The Lincoln Middle School Lions roared to a double victory by clinching the Alameda Education Foundation’s (AEF) Division I and II girls’ basketball championships. Capping an undefeated season, the Lincoln Div. I team faced off against the Wood Middle School Beavers on Jan. 24. The Lions defeated the Beavers, 42-19, to secure the championship. The prior week, Wood narrowly defeated Academy of Alameda to earn a chance to face the Lions in the final.

In the Div. II title game, it was Academy of Alameda (AOA) who gave Lincoln a run for their money on Jan. 17. Lincoln eventually came out on top, 25-13.

Eight teams from six middle schools (AOA, Encinal Junior Jets, Wood, Lincoln, Alameda Community Learning Center and Nea) participated in this year’s girls’ basketball season. Students wore many hats to make the program a success, including serving as gatekeepers and scorekeepers. AOA had a cheerleading squad that added excitement to the games.

AEF’s Middle School Sports program is designed to provide students with the benefits of participating in organized sports to support their physical and socio-emotional development. Academic and behavioral tie-ins with participating Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and Charter middle schools help prepare students for high school. The AEF program includes fall coed volleyball, winter girls’ and boys’ basketball, and spring track & field. AEF took over running AUSD’s Middle School Sports program in 2009. Approximately 650 sixth to eighth graders benefit from the program over the course of a school year.

Boys’ basketball season began today, Feb. 2.