Senior Spotlight: Experience Leads Lincoln Girls to Third Seed

From third place in 2018 to runner-up in 2019, the Lincoln Patriots seniors went into the 2019-2020 season with championship expectations.

After a run to the state championship game in 2018-2019 with a heavy junior class, the Patriots entered this season as one of the favorites to win the title. With expectations at an all-time high, Lincoln jumped out to a quick start winning eight of the first ten games. The back end of the schedule was a little tougher, but Lincoln would go on to finish 14-6 on the regular season. Each of the six losses that Lincoln suffered were to teams that finished .500 or better.

Following a SoDak16 win over Spearfish, the Patriots were set to enter the state tournament as the third seed and open tournament play against city-rival Washington. With the state tournament still up in the air, this group of seniors is waiting to see if they get that one final shot to cap off an incredible four-year run.

"This class of seniors is a very special group, not only because they are great basketball players, but they are outstanding students and ultimately great people. I'm just so proud of this group and what they have accomplished over the past four years- three trips to the state tournament (hopefully we can play in all three), a Third Place Finish, a State Runner-up, All State-athletes, All-Tournament Team athletes, Academic All-State athletes, players going off to play D-I, D-II, D-III, and NAIA basketball, as well as kids that are going off and majoring in high academic fields. They are a very cerebral group who have committed themselves to make this program better and to really buying into our philosophy here at Lincoln. They are all high character kids, and we were blessed to have them wearing Columbia Blue and Red!" - Matt Daly, Lincoln Head Coach

#4 Cheyenne Miller, G/F

Appeared in all 21 games for Lincoln this season
Averaged 3.5 points/game and 1.7 rebounds/game. Finished the season with 22 assists and 13 blocks.
College: South Dakota State (Academics. Major = Architecture)

"Cheyenne really stepped up big for us this year with an increased role at the wing spot. She knocked down big three-point baskets when we needed them. She is an outstanding defender, especially in transition. Her length and shot-blocking ability really came to the surface in her senior season." - Matt Daly

#10 Morgan Hansen, G/F

Four-year varsity player. Played and started all 21 games this season and averaged 28 minutes (of 32 possible) in each game.
Averaged 17.6 points/game and 7.7 rebounds/game during her senior season. Added 53 assists, 12 blocks, and 26 steals to her season totals.
Holds record at LHS for all-time career rebounds. Part of the LHS 1,000 point club. Named to the Metro All-Conference Basketball First Team.
College: University of South Dakota (Basketball)

"Morgan is probably the most dynamic athlete I have ever had the honor of coaching, Morgan is a complete player; a great jump shooter, she is relentless attacking the rim, she's our high school's all-time leading rebounder, and great shot blocker. She was a force at 6'1 playing at the shooter guard position. It will be a long time before we see a basketball player like Morgan walk through the halls of Lincoln." - Matt Daly

#12 Brooke Lindsay, G

Played in 17 games this season off the bench and started one game this season.
Controlled the floor at the point while on the floor. Did a lot of the "other work" on the court. Averaged 1.1 points/game. Also added four steals this season.
College: South Dakota State (Academics. Major = Mechanical Engineering)

"Brooke has always been one of the best jump shooters in our program. She has a great basketball IQ and always brought energy off the bench. Whether it was coming in the game and diving for loose balls or knocking down a big shot, she really gave us a lift this year." - Matt Daly

#14 Emma Osmundson, G

Three-year varsity player for Lincoln. Started all 21 games this season for Lincoln.
Second on the team in total points. Averaged 16.8 points/game this season. Also averaged 5 rebounds/game. Emma had a team-high 57 steals this year.
Named to 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 Metro All-Conference Basketball Teams
College: South Dakota State (Softball)

"Emma was always the player that stepped up in big-time situations, she always had the confidence and courage to hit big-time shots in big-time games. She has the uncanny ability to find a way to get to the rim and finish or hit a big-time three-pointer. She's a gamer. Her competitiveness sets her apart from your typical high school athlete. One of the finest defensive players I have ever coached." - Matt Daly

#20 Mya Wilson, G

Spent all four years on the varsity roster. Started all 21 games this season.
Averaged 1.8 points/game. Mya had 32 assists and 29 steals in her senior year.
College: Dakota Wesleyan (basketball)

"Mya is the greatest on-ball defender I have ever seen in high school girls basketball. Her lateral speed an quick hands made her a force in our full-court trap the last four years. Her ability to make plays at the ball and to apply pressure on the defense is second to none in the state. She has also become a confident jump shooter and ball-handler by the end of her high school career. She will do well at the NAIA level next season." - Matt Daly

#22 Brooke Brown, G

Four-year varsity player
Started all 21 games for the Patriots this season averaging 4.8 points/game. Had 44 assists and 19 steals this year. Shot 81% from the free-throw line this year.
College: Missouri Western State University (Basketball)

"Brooke has been a vital anchor at the point guard position the past four years. Words can't describe how thankful we were to have a confident ball-handler and decision-maker at the helm of our offense. She is also a tremendous defender, coming up with big steals and big moments. She will do well at the next level." - Matt Daly

#24 Valerie Higgins, G/F

Two-year varsity player for Lincoln. Transferred from Eden Prairie
Appeared in all 21 games for Lincoln this year and started two games. Averaged 1.6 points/game and 1.9 rebounds/game. Added six blocks this season.
College: University of St. Mary's (Winona) (Basketball)

"Val is one of the smartest basketball players you will find in the state, she has a great basketball IQ, always giving us a boost in the rebounding department, always making the right pass when she is on the floor. She has great length and a great work ethic that will help her be successful at the D-III level next season." - Matt Daly

#30 Sydney Huber, G

Appeared in all 21 games this season off the bench.
Averaged just under one point per game. Added six steals and 15 rebounds from the point guard position.
College: South Dakota State (Academics. Major = Exercise Science)

"Sydney gave us much-needed depth at the point guard spot this year. She was a solid ball-handler and played great defense. Played hard!" - Matt Daly

#34 Kate Amundson, F

Two-year varsity roster member.
Appeared in 11 games this season off the bench. Grabbed four rebounds and a steal in limited time this season.
Great multi-sport athlete that might be continuing her golf career in college.
College: Currently undecided, but will major in Biology.

"This was Kate's second year on the varsity roster, she brought great energy every day to practice, always had a positive attitude, really helped her teammates get better day in and day out." - Matt Daly

Congratulations to all nine Lincoln seniors on another great season and a great high school basketball career!

In conjunction with Scott Van Pelt's Senior Spotlight, each day ESPN 99.1 will highlight our local seniors for their accomplishments on the court throughout their careers.