ABES ARE FIRST-TIME REGIONAL CHAMPS
Lincoln wallops Detroit Prep Art & Design, 74-29
History was made at Osborn High School on Thursday night.
For the first time ever, the Lincoln Abes boys basketball team can call themselves regional champions. They played in their first regional title game in 20 years on Thursday, clobbering Detroit University Prep Art & Design 74-29.
“I’m overjoyed man,” said Lincoln head coach Wydell Henry while holding the school’s newest trophy. “The hard work over the years they put in, the work we’ve been doing, to finally get over that hump, it’s a beautiful feeling.”
The game started close but didn’t stay that way for long. UPAD nailed three 3-pointers in the first quarter which allowed the Mustangs to stay close to Lincoln initially, but the open looks stopped coming and so did the points.
By the end of the first quarter, Lincoln led 20-11. But there was some potential trouble — starters Kimari Barden and Da’Marion Bozeman were each whistled for two fouls, forcing them to sit for most of the first half.
It ended up being a non-issue. Junior guard Markus Blackwell erupted for 13 points in the second quarter, and by the time Barden and Bozeman got back on the floor, the Abes led 40-15.
Lincoln out-scored the Mustangs 20-4 in the second quarter, 23-13 in the third and 11-1 in the fourth. Jamari Collier and Bozeman each threw down second half dunks that sent the crowd — already in high spirits thanks to the score — in a frenzy.
“We came out and we said we were going to give them 32 minutes of hell,” Henry said. “And that’s just our motto right now. We’re going to go out and see what’s going on. I feel we’ve got one of the better teams in the state, and we’re just going to challenge people and that’s what we’re doing. And it worked out for us.”
Blackwell’s scoring didn’t end in the second quarter. He made a trio of 3-pointers in the third quarter and finished with 28 points — one shy of UPAD’s total.
“Markus Blackwell played his butt off,” Henry said. “I don’t know what he finished with, but he played his butt off today. I’ve been telling him he’s a big time player, go be big time. And today he was big time.”
Blackwell was complimentary of his team and atmosphere, adding that he was not going to let the Abes lose on Thursday.
“It’s just something special to be a part of,” Blackwell said. “I’m just happy for the team. I’m happy for the program. Thanks to all the fans and support from everybody.
“It’s a statement win. And I