The Lincoln East girls varsity basketball team hopes to return to state this season, and make a run at the championship.  The Spartans won the 2015 State Championship, finishing the season 23-5.  Last year the Spartans finished the season 19-7.  The Spartans beat Lincoln Southeast to win their district, and advance to state.  East fell short to the Pius X Thunderbolts in the first round of the State Tournament, losing 44-36.

East returns four year varsity center, Regan Sankey, as well as power forward, Allison Roh.  The seniors will join a young squad, led by sophomore guards Charlotte Bovaird and Taylor Searcey.  “We only graduated a couple girls last year, so I think we’ll have pretty much the same people,” said Sankey.  “We’ll play a lot more younger people, more sophomores this year.”  Size will not be a problem for the Spartans with Sankey at 6’2”, Roh at 6’, and senior Rachel Weber at 6’1”.

This season will test the leadership of the upperclassmen, as the majority of the roster will be sophomores and freshman.

For seniors like Sankey, another state title is the ultimate goal, but doesn’t define the success of their season. “Probably just coming out strong, working together, come out with a winning record, and be known as one of the best teams in the state,” said Sankey.

Returning to state is always a huge goal for the Spartans, as well as staying true to the fundamentals of good team basketball.  “I would really like for our team to go back to state again, and make a state run,” said Sankey.

The Spartans are coached by Dennis Pritchard, who’s in his 12th season as the head varsity coach.  The Spartans enter the preseason rankings at #5 with key matchups against defending state champion Lincoln Southwest and Lincoln Northeast.