Lincoln Basketball: A Brief History

Lincoln Basketball is a historic Basketball Program that has produced some of the game’s greatest players Follow the program’s history through the years with this blog.

The Early Years: Lincoln Basketball begins in the late 1800s

Lincoln basketball can trace its roots back to the late 1800s, when the game was first played at the University of Nebraska The first recorded game took place on February 8, 1891, when the Cornhuskers defeated Ames College, 36-12. Basketball quickly became popular on campus, and by 1893, a formal intramural league had been established. However, it would be several more years before Lincoln basketball would make its mark on the national stage.

In 1898, Nebraska joined the Western State University Basketball Association which also included Kansas, Iowa State Missouri and Creighton. The conference held its first tournament in 1899, with Nebraska coming out on top. The Cornhuskers would go on to win the conference tournament four more times in the next decade.

In 1908, Nebraska joined the Missouri Valley Conference which quickly become one of the premier college basketball leagues in the country. The Cornhuskers won the conference tournament in both 1909 and 1910, but they were unable to conquer the mighty Kansas Jayhawks who won eight straight conference titles from 1911 to 1918.

It wasn’t until 1919 that Nebraska finally broke through and won its first-ever conference championship Led by coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, the Cornhuskers went 11-1 in conference play and then defeated Drake in the Conference Tournament final. Unfortunately, they were unable to repeat as champions in 1920 due to a disappointing 5-5 conference record.

The early years of Lincoln basketball were filled with ups and downs, but one thing was certain: the game was here to stay. In just a few short decades, it had become one of the most popular sports on campus and was poised to take its place among the country’s elite programs.

The First Teams: The first organized teams emerge in the early 1900s

The first organized teams in Lincoln emerge in the early 1900s. These teams were usually associated with local businesses churches, or schools. One of the earliest recorded games was between two teams from different parts of town in 1904. The game was played on a dirt court with a half-court line and ended in a 44-32 victory for the team from the north side of town.

Interest in basketball continued to grow and by 1910 there were reportedly over 100 teams in Lincoln. Many of these teams played informally against each other, but there were also some organized leagues and tournaments. The first citywide tournament was held in 1915 and featured 32 teams. The Championship game was between two High School teams, with Lincoln high school winning 46-30.

The Birth of a Rivalry: Lincoln High vs. Omaha Central High

In the early 1900s, high school basketball was a relatively new sport in Nebraska. In fact, it wasn’t until 1902 that the first high school game was played in the state. But by the 1920s, the game had really taken off. And no two teams were more competitive than Lincoln High and Omaha Central High

The two schools were just eight miles apart, and their student populations were similar. Both had a strong tradition of academic excellence. But on the court, they couldn’t have been more different. Lincoln was known for its disciplined, methodical style of play. Omaha Central, on the other hand, was all about flash and pizzazz.

The rivalry between the two teams was intense. The games were always close, and the stands were always packed with screaming fans. In fact, the rivalry was so strong that it even made its way into the state legislature!

The golden era The 1950s and 1960s are a golden era for Lincoln basketball

The 1950s and 1960s are a golden era for Lincoln basketball. The program wins several conference championships and earns a reputation as one of the best in the country. Future NBA Stars such as Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson play for the team, and Lincoln becomes a factory for producing professional basketball players

The Decline: The 1970s and 1980s see a decline in Lincoln basketball

In the 1970s and 1980s, Lincoln basketball experienced a decline, due in part to the loss of Key Players to graduation and transfer. The team struggled to find its footing during this period, posting several losing seasons. However, Lincoln did manage to make it to the NCAA tournament in 1983, but lost in the first round.

The Resurgence: Lincoln basketball begins to rebound in the late 1980s and early 1990s

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lincoln basketball began to rebound. In 1988, the Railsplitters went 21-5 and won their first Public League title since 1981. The team was led by future NBA player Khalid Reeves, who averaged 28 points per game The Railsplitters made the city Championship game that year but lost to Martin Luther King high school

In 1992, Lincoln won its second Public League title in four years. The team was once again led by Khalid Reeves, who averaged 27 points per game The Railsplitters made the city Championship game but lost to King.

In 1994, the Railsplitters won their third Public League title in six years. The team was led by future NBA player Ronnie Fields who averaged 28 points per game The Railsplitters made the City Championship game that year but lost to King.

The Resurgence came to an end in the mid-1990s when crime and violence began to rise in the neighborhoods around Lincoln. Many of the Top Players from the Resurgence teams left Lincoln to go to college or play professionally overseas. As a result, the quality of basketball at Lincoln declined sharply in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The New Millennium: Lincoln basketball enters a new era in the 2000s

The New Millennium: Lincoln basketball enters a new era in the 2000s

Basketball at Lincoln has always been a source of school pride. In the early 2000s, the team enjoyed several successful seasons, culminating in a Conference Championship in 2002. Since then, the team has gone through some ups and downs, but they continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the court.

In recent years Lincoln has embraced a more up-tempo style of play. This change has led to some success, including a trip to the State Tournament in 2016. The future is bright for Lincoln basketball, and the team is poised to make more history in the years to come.

The 2010s: Lincoln basketball continues to thrive in the 2010s

The 2010s saw Lincoln basketball continue to thrive. The team won the state championship in 2010 and 2012, and made it to the Final Four in 2013. In 2014, the team won its first ever NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament game, defeating New Mexico State

The Future of Lincoln Basketball: What lies ahead for the Lincoln basketball program?

It has been several years since the Lincoln Basketball Program has seen any real success. The team has not made it to the playoffs in over five years and has not won a championship in nearly two decades. Many people have lost faith in the program and are wondering if it can ever return to its Glory Days

The future of Lincoln basketball is uncertain. The program has been through a lot of turmoil in recent years including the firing of Head Coach Bill self and the hiring of new head coach Fred Hoiberg. There is a lot of work to be done if Lincoln is going to return to the top of the Basketball World

The first step is for Hoiberg to turn things around on the court. The team has shown flashes of potential under his leadership, but they have yet to put it all together and make a run at the playoffs. If Hoiberg can get the team playing at a high level, they will have a chance to compete for a championship.

The second step is for the administration to provide Hoiberg with the resources he needs to be successful. That includes things like training facilities, quality assistant coaches and access to recruiting data. If Hoiberg has everything he needs, he will be able to put together a competitive team that can make a run at the playoffs.

The third step is for the community to get behind the team and support them. That means attending games, cheering them on, and being involved in their success. If the community can show its support for Lincoln basketball, it will go a long way in helping the team get back on track.

Conclusion: A look back at the history of Lincoln basketball

In conclusion, basketball has been a big part of Lincoln high school for many years. The school has produced some great teams and players over the years, and the tradition looks to continue. Thanks for reading and Go Railsplitters!