Storm vs. Lighthouse

NLC Storm 56 Lighthouse Eagles 43

The Storm used a strong 4th quarter to break open a close game and pull away for a 56-43 win over the Lighthouse Homeschool Eagles. With the victory over the NCHE East Region foe, the Storm now has run their record to 2-0 in conference play. The Storm started the game strong, getting out to a quick 7-0 lead after a sweet left-hand layup in traffic and 3-pointer by Rebecca. Lighthouse recovered and tightened the game, and the Storm maintained a small lead for the rest of the first half, going into the break up 27-24. Lighthouse pushed the ball inside in the 3rd period, using their size advantage to take the lead. The rest of the 3rd quarter the lead see-sawed back and forth, but the Storm drew some fouls late in the period taking the ball strong to the basket and used the FT's to take a 4-pt lead at the end of the period. The 4th quarter began with Ryan getting a steal and layup. Then Rebecca got a steal and fed Ryan for another break-away. The Storm increased the defensive pressure and soon pulled out to a 12-point lead. They then maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Hannah Grace led the scoring again with 16, joined in double-figures by Rebecca and Anna. Anna led in rebounds with 9. The Storm again passed the ball well, getting 16 assists on 21 made FG. Six different players had at least 1 assist, led by Rebecca with 7.

Storm vs. Christian Faith Center, Part 2

NLC Storm 63 Christian Faith Center 59

In a rematch of last Friday's home loss, the New Life Storm went on the road and earned a hard-fought victory over the Lady Conquerors in Creedmoor by a score of 63-59. The game was very similar to the first meeting between the two teams, an exciting back-and-forth game where neither team was able to pull away, but this time the Storm came up big in the last 2 minutes, coming from behind to win. Christian Faith led most of the first half, but never by more than 6 points, as the Storm stayed within striking distance with tough defense, good ball movement, and some timely outside shooting from Hannah Grace. At the end of the 2nd quarter, the Storm made a surge and took the lead 30-28 on a fast-break basket by Ryan. Both teams started a bit slow offensively in the 2nd half and the Storm missed some good opportunities to build on their lead. Then the Conquerors' star Anastasia Tuset, who came in averaging 24 points/game, got hot, scoring 10 consecutive points to put Christian Faith up by 8. The Storm refused to wilt and fought back to even the game early in the 4th period. The Storm adjusted with good help defense to swarm and contain Tuset, forcing her to take difficult shots or pass off. Offensively, they attacked the basket and drew fouls. The Storm pulled out to a 51-47 lead behind good FT shooting, but Christian Faith retook the lead with a couple of put-backs and their own good FT shooting. With just over 1 minute to play, Anna scored on an assist from Courtney to tie the game at 59. After a Christian Faith miss, Rebecca grabbed the defensive rebound and quickly advanced the ball up the floor, where Anna scored the go-ahead basket off another pass from Courtney. After another miss by the Conquerors, Hannah Grace hit two FTs with 11 seconds remaining to ice the game. Hannah Grace led the Storm in scoring with 28 points, including 5-7 from 3-pt range. Rebecca (13) and Anna (11) joined her in double-figures, while Anna and Daryl pulled down 12 and 11 rebounds respectively.

Storm vs. Christian Faith Center

Christian Faith Center 59 NLC Storm 51

The New Life Storm dropped a hard-fought, fast-paced game to the Lady Conquerors of Christian Faith Center Academy by a score of 59-51 on Friday, Jan. 23. The Storm got off to a good start in this game, moving the ball crisply against the Conquerors' zone. Daryl was very active early, scoring the Storm's first 6 points. 3-pointers from Hannah Grace and Ryan helped the Storm to a 14-12 lead after one quarter. Things stayed even until late in the first half, when the Storm lost focus a bit and committed some turnovers, which Christian Faith was able to turn into a 29-24 halftime lead. In the 3rd quarter Christian Faith pulled out to a 10-point lead, but a scoring burst from Hannah Grace starting late in the period brought the Storm back and they retook the lead in the 4th quarter. Most of the 4th period the lead was back and forth. Down the stretch, a basket by Shelby put the Storm up by 1 but Christian Faith answered. Two FT's by Shelby again put the Storm up by 1, but this time the Conquerors answered with a 3. Hannah Grace tied the game, but again the Conquerors nailed a 3 for a 3-pt lead. The Storm was not able to answer this time, as they didn't make another FG, while the Conquerors made their FT's to put the game away. Hannah Grace and Daryl both had double-doubles for the Storm; Hannah Grace with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Daryl had 11 points and 19 boards. The Storm had to play this game without Rebecca, out with a sprained ankle, but Anna moved out to the point and did a good job running the offense.

Fayetteville Game Cancelled

The game scheduled for January 20 against the Fayetteville Homeschool Crusaders in Fayetteville was cancelled due to the snow.