Despite playing without Hannah Grace, last season's leading scorer, the Storm girls kicked off the season with 2 solid wins on the first day of the tournament in Greensboro.
NLC Storm 53 High Point Eagles 38
The first game started off slow, but a banked 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer by Katie Patrick put the Storm up 10-2 at the end of the first quarter. Grace Carll came off the bench and was a real catalyst - the tempo and defensive intensity noticeably increased when she entered the game and the Storm pulled out 25-9 by halftime. High Point came alive offensively in the 3rd quarter and cut the lead to 8 in the 3rd quarter but could get no closer, as the Storm again pulled away and led by double-digits most of the way. Aaron was able to play lots of combinations and get everyone plenty of rest, which was important with 2 (or 3) more games to go over the weekend. 7 players scored at least 5 points, led by Hannah Carlson and Katie with 9 each. Shelby pulled down 10 rebounds and Emily dished out 6 assists to lead the team. The Storm had 21 steals on the game, with Sarah grabbing 6.
NLC Storm 56 Blue Ridge Panthers 43
In the night game, the Storm came out playing with a purpose against a good Blue Ridge team fresh off an impressive blowout win over Upstate earlier in the day. Blue Ridge didn't have an answer inside for Shelby, who scored 6 early points. 3 pointers from Hannah and Emily and a long 2-pointer by Grace helped extend the lead out to 22-10 at the end of the first quarter. In the 2nd quarter, though, Shelby sprained her ankle and left the game, never to return, and Blue Ridge came back to tie the game as the Storm hit a lull and settled for too many quick 3-pt shots. In the second half, playing without their two leaders, the rest of the Storm team stepped up. They got the running game going and scored repeatedly on runouts and fast break baskets to pull back out to a double-figure lead in the 3rd quarter which they held the rest of the way. Emily led the team with 13 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Katie also scored 13 points. Hannah Carlson had 10 points and 5 assists; Grace had 10 points and 4 assists; and Sarah, despite fighting foul trouble, was tenacious on the boards with 9 rebounds and played lock-down defense on the Panthers' leading scorer.
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