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Lincoln has four starters that average in double-figures, but the starter who doesn't, led the team in a balance effort Saturday afternoon in a 55-36 victory over Washington in South Dakota boys high school basketball.

Junior Caleb Rector scored 14 points grabbed five rebounds dished three assists and made two steals in helping the Patriots (7-5) snap out of a four-game funk.

Rector drilled a pair of "3's" and tallied 10 points in the 3rd to help the Pats secure a big win against a District 2 team.

"He's a kid that can catch fire at any time," said Lincoln head coach Jeff Halseth. "When he's patient and lets things come to him then he gets good looks and he really went after it today."

The Warriors shot 24 percent in the 62-35 loss to Lincoln a few weeks ago. Saturday in LHS gym, the Warriors (4-10) shot 26.5 percent while missing on all 17 three-point attempts.

Junior Brett Stanley, four games back from a PCL injury, looked like he is feeling better and gradually more explosive leading the Warriors with 14 points seven rebounds (five offensive).

"We just weren't with it today," said Washington coach Craig Nelson. "We actually looked the team in November and December, a team that can't make layups and free throws and just wasn't guarding anybody."

Nelson had been happy with the team's progress over the last two weeks including the seven point win Tuesday over Brandon Valley.

"I still like what our team is doing in a lot of areas, but we don't have a lot a margin for error," he said. "We really have to be on top of things every night to compete against some of these better teams."

Lincoln led the entire way jumping out to a 5-0 lead on an Addison Park lay-in four seconds into the game and followed it up with a trey moments later. Park finished with nine points as 10 Patriot players scored.

TURNING POINT: Lincoln used a 7-0 in the final stretch of the first period to take a 15-6 lead after one. Pushing and pounding in the middle of the second quarter, Lincoln up 19-12, beat Washington down the court again and again in 9-0 run to reach a 28-12 advantage and led at halftime 30-15.

Halseth was happy with the team energy after suffering a loss the night before at home to Brandon Valley and liked how the half-court sets looked better.

"We actually showed a little patience, moved the ball side-to-side and got the defense moving, we have been trying to stress that to these guys," Halseth added.

Lincoln's largest lead came in the fourth quarter at 54-29 with 3:11 remaining.

Noteworthy number: Both teams combined to shoot 14-32 at the free line.

What’s next: Lincoln stays at home to challenge top-ranked Roosevelt Tuesday on ESPN 99-1, while Washington plays at Sioux City East the same night. Next weekend Washington plays Clark-Willow Lake in Brandon.

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