San Diego Player of the Week : He Came Back to Be Leader

Lincoln High School’s basketball team won the City Central League title last season, but Coach Ron Loneski’s hopes for another championship seemed slim because his team was young and inexperienced.

Lincoln struggled to a 7-5 nonleague record, but something happened that turned Loneski’s concern to confidence.

Ken Thompson, a 6-foot 5-inch point guard and the only player with varsity experience, began to take over once league season started.

“At the start of the season,” Loneski said, “we had an identity problem, kids trying to see what the other kids could do. I’m proud of Kenny Thompson, he has really been the instrument that brought these kids together.”

Thompson, 17, attended Lincoln as a freshman, but transferred to Montgomery and played varsity for two seasons before returning to Lincoln this year. His return has added stability and leadership to Lincoln.

Last week, Thompson, The Times’ Player of the Week, had 51 points, 25 rebounds and 15 assists to lead Lincoln to victories over Christian and San Diego. He leads the team in scoring (15.8 average), rebounding (13) and assists (8).

In the 67-51 victory over Christian, which broke a first-place tie atop the league standings, Thompson scored 10 fourth-quarter points. Christian had led by a point with two minutes to go in the third quarter before Lincoln went on an 10-2 run. Thompson had six of those points and finished with 24.

“Sometimes coach tells me, ‘Take over, you’re in charge,’ ” Thompson said. “I just do what I can to help us win, if that’s what it takes for us to get to the Sports Arena (for the Section 2-A title game).”

Thompson is the tallest guard in the county, which enables him to see everything happening on the court. And, if nothing is happening, he can quickly create something.

“When I get the ball,” Thompson said, “and go to the middle and get ready to shoot and I pull up and I see somebody open, I just dish it off to them.”

Said Loneski: “When he drives he makes things happen. Of all the kids I’ve seen this year, he’s the best.

“I haven’t seen anybody with Kenny’s complete total attitude. I don’t have to worry about him going to class or getting good grades.”

Thompson wants to do more than help Lincoln win a Section title. He wants to help the school change its image.

“We’re known mainly for football,” he said. “We want everybody in the community to see that we’re more than just a football school.”