Lynx varsity teams fall to Darby in Saturday faceoff

It's a New Year and a fresh chance to show those bigger schools that Lincoln teams can put up a good fight and be competitive in the Class C bracket.

The first varsity game of 2022 was an entertaining but losing effort with the boys and girls varsity teams from Darby on Saturday, Jan 8.

The stands were packed with Lincoln folks looking for an evening of comaraderie and fun while rooting for the home teams. Yes, it was another of those nights where the Lincoln Lynx were outnumbered two to one. But our precious athletes, who get up early for 6 a.m. practices and still carve a place on the H.S. honor roll, who honor us all by their sportsmanship and character, these Lincoln student athletes make us proud of our school and our town.

Lady Lynx

In the varsity Lady Lynx contest, our brave six players stood tall against the eleven Darby women.

The contest was physical and aggressive, Lincoln ladies were intense, scrambling for the ball tooth and nail, matching the older visiting squad steal for steal. If the home town gals had a higher shooting percentage, no telling what might have happened. But, as it turned out, Lincoln fell 30 to 49 with too many shots that just didn't fall.

High scorer was Junior Jessica Zarske with ten, followed by equally fierce Freshman Krymzen Dempster with nine. Senior Jenna Templeton fouled out mid-way in the third quarter, a red badge of courage owing to her "playing bigger than I am" on-court presence. Makena Copenhaver, an eighth grader who shows much promise and determined energy, racked up three points; Kylee Copenhaver, her sister, bested her by one point, adding four to the stat book.

Lynx men

The boys' game had a similar outcome, losing to Darby 30 to 65.

But, looking for a ray of sunlight in the loss, there was much to be admired.

First, the team played together with a positive attitude and skill.

Teegan Tybo, one half of the amazing Tybo brothers, took the lead in scoring (8) and steals (4). Roegun Dietz, only an eighth grader playing way over his pay grade, had an amazing three steals, two blocked shots and two points.

Andrew Brown, a reliable shooter who was double-teamed most of the game, poured in four points and two steals; Senior Justin Fry, the resident "wide body" came down with several rebounds and six points.

Wesson Dempster, of the athletic Dempster family, racked up five points to beat his brother, Hayden, who added two. Noah Barnett and Kayden Tybo, future high school varsity players next year, each contributed two points to the total.

Lincoln, these young men and women are the cream of our crop: athletes, scholars and outstanding teenagers. Come on out and support them on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. as they face off against the Victor Pirates. You'll see all your friends, enjoy a hot dog from the concession stand and take in an exciting basketball game to boot. Our Lincoln kids, who are working so hard, deserve no less!