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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Defending city champion Lincoln sets sights on state title

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See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.

By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

The city championship won’t be enough for Abraham Lincoln this year — nothing less than a state title will do.

“That’s the most important part this year — to win a federation tournament,” said senior forward Desi Rodriguez.

The Railsplitters team won its first Public School Athletic League Class AA title since 2009 last season, only to be unceremoniously ousted by Long Island Lutheran in the state Federation semifinals.

Seton Hall-bound guard Isaiah Whitehead believes he and his teammates were too satisfied with just winning at Madison Square Garden.

“Last year was all about winning a city title,” said Whitehead. “That’s why we went out to states and played lackadaisically. We believed we won it all already, but we didn’t.”

Lincoln is the heavy favorite to repeat as league champions. Now the goal is to go beyond that and bring home the school’s first state title since 2008.

Railsplitters coach Tiny Morton was happy to hear of his squad’s determination — especially from Whitehead. Morton has seen a growing maturity in his star that has carried over from the summer. Whitehead, who averaged 21 points and 8.5 rebounds in league play last season, is no longer letting what others think and say get to him. He thrived off a crowd calling him overrated at a scrimmage against St. Raymond.

“He doesn’t go crazy, and just proves them wrong,” Morton said.

Whitehead will have plenty of help, starting with Rodriguez, who broke out in the post season. His 16 points and 17 rebounds helped propel Lincoln to a win over Jefferson in the city title game.

Morton is also excited by the play of senior guard Anthony Williams, who provides energy on defense and an ability to get to the basket off the dribble at the point guard spot.

A number of transfers have added to the Railsplitters’ core, starting with former Bishop Loughlin wing Elisha Boone, who comes in from Quest Prep in Las Vegas. Rykm Felder (Indian Land, S.C.) will give them added depth in the backcourt that lost Trevonn Morton. Mikohl Jenkins (Steel-High, Pa.) bolsters a frontcourt that lost the physical Elijah Davis to graduation. They give Lincoln multiple places to go for offense.

“We have more than one scorer,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody thinks Whitehead is going to come and score and do what he has to do. We have him scoring, me and Elisha Boone.”

All of that is music to Whitehead’s ears. He believes this team is the best in the city, and capable of challenging for a state Federation crown, because of its depth. They just need to get used to playing with — and trusting in — each other.

“It’s really about us jelling together,” Whitehead said. “Everybody says I’m the star of the team. It’s whoever has the hot hand that day.”

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.

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