Building for the future
The Lincoln Prep Lady Panthers’ season came to an end in a 67-56 loss to Sacred Heart on Monday. Photo by Tony Valentino
Lincoln Prep head coach Fred Hearn knows he’s got a firm foundation to build on for the future.
The No. 20 seeded Lady Panthers’ season may have ended in a 6756 loss at No. 4 Sacred Heart of Ville Platte on Monday in the second round of the Division IV Select playoffs, but Hearn believes this season’s heartbreak ending wasn’t for nothing. Lincoln Prep girls basketball has a path forward.
“Hate to see those three seniors ( Asijah Wright, Heather Willis, and Shedreana Green) go but they left a lot for us to build on in the future and now we’re starting to take the climb upward,” Hearn said.
It was hard to see that climb in the early stages of this season after the team started 0-7. Hearn knew it would have been easy to fold after a 3-22 campaign in 2022-23 and accept the losses were going to keep mounting this winter.
But Hearn said his senior class, and team overall, refused to go out quietly again. Prep strung together a competitive record in district and made the Division IV playoffs as a top 20 seed. And not only did the team make the postseason, but it won its first playoff game in three years over Catholic- Pointe Coupee.
Prep more than tripled its win total from last season with 10 wins this winter, giving Hearn confidence in his returners to know what it takes to win come next season.
“It speaks about the character of the girls and culture and climate we’re trying to build not only in with girl’s basketball but our school,” Hearn said. “We want to continue to fight and continue to build good character and be coachable. And that senior class can leave that legacy of being culture starters.”
Prep had its chances against Sacred Heart but could never take the lead due to free throws and untimely turnovers, according to Hearn.
Lincoln Prep trailed 15-12 after the first despite 4 points each from Wright and Jayleen Spann but couldn’t cut it closer as Sacred Heart extended its lead to 37-24 at halftime as Syniah Spann scored 7 points and Green with 6.
Lincoln Prep cut it to within three in the third, outscoring Sacred Heart 17-9 in the frame with Syniah Spann hitting two threes and Jayleen Spann hitting a three as well.
Syniah Spann hit five threes, including two in the third and two in the fourth, for 19 points to lead Prep. Jayleen Spann scored 13 points, while seniors Wright and Green each had 10 points.
Sacred Heart kept its lead in the fourth with an 8-of-12 showing at the free-throw line in the fourth after 12 total free throws through the previous three quarters.
“We made our run to cut it to within three, but we had some mistakes at the end and they made their free throws,” Hearn said. “We fouled intentionally a bit at the end to try and stop the clock and get back in it but credit them, they made them. But I’m proud of our effort and how we fought till the end. That’s been our mantra all season.”
