Lincoln to See Reflection in Division III Title Game

Here’s a boys’ basketball team with a forward who scores and is a strong offensive rebounder; a hot point guard who likes to drive the middle and score points in bunches, and a guy who has coached for a long time but who recently won his first regional title and will debut in the state championship game today.

Lincoln High? Try Daly City Jefferson (32-1), Lincoln’s opponent in the state Division III championship game today at 12:45 p.m. at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

The similarities between these teams are remarkable.

Jefferson (32-1) is led by junior Teeter Marshall, a 6-foot 4-inch forward who averages 19.5 points and about 9 rebounds. He may not be that tall, Jefferson Coach Bud Bresnahan says, but he jumps well and is aggressive, especially on the offensive boards.

Lincoln’s Roger Johnson, a 6-6 forward, doesn’t score as much (13.6 points per game), but he’s the same type of player. Johnson jumps well, too, notwithstanding two missed dunks in last Saturday’s 80-68 victory over Lemoore in the Southern California Regional title game. Johnson averages 11.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks.

Jefferson’s other scoring threat is 6-1 guard Bryan Thomasson, who averages 18.7 points. Lincoln Coach Ron Loneski said he is worried because he heard that Thomasson likes to drive the middle to the basket. Lincoln has had problems stopping that during the season.

Loneski counters with 6-0 All-San Diego County guard Carl Gaines (19.4-point average). Gaines scores most of his points off the break and--you got it--likes to drive to the basket.

Thomasson has made 60 three-pointers this season. That’s one of the few differences between the two. Loneski gets on Gaines for passing up open outside shots.

The point guards play the same kind of game, too. Jefferson’s Patrick Cooks is relied upon to play tough defense and get the ball to the scorers. So is Lincoln’s Kenny Hawkins, although Hawkins can score as well. He had 28 points in one game this season.

“We’re very similar to them,” Bresnahan said. “But we’re not quite as big.”

That’s because Lincoln has 6-6 Aaron Wilhite and 6-3 Joe Temple, who plays as if he’s much taller.

Jefferson has Marshall and 6-3 center Geno Carter.

But Jefferson has beaten good, taller teams before. Santa Cruz has three players who stood 6-6, but Jefferson won that game, 65-58, for the Central Coast Section championship. Jefferson used its speed to neutralize the size disadvantage.

Bresnahan said he has heard that his team might not be as quick as Lincoln, but he said his players like to get out on the fast break. Jefferson averages 78 points a game.

Lincoln’s break has been especially effective during the playoffs, routinely generating 10- and 12-point scoring runs.

Defensively, both teams like to pressure the ball. Jefferson picks up man-to-man as soon as the opponent crosses half court. Lincoln hounds the ball full court.

Looking for a difference? It may be in the bench strength.

Bresnahan in January lost a starting point guard, Saunders Mayberry, because of poor grades. Cooks has filled in well, Bresnahan said, but he has had a fever and strep throat all week and may get limited playing time. Jefferson would then have to rely on freshman Lorenzo Hughes, who has been on the varsity for 2 1/2 weeks. The first guy off the bench, 6-3 forward Malik Wade, has been out with the flu, too.

Loneski said his team is healthy. That means he will have three players, guards Bernard Dickerson and Ellison Hawkins and forward John McCartney, who are used to playing a lot off the bench.