The Lincoln County High boys’ basketball team is rebuilding this year, and the girls are looking strong. In wrestling, there’s a new coach.
LCHS Athletic Director and head boys Matt Cameron, says Lincoln graduated most of the team last season: Eight seniors that had an incredible year, league and tournament champions, and brought home the first Division III state championship since 2008. Ryan Rippetoe and Chandler Katschke were the backbone of the team and have graduated, along with several other key players.
Cameron, in his third year, says, “We are young after losing those eight seniors. Now we have a young group of juniors and sophomores. Cameron Frehner and Kevin Jacques are the only two returning varsity players. All the others are coming off the JV squad.” Lincoln will be short this year as well, with the tallest man being 6-0. “We’re looking to compete and work hard,” he said.
In the Southern Division, Cameron said The Meadows, Agassi, and Needles will be the main three teams. Calvary Chapel will be in the mix also. “Our league is pretty strong this year, all the way around,” Cameron said.
Speaking on behalf of girls coach Lori Cheeney, Cameron said Lincoln looks pretty good going into the season. The Lady Lynx, (18-12, 12-2) were state runners up to Pershing County last year.
“The majority of the girls are back. Kourtney Gloeckner and Elle Scott were the only girls who graduated. A quartet of talented sophomores, Hannah Hafen, Savannah Harr, Easton Tingey, and Chesnee Harding look to join Jaycee Wadsworth, Taylor Soderborg, Kayla Mathews, Kalie Teel, Caitlyn Wilbur, and others, all of whom look to dethrone Calvary Chapel as league champions.
“Lincoln will be a strong competitive team,” Cameron said, and, “have a good chance this year,” against the likes of Needles and Calvary.
Lincoln boys and girls teams begin the season this weekend, Dec. 5-7, at the Serpent Classic at Mineral County High in Hawthorne.
The Lincoln boys first home game is with Enterprise, Utah Dec. 10. No girls games. First home game for the girls is with Pahranagat Valley Dec. 19.
Chantel Holt, Richard Katschke, and Jon Anderson will be assistant girls varsity coaches. Holt will also handle the girls JV. Henry Frehner will be assistant boys varsity coach and Brian Jackson will be the JV coach.
Steve Culverwell takes over from Mason Stackhouse as the varsity wrestling coach for Lincoln.
Senior twins Danny and Marc Olson lead the team, however both are still recovering from injuries. Danny Olson (120) was third in the state finals last year in Reno. Sophomore Jesse Mathews (113) placed fourth.
The team had a match at Faith Lutheran Dec. 3. Faith won match 57-24, but Lincoln did have winners in Derek Mathews (113), Jesse Mathews (126), Will Culverwell (138), and Jesse McLean (170). Zachary Rowe (106), and Frank Barrett (152) lost their match.
This weekend, Dec. 6-7, Lincoln participates in the White Pine Tournament in Ely.
