Lions shut down Tyre, Tigers

Nhire Adams, Lincoln

Lincoln's Nhire Adams (left) drives past Princess Larcohe for two of her 18 points.

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By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

JERSEY CITY – It was a task which on the surface seemed easier said than done – stopping Snyder’s Tamara Tyre. The electrifying junior entered yesterday’s showdown with a 24 point per game average highlighted by a 38-point outburst against Holy Family.

As difficult as the task seemed it was exactly what Lincoln was able to do. Using a wide variety of defenders, the Lions were able to limit Tyre and the entire Tigers offense as they cruised to a 50-30 road victory.

“We knew that the key of the game was stopping her from getting one of those 20-point games,” Lincoln head coach Tom Best said. “I’ve looking at those box scores and she’s been having an all-county season so far. Our goal was to stop her and make the other people prove that they can beat us.”

Best enlisted Shaquanna Bates and Indigo Hatcher to share the assignment of controlling Tyre. It was a test the two Lincoln (6-2) guards passed with flying colors as Tyre was limited to a season-low 10 points.

“We gave them the game ball today,” said Best about their defensive performance, admitting he was surprised they were able to hold Tyre to just 10 points. “They worked extremely hard, denying her the ball and keeping her in front of them.”

Tyre was kept off the scoreboard until the final minute of the second quarter when she connected on a pair of free throws. But by then the Lions had already opened a 15-point lead, essentially putting the game out of reach.

Snyder’s standout guard wasn’t the only one shut down by Lincoln’s defense. After two free throws from Sharrise Francis in the game’s opening minute, the Tigers (4-5) were held scoreless for more than 10 minutes. Lincoln scored 14 unanswered points in the stretch until a Princess Laroche layup midway through the second quarter.

While Snyder struggled to get into an offensive groove, Lincoln started to roll with the inside duo of Breana Bey and Zierra Williams.

Both Bey and Williams were dominant in the paint, each posting double-doubles. Williams, a senior, had 11 points and 15 rebounds. Bey, a sophomore transfer from St. Anthony, added 10 points, 15 rebounds and five steals as they show improved on-court chemistry as the season moves along.

“We have probably the best inside combination in the county,” Best said. “And you have to take advantage of that.

“Every game they’re getting more familiar with each other. It’s a process. The more they play, the more they’re going to get used to where they want the ball at and where the other person is going to be.”

Adams provided the perimeter presence to complement the inside tandem as she finished with a game-high 18 points.

Even in an off-night offensively, Tyre posted big numbers in defeat. Her 10 points were a team-high for Snyder as were her 13 rebounds and eight steals. Laroche and Brenda Williams added eight points apiece.

Indigo Hatcher, Lincoln

In addition to stellar defense, Indigo Hatcher added seven points and six rebounds.

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lincoln Lions (6-2)	15	11	14	10	50
Snyder Tigers (4-5)	2	6	12	10	30

Lincoln

Snyder

	2s	3s	1s	Pts
Shaquanna Bates	1	0	2	4
Indigo Hatcher	3	0	1	7
Breana Bey	4	0	2	10
Zierra Williams	3	0	5	11
Nhire Adams	5	2	2	18
Chaniyah Swan	0	0	0	0
Shekinah Suber	0	0	0	0
Pamela Larroco	0	0	0	0
Jadela Gaston	0	0	0	0
Total:	16	2	12	50

	2s	3s	1s	Pts
Tamara Tyre	3	0	4	10
Sharrise Francis	1	0	2	4
Princess Laroche	3	0	2	8
Rashida Washington	0	0	0	0
Brenda Williams	1	2	0	8
Naquilla Bowen	0	0	0	0
Total:	8	2	8	30

Lincoln: Bey 15 rebounds, 5 steals; Williams 15 rebounds; Hatcher 6 rebounds; Swan 5 rebounds; Bates 4 assists. Snyder: Tyre 13 rebounds, 8 steals; Laroche 7 rebounds; Washington 7 rebounds; Francis 4 rebounds; Williams 4 rebounds.