mckinney usdhs v. lincoln

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Pat McKinney: University of San
Diego High v. Lincoln--(January 13, 1998)

As you know, we've been working with Pat McKinney, who maintains the great University of San Diego High School Basketball site, and he's been gracious enough to permit us to reprint some of the fine articles and news of San Diego Hoops which you'll find over at his site. Since we also just presented Chuck Hicks' report of the Uni game against Lincoln, we thought it only fair to give equal time and coverage to Pat's excellent take on the game too. So, not including the stats, which you can find over at his site (which we heartily recommend you visit often), here's Pat's article from the USDHS site on last Friday's Lincoln v. Uni game. We think you'll appreciate the insights and observations that Pat offers, and the sort of historical perspective he's got on this fine young team, even if it is from a decidedly "Uni" point of view. But then what else would you expect from the University of San Diego High School Dons Basketball website?

USDHS 61, Lincoln 52

"The University of San Diego High School Dons prepared for their first game in San Diego this season against Lincoln without knowing whether David Abramowitz would be available. Abramowitz did play, but he was nowhere near full strength, despite leading the Dons with 16 points and six assists in 22 minutes. His back was clearly bothering him and he played courageously despite having trouble getting back on D. His press breaking abilities were one of several things that carried the team to a 61-52 victory tonight.

"Lincoln employs a tight pressing defense which they use after every made basket. More than that, the Hornets maintain an attitude and play a nasty style of basketball which carries into their fans. In short, there is a wide separation between Lincoln and sportsmanship. Example one: With 1:29 to go in the first half and Lincoln at the line, Luke Walton is viciously undercut, reaggravating his ankle injury. He would not return after blocking 3 shots and scoring 4 in 14 minutes.

"Fortunately, Uni came out on fire tonight, shooting 69% to Lincoln's 42% in the first and rushing out to a 21-12 lead behind Ronnie McMillan's 8 points (he finished with 13). The Dons continued their hot shooting, finishing at 70% for the half to Lincoln's 39 and leading 37-25.

"The second half, however, was delayed for about 20 minutes as Lincoln coach Charlie Paulk decided to put on a show of his own. He complained about the length of the nets and/or that they were torn and insisted that both nets be changed. This ploy, naturally, did not work, although Lincoln did play better in the second half.

"Without Luke in the lineup, the Dons struggled for points but did a great job of spreading it around. Uni only managed 25 points in the second half and 40 shots for the game, although they did sink 63% of their shots. Conor Hulburt came up big with 14 points on 5 of 5 floor shooting and 4 of 4 from the line to go with 6 boards. Chris Walton scored 12 to give the Dons four players in double figures to go with his 5 blocks. Kam Walton pulled down 9 rebounds and Uni used its defense to hold off Lincoln. Lincoln would cut it to 8 at 52-44 with 7:03 remaining but would never get closer as the Dons used the closest thing to a stall possible in this shot-clock era.

"The final bizarre episode occurred with 32 seconds in the game and the outcome decided. Carlos Cong stole and drove to the basket and was fouled by Anthony Watts. The ball bounced to a Lincoln fan who hurled the ball at Carlos and hit him. Carlos started walking towards this "fan" when John Allen intervened, underestimating the 5'5" Cong's strength. Cong knocked him to the ground, people rushed the floor, and security finally intervened. No action was taken, however, and it appeared the referees simply wanted to get out of there.

"Thus follows another in a long line of brutal match-ups between USDHS and Lincoln (anyone remember last year's 6 technical, double ejection matchup at Uni last year?). Fortunately, Lincoln does not possess great shooting ability (37% FG, 11% 3FG, 35% from the line). If only we could stay healthy when we play them. "