Lincoln basketball looks toward new season

By Tom Perkins
Nov. 23, 2009    ·    2:33 a.m.

Lincoln head coach Mike Foley believes the Railsplitter basketball team that made an unexpected, deep run into the postseason last spring has changed the expectations of a program that has always stood in the shadows of area powerhouses.

In short, his team is now one of those powerhouses.

In his six years as Lincoln’s head coach, the program has turned around, winning league titles, a district championship and moving into the regionals last year.

“We’re going to build from what we started last year,” Foley said. “Last year’s team set a precedent. That kind of success is expected now at our program.”

Lincoln will have to prove it’s for real without three key players from last season who are now playing at the college level.

The biggest loss is Ryan Walton, who could single handedly take control of a game almost at will.

“You definitely can’t replace a kid like Ryan Walton,” Foley said. “He was an incredible athlete and an incredible leader.”

But several starters and offensive threats are returning, and their performances will be crucial to continued Splitter success.

Foremost among them is Andrew Dillon. The senior was injured during the first half of last season, but Lincoln went 8-2 after his return.

“Other teams are going to have to account for Andrew Dillon,” Foley said.

Foley is happy to see Latwan Wesley, the 6-foot, 4-inch combo guard who made several crucial plays to keep Lincoln alive in the playoffs, has improved his shot over the summer.

“We’re most definitely counting on him being there for us offensively,” Foley said.

Nate Smith, a 6-foot, 4-inch transfer from Ann Arbor Huron, brings a game and presence similar to that of Wesley.

“We’re pleased to have him here,” Foley said. “He brings another big body to the line up and will be an offensive threat.”

DeShawn Clifton, a 6-foot, 1-inch point guard who, like Dillon, only played toward the end of last season, will run the Splitter’s offense from the point guard position.

“He’s got a point guard mentality that I really like – he’s always thinking attack,” Foley said.

KeAndre Taylor will round out a starting five in which Foley is starting to feel confident.

“I’m very pleased with their progress,” Foley said. “Offensively, we’re very sound.”

Lincoln’s season starts Dec. 6 with a game at Ecorse, but a look down the road reveals that Lincoln will get their chance to prove that they are now among the area’s premier programs.

The usual battles with Huron and Pioneer will serve as immediate tests, and a match up with Ypsilanti, which joins the Southeastern Conference this season, will be one of their bigger games.

“We have a tough schedule, but we can play with any of these teams,” Foley said.