High School Basketball Roundup : Dixon and Lincoln Slow OLP’s Run Toward Title

Our Lady of Peace, leading by eight with 3 minutes left in the third quarter, looked as if it would defeat Lincoln for the second time and all but wrap up the City Central League girls’ basketball championship.

But Lincoln’s 6-foot-2 sophomore center, Sheila Dixon, had different ideas.

During the final 11 minutes, Dixon scored 13 of her game-high 29 points to lead Lincoln past OLP, 57-51, Tuesday at St. Augustine’s gym and keep the Hornets’ title hopes alive.

OLP (16-5, 6-1) is striving for its first league title after beginning basketball just three years ago. The Pilots still lead Lincoln (14-5, 5-2) and San Diego (9-10, 5-2) by a game with three left for each team.

With league games remaining against San Diego, Hoover (1-12, 0-7) and Crawford (6-14, 2-5), OLP would have been in excellent position for the championship had it beaten Lincoln.

“A win would have really iced the cake,” said Carol Burnett, OLP’s coach.

The Hornets, who lost to OLP earlier (57-56), this time used their overwhelming height advantage to dominate the boards, especially on the offensive end. Dixon, with 16 rebounds (eight offensive) was the leader.

“I was more aggressive, and I got more rebounds today,” said Dixon, who stands six inches higher than OLP’s tallest starter.

“(Height) is our biggest problem,” Burnett said, “We don’t have any. We have to be smart, and we have to be fast. Today, we weren’t. And that’s why we lost.”

Trailing, 29-27, at the half, OLP went on a 14-4 run led by Tammy Tavares (18 points, seven steals, six assists). Lincoln then went on a 14-3 run to retake the lead, 47-44.

It was 52-49, Lincoln, with 2:08 remaining, when Dixon got an offensive rebound, scored and was fouled. She made the free throw, then another quick basket after an OLP turnover, and Lincoln led, 57-49. Tavares’ 15-footer with 26 seconds left ended the scoring.

Keisha Mobley scored 12 points and had eight rebounds for Lincoln. Kathy Bashi scored 12 points, Deanna Beauparlante 11 and April Velk 10 for OLP.