Balanced scoring leads Mahomet-Seymour over No. 11 Lincoln
By FRED KRONER
Mahomet-Seymour boys’ basketball
Sophomore Blake Wolters came off the bench on Friday (Feb. 19) to score a team-high 14 points and help Mahomet-Seymour to a 60-55 boys’ basketball upset at 11th-ranked (Class 3A) Lincoln.
Wolters netted 4 of 5 three-point shots that he attempted.
Zach Carr and Eli Warren each added 11 points for M-S. Luke Koller posted the team’s second double-double of the season, putting together a 10-point, 11-rebound performance.
Koller had a team-high five assists, one more than Warren. Zach Travis scored eight points.
Lincoln led, 19-13, after one quarter, but the Bulldogs had pulled into a 25-25 deadlock at halftime.
“Our effort was key in securing a huge victory for our program,” M-S coach Ryan Bosch said. “After suffering a tough defeat on our home-opener on Wednesday (to 10th-ranked Effingham), to follow it up on the road at No. 11 Lincoln, with a single day of practice after all of our time away, and walk out with a win speaks to the kids’ resolve.
“They were selfless and made the right plays.”
Travis played the role of defensive stopper and Bosch said, “played a key defensive role slowing down Landon Hullinger (who has a 20-point scoring average) and holding him to six points.”
Wolters was an efficient 5-for-7 from the floor and Bosch said, “continues to grow in his role on the varsity, and has shown a lot of promise.
“I’m really looking forward to watching where his development can take him after this promising start.”
Koller scored in double figures for the second game in a row and reached a season-high for rebounds.
Bosch said Koller is progressing and “playing more like we expected at the start of the season. He played so well in the middle of Lincoln’s zone that it changed the entire complex of the game.”
Three other seniors, besides Travis, played prominent roles in the road win.
“Maybe as key as any were Braden Finch, Zach Carr and Eli Warren each making the little plays throughout the game,” Bosch said. “Each of them had huge loose balls, steals and defensive possessions for us down the stretch.
“I’m so happy for the team.”
On Saturday (Feb. 20), the Bulldogs completed a weekend sweep by turning back Rantoul at home, 52-32.
M-S led, 40-30 after three quarters and limited the Eagles to two fourth-quarter points.
Koller and Travis each knocked down 13 points. Quinton McCullough contributed seven points.
Koller (eight), Finch (six) and McCullough (five) were the rebounding leaders. Carr handed out seven assists and Finch had four.
“We had a great defensive night,” Bosch said, “exemplified by only allowing two points in the fourth quarter.
“Our offense was impacted a bit by our effort at Lincoln. The kids were trying hard and did some nice things, but we missed a lot of open shots that we earned in the half-court.”
The Bulldogs were 0-for-11 from three-point range.
“I look forward to getting back in the gym and allowing us to get back to work on getting ourselves in mid-season shape for the final three weeks of the season.”
M-S (4-2) returns to action on Wednesday (Feb 24) at home against Taylorville in a makeup from a game originally scheduled for Feb. 12.
