Lincoln boys' basketball roundup: Zebras take down Panthers, Rhinos edge out win over Bruins

In a battle for second-place in the Foothill Valley League, the Lincoln High boys' basketball team defeated the West Park Panthers 65-52 on Jan. 25. "I think we had a really strong game plan that we wanted to implement and our players did it perfectly," Zebras coach Chris Ahrens said. "We moved the ball really well and when they had great shots, they were falling." The Zebras led 18-10 at the end of the first quarter as Lincoln High senior Beni Njomo hit a free throw with seven seconds remaining. What made the shot so notable is that it was his 1,000th point scored in his varsity career. Njomo has been on the varsity team at Lincoln High since his sophomore season in 2020-21. He was honored for his accomplishment with a graphic prior to the start of the second quarter. "It felt amazing," Njomo said. "Ever since I was a little kid, I've grown up and seen all of these different athletes getting 1,000 points and I always wanted to be a varsity athlete. I'm also doing it for a lot of people that aren't here anymore like my close friend Anthony Williams who wasn't able to get there. It meant a lot to me to hit that mark." Williams was a basketball player at Whitney and Inderkum High schools. He died after being hit by a car while walking last March in Rocklin. Njomo finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals and was one of four Zebra starters who finished in double figures in the game against the Panthers. Leading the way was senior Ethan Nelson who made four three-pointers en route to a 15-point performance. "My good friend Mo (Montel Golatte) tells me when I shoot and he tells me I have to lean forward," Nelson said. "I really got that in my head and that's what I tried to do tonight and it worked out." Golatte is one of two assistant coaches for the Fighting Zebras. The Zebras did a solid job of rebounding in the game as senior Dylan Fear led with 11 rebounds and added 10 points. Nelson grabbed six rebounds in the contest. "It's definitely a challenge because we aren't super big but sometimes I step in as our big man is boxing out a dude like Tallis (Toure)," Nelson said. "Someone has to go grab the board and I feel like that's my job." Toure was the tallest player on the court for both teams at 6'10" and finished with seven points and eight rebounds for the Panthers while also blocking five shots. West Park High had five players out in the game, including junior Andre Anderson and freshman Jaden Jackson. Junior Brooklyn Galaviz led in scoring with 15 points. The Panthers struggled with free throw shooting and were eight for 15 from the stripe. "We just have to put the ball into the hole as it allows us to set our defense and do some different things," Panthers coach John Hunter said. "You counter that with Lincoln who shoots well in this building and they are well-coached. It made for a tough night, especially when we aren't hitting shots." The Zebras went on to defeat Nevada Union High 47-33 last Friday night and are currently second in the Foothill Valley League. They face Placer High on Wednesday night in Auburn, after press time, and will face the Oakmont Vikings on Friday for senior night. The Panthers are also 4-2 in league play and narrowly defeated the Vikings 67-64 last Friday night. They face Nevada Union High away on Wednesday, after press time. "This league is a meat grinder, so there are no easy nights," Hunter said. "You have to be prepared to compete every night and I think we're figuring that out. We're a second-year varsity program but the guys are responding and growing." Rhinos remain second in Pioneer Valley League with win over Bruins Twelve Bridges High stands at 8-1 in the Pioneer Valley League following a 53-48 win over Bear River High last Friday night. The Rhinos have won their last five games by a combined 143 points and have limited their opposition in league to an average of less than 41 points per game. The Rhinos will travel to Marysville High on Friday night with a chance to tie for first in league. Twelve Bridges High lost their first matchup against the Indians 80-67 at home on Jan. 13.