When you think of high school basketball, one of the country's premier spots is the inner city of New York's boroughs. And within New York which area is home to our elite..New York City or Brooklyn? The debate and heated rivalry chugs along. This year Lincoln defeated Rice from Harlem, yet the rivalry will surely continue next year with many players returning for the 2008 season.
We were excited to visit the legendary high school basketball program. Lincoln High School, a large public school with approximately 2,800 students, in the heart of Brooklyn has some illustrious alumni, most notable New York Knick Stephon Marbury and his cousin, Sebastian Telfair; and has a long storied basketball history.
So, once again we were in the city as the school played host to our 18th Tour stop and it was typical New York-style. The Pep Rally was held in the school auditorium at 1:30PM on Wednesday, April 25th and was filled with high energy and enthusiasm. One of the more raucous tour stops along the TOC, the Lincoln faithful were loud and boisterous, yet well behaved. While waiting for the National Ranking trophy presentation by MaxPreps and the Army National Guard, Guard officials threw out t-shirts, mini-basketballs, and handed all students premium items as they filed into the auditorium. When all students took their seats, the National Anthem was sung. Lincoln representatives then introduced the Lincoln Cheerleaders who entertained the crowd with some chanting and synchronized dancing.
Afterwards, MaxPreps and The Army National Guard were introduced. The guru of New York High School Sports, Rod Mergardt, then talked about Lincoln's class in winning its State Championship and how out of over 17,000 schools, Lincoln was one of 25 to be honored nationally - a huge accomplishment. Rod honored all the seniors on the team as well as the girl's basketball team for their terrific season. Major Don Fawthrop of the Army National Guard then took the mic and called up each individual player and offered a small gift while each player received a large applause. Then, Major Fawthrop presented Coach Morton the National Ranking trophy for Lincoln's 19th ranking position to an even larger ovation.
Coach Dwayne Morton thanked the Guard and MaxPreps and welcomed the challenge of repeating. Again, with star player and T-Mobile MOP recipient, sophomore Lance Stephenson, back as well as other contributors, we might be heading back over the Verrazano Bridge in 2008!