The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Rails almost spoil season
Latest good effort marks turn around for struggling team
By Tom Perkins, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
Lincoln Rails have pulled it together in recent weeks and are playing the basketball of which they are capable, but no one expected they had a chance against a 19-0 Ann Arbor Pioneer team.
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Yet they almost spoiled the Pioneer's perfect season.
Late in the third quarter, the Splitters (3-15) held a five point advantage, but an 8-0 run sparked the Pioneers comeback en route to a 68-55 victory.
"Pioneer is the No. 2 team in the state and I see why," Lincoln head coach Mike Foley said. "Overall, I'm pleased with our effort."
Lincoln's defense disrupted the dangerous Pioneer offense throughout the first half, holding them to only 19 points through the first 16 minutes.
Foley gave credit to sophomore Andrew Dillon for clamping down on Pioneer's Matt Johnson.
"Andrew Dillon did an excellent job of containing Matt Johnson, who is probably their most athletic kid and only scored six points," Foley said.
Lincoln's five-point lead evaporated late in the third quarter after several turnovers and missed lay ups.
"They were able to knock down some shots and pressure us and all of the sudden they had a ten point cushion to work with," Foley said. "By the time we adjusted to their pressure we were too far behind."
Though the Railsplitters shut down Johnson, it was Nate Robertson who then stepped up for the Pioneers, leading all scorers with 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half.
"He was the key," Foley said. "He got their guys going. I take my hat off to him. He did a great job of running their offense and hitting shots and executing on the transition."
Dillon and Nate McMullan led the Railsplitters with 14 points and Dillon grabbed nine rebounds.
Foley was also pleased with the effort of James Sparkman, who contributed six points and had nine rebounds.
"James came off the bench and was all over on the offensive and defensive boards - he really provided a spark for us," Foley said.
Ultimately, the Splitters' efforts fell short on bad mistakes.
"You can't make mistakes, you have execute and make plays against a team as dangerous as Pioneer," Foley said.
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for the View/Courier. He can be reached at trperkins@gmail.com.
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