H.S. HOOPS: Lincoln 92 – Ft. Hamilton 53
Nick Leon approached yesterday’s game differently than he had any other at Lincoln. For the first time, the junior took the court without Sebastian Telfair.
“It’s definitely different,” said Leon, a junior. “This is a new time, a new era. Sebastian was great, but now it’s time for us to do our own thing.”
And yesterday was the Railsplitters’ first chance to show that they are still among the city’s elite. They did so, knocking off host Fort Hamilton, 92-53, in the season opener for both teams.
Lincoln enters this season trying to do what no other PSAL team has ever accomplished, win a fourth consecutive title, but with a vastly changed roster.
In addition to Telfair, now playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, Lincoln also lost Antonio Pena to a Connecticut prep school and Eugene Lawrence to St. John’s.
Perhaps Lincoln’s most well-known newcomer is point guard Kevin White Jr. He didn’t play yesterday as he waits to see when he becomes eligible after transferring out of Grady prior to this year and August Martin in September. His entry to Lincoln was investigated by the Department of Education before he was allowed into the school.
Lincoln head coach Dwayne Morton hopes to have the senior on court in time for Sunday’s game against Rice, the ‘Splitters first real challenge of the young season.
“Today we were sloppy and didn’t play well,” Morton said. “We were just bigger and stronger than they were, but that won’t be enough against everybody.”
Lincoln also was missing returning guard Jamel Jackson, who also could return by Friday, as well as Nyan Boateng.
The 6-3 Boateng is still recovering from a broken foot suffered during football camp in August. Boateng is a blue-chip football prospect, but also a Division I-caliber basketball player.
“Once we get everybody back, I think we’re going to be really good,” said Leon, who scored a team-high 21 points. “Everybody has a different role now and we know what to do.”
Khalif Staten, a 6-3 freshman, had 18 points but was bothered by leg cramps. He came to Lincoln to follow in Telfair’s footsteps.
“I’ve always wanted to come to Lincoln,” Staten said. “I’ve seen the players this place produces, like Sebastian and Eugene, and I want to be like that. Even though Sebastian is gone, I think we can still keep it going.”
