is one of the
most athletic guards in the state of Illinois.
When Lanphier is at their best, Austin is leading the fast break,
surrounded by junior Marquis Smith and freshman sharpshooter Xavier
Bishop.
[to top of second column] |
The Lions enters the game on a hot streak. After a bit of a slow
start, they won the Pekin Holiday Tournament and enter Friday's game
with a record of 10-5, with a 4-2 mark in conference play. Lincoln
is 12-3 overall, with a 4-1 mark in conference play.
Alexander said Lanphier is playing as well as any team in the
league at the moment.
"They are on a roll. When you win the Pekin Holiday Tournament,
that's a pretty good tournament to win," said Alexander. "They beat
a very, very good Washington team.
"I think our league has a lot of teams that can beat people, but
throughout the season, one team is going to play really well above
all of them. I think right now, Lanphier is that team."
So many games, so little time
Friday's game will begin a stretch of seven games in nine nights
for the Railers, who travel to the Chatham-Glenwood County Market
Classic next week for five games, including contests against
conference heavyweights Jacksonville and Chatham-Glenwood. Lincoln
also plays a home game on Saturday night against Mattoon.
A win against Lanphier would be a nice place to start.
"It would sure help," said Alexander of Friday night's contest.
"We just need to stay focused. That's a good tournament this year.
Taylorville has won 10 games. Highland has 10 wins. Rochester won
their second game last night, and some of their kids are getting
into basketball shape now.
"You've got to be ready for it, but as we've always done, you
take things one game at a time. Right now, at the top of our list is
Lanphier."
[By JUSTIN TIERNEY]
Railer-related information:
www.railerbasketball.com
|
