Storrm VG vs Lighthouse

New Life Storm 50   Lighthouse Eagles 12

The Storm girls won their first conference game of the season with a blowout of the Lighthouse Homeschool Eagles.  The Storm dominated the first half with smothering pressure on the ball and an offense that moved the ball well and generated a lot of points off the fast break,  When Emily hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, the score was 40-6, which was the highest-scoring half of the season for the Storm.  The win moved the Storm to 1-0 in conference play.  For the game, Hannah Grace and Katie led a balanced scoring attack with 9 points apiece; rebounding leaders were Leigh with 10 and Grace with 9.  Emily dished out 4 assists.

Storm VG @ Franklin Academy

Franklin Academy Patriots 49   New Life Storm 47

For the second year in a row, the Storm girls led virtually the entire game on the road at Franklin Academy, only to drop a tough one at the end to the Patriots.   NLC played a strong first half at both ends of the court, building a 30-16 halftime lead behind 14 points by Shelby.   The Storm lacked focus to start the second half, with 7 turnovers in the first 3 minutes of the half which swung the momentum and gave Franklin new life.  Foul trouble also kept Shelby on the bench most of the 3rd period.  The Storm maintained a slim lead mostly due to free throws, as Hannah Grace repeatedly drove to the basket and drew fouls, but the Patriots caught up in the last half of the 4th quarter, setting up a tense final 2 minutes.  A FT by Shelby with 45 seconds left put Storm up 47-46, but a long pass downcourt led to a Franklin basket to make it 48-47.  A jumper from HG then went halfway down and came out.  Franklin left the door open by missing FTs, but turnovers prevented the Storm from getting off another shot.  Shelby finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds, leading the team in both categories, and Hannah Grace was also in double-figures with 14 pts.

Storm VG vs. Durham Academy

  Durham Academy Cavaliers 63  New Life Storm 30

Playing at home for the second night in a row, the Storm girls lost to the Cavaliers of Durham Academy.  The 3A Independent school used their size and speed to burst out to an 11-0 lead to start the game.  The Storm adjusted and played them even for the rest of the first quarter, trailing 20-9, but in the second period were unable to convert on some good shots and gave up too many turnovers and offensive rebounds, as the Cavaliers extended the lead to over 20 points.  Injuries kept Shelby, Hannah, Emily, and Hannah Grace on the bench for much of the second half, hampering any opportunity to try and mount a comeback.

Storm VG vs. Friendship

New Life Storm 50  Friendship Falcons  39

The Storm girls won the season's home opener 50-39 against the Falcons of Friendship Christian School.  The Storm girls quickly converted the opening tip into an Emily Stone layup, but then went cold and struggled to score through much of the first quarter.  With the score tied 6-6, the seniors got things going as Shelby went to work inside on both ends of the court, and Hannah Grace hit a 3-pointer and a couple of fast break baskets.  The Storm went on a 25-7 run over the rest of the first half.  The dominance continued into the third quarter, and 3 consecutive baskets by Shelby off assists from Hannah Grace pushed the lead out to 43-17 midway through the third period.  For the game, the Storm was led by Hannah Grace's 14 points and 4 assists, and Shelby's 14 points and 10 rebounds.