HSPN East Coast CHAMPIONS!!!

NLC Storm wins HSPN championship in OT

The New Life Storm faced a familiar foe in the 4A bracket championship game. Playing in a tournament with 16 teams from 5 different states, the team standing in the way of the title was the team from our own backyard, the Lighthouse Eagles. The teams had played 4 previous times - twice during the regular season, for the East Region Championship, and in the State Consolation game - with the Storm winning all four times. This time both teams had key differences. Arianna was able to play for the Storm after being ineligible for the previous games due to conference transfer rules. The Woods twins were a late-season addition to the Lighthouse team after playing much of the season for the Middle Creek High School varsity. The venue this time was the 9000-seat Vines Center, home of the NCAA Division 1 Liberty Univ. Flames.

The game began with both teams shooting the ball well. The Storm showed very good patience and decision-making against the Lighthouse zone defense, working the ball around the perimeter and waiting for a good shot. Rebecca, Hannah Grace, and Shelby all drained 3-pointers and Daryl and Anna found seems in the middle of the zone to score. Lighthouse was not able to get the ball inside against the Storm zone and after hitting several 3's early they went cold from the outside. The Storm also did a good job rebounding against the taller Eagles to prevent 2nd shot opportunities. By halftime the Storm had pulled ahead by 10 points. Lighthouse began the 2nd half in a pressure man-to-man defense and forced the Storm into some quick turnovers and sliced into the lead. NLC steadied themselves and did a good job spreading the floor and driving for scores or dishing off for a layup. At the end of the 3rd quarter the lead was still 8 points. In the 4th quarter Lighthouse increased the pressure again, pressing full court and playing much more physical defense. They began pushing the ball inside and scoring on almost every possession. By midway through the 4th quarter, Lighthouse had closed the gap. The Storm girls were tough with the ball and began drawing fouls against the physical Eagles. NLC hit 8 FT's in a row to match Lighthouse baskets. With the Storm up by 2 and the final seconds ticking down, Lighthouse missed a shot but scored on a put-back with 4 seconds left to tie the game.

Overtime again - for the 3rd night in a row! Down by 1 point Hannah Grace drove through 3 defenders for a layup to put the Storm back in front. On defense they double-teamed inside to prevent Lighthouse scores. Anna came up with huge rebounds on the last two Lighthouse possessions and grabbed a crucial loose ball to prevent a turnover. When a desparation heave by Lighthouse from beyond halfcourt missed, the Storm had done it - they were the overall champions of the tournament! Once again, in a tight, down to the wire game, each of the Storm girls made the plays they had to make down the stretch and came through in the clutch. What a performance and a great way to end the season!

Daryl was named MVP of the tournament and Hannah Grace was named to the all-tournament team.