Jefferson spoils seniors' night for Lincoln Friday, February 22, 2008

Tresa Palmer poses with her grandparents as her dad takes a picture after the game Feb. 21. It was seniors' night for the Cardinals, on their last regular season home game of the year.

Lincoln's six seniors honored their parents Thursday night with flowers and balloons at the last regular season home game of their high school careers.

Then the PIL(6A) champions took on their undefeated 5A counterparts, Jefferson, in the unofficial city championship for girls basketball.

(right) Jefferson's Arquisha Jackson intercepts Makenzie Blythe's pass to the wing in the third quarter.

Lincoln came out strong against undefeated Demos, leading by four at the end of the first quarter. But Jefferson, who beat Lincoln 65-50 in January, came back with strong play in the second and third quarter, going on to win 62-50.

Kelsey Goodell led the Cardinals with 14 points. Dequise Hammick scored 16 for the Demos.

Both teams have a bye in the first round of their respective playoffs. Lincoln will play the winner of Reynolds vs. Lake Oswego on Mar. 1 in the 6A playoffs. On the 5A side, Jefferson will take on the winner of Pendleton at Silverton on Feb. 29.

(left) Aliyah Green squeezes between Jefferson's Hollisha Watson (left) and Dequise Hammick in the first quarter. Green scored five for the Cardinals.