By STEVE MAZZONE

Call sports writer

LINCOLN -  First it was a game against St. Raphael Academy. Four days later, it was another contest versus Cranston West. The remaining non-league slate includes more Division I battles with Cranston East and Woonsocket.
Lincoln coach Kent Crooks doesn't mind what's in store for his team in the next few weeks. It's all about getting prepared for the upcoming D-II state - a league that's loaded with parady.

With a squad that will be minus four key seniors from last year's team that went 13-5 in the league, Crooks is hoping those upper-echelon of teams will work on the Lions' mental state as well as their physical state.
Among those players missing from last winter's Lions are Tom Coloumbe, Ben Parrish, Alex Booth and Matt Menard.
During the last two years, the quartet was part of a team that went a combined 27-9 during the league season and was a state runner-up in 2005-06.
"They all had a four-year understanding of a complex offense," said Crooks, after his team suffered a 60-39 loss to Cranston West Tuesday night. "We've got to play a  little more conservative in that we don't have the arsenal that we had. We don't have a Tommy Coloumbe. We don't have a Ben Parrish. Like Rick Pitino said, 'They're not walking through the door.'"
Lincoln, which dropped its season-opener to the Saints by a 16-point margin, proved in its defeat on Tuesday that it does have some quality players. That once the season starts to progress, and once they start jelling, the Lions could be competitive in the league despite how hard it was hit by graduation.
Back this season is speedy point guard Willie Fay, a senior captain who is non-stop hustle and plays a gnat-like defense. Also returning is senior Jordan Wilson, a six-foot-one center, who gave an inkling on Tuesday how dangerous he can be. He had 10 points against Cranston West and certainly made things difficult for the Falcons underneath.
"(Jordan) gives great leadership," Crooks said. "He was diving on the ball with a couple of minutes left (against Cranston West). The game was certainly decided by then."
Senior Ethan Cloutier appears he'll be the Lions' long-range threat. With his high-arcing shot, Cloutier had three from behind the arc against the Falcons and more than a handful of near misses.
Another player to add to the mix is Aaron Sabatino, perhaps one of the most talented among the bunch. Sabatino, who has been a starter the last two years, was unable to play on Tuesday because of a severely twisted ankle that occurred during the Saints' game. He's expected back in the line-up this Friday when the Lions face Cranston East.
"Aaron Sabatino is a terrific player," Crooks said. "We have another kid back this season that came out for the team, Chris Truslow. He's a 6-3, high-energy player and he hasn't played for us yet. He's played a number of times in practice. I think he's going to help us."
"Depth is obviously something we are going to be looking for," he added. "We are looking for some veterans to step it up."
Lincoln opens its league season on Dec. 18 against an always-competitive Classical squad. Before that, it take on D-I opponent Cranston East. The day after Christmas the Lions face Woonsocket in the Cumberland-Lincoln Boys and Girls Club Tournament.
"They got a wagon this year," said Crooks about the Villa Novans, who are being considered as one of the top schools in D-I.
It's not going to be easy this month, and probably in the coming months for the Lions. But with a determined and talented squad, according to Crooks, it could be an interesting season. Only time will tell just how interesting it's going to be.