Game Report:
Louth Storm 71 v Skegness Knights 56
Start of the new season and what a way to start! The team was supported by around 20 people who all shared the drama on the court with those playing. Skegness arrived with only 5 players but we're no push over, they we're committed, organised and strong. Louth Storm took an early lead of 8 points and never looked back, however, in the 2nd quarter Skegness went on a scoring run but through strong individual plays from Phil Thomas and Jake Smith the Storm regained control of the game. The second half saw the storm's starting five explode out of the blocks, a quick succession of 4 fast break basketballs increased the storm's lead to 18 points. A rested bench came onto the court and secured a further development in the teams lead. A well deserved victory but credit must go to Skegness Knights for fighting hard and playing with only 5 players.
Game Report:
South Lincs Dragons 59 v Louth Storm 35
First loss of the season, but a lot gained at the same time. The first quarter saw three 3 pointers scored by James Brook, John Blythe and Sam Smith which kept the storm in close contention with the dragons, a few moments later Jake Smith punished the dragons open zone with two baskets, storm leading by one point. The second qaurter was much like the first, both teams exchanging basket to basket but it would be the dragons that took a slender lead of 5 points in at half time. The second half saw the dragons go on a 10 - 0 run and was stopped by John Bylthe who sank two 3 pointers late in the quarter. The power and experience of the dragons eventually proved too much for the newly formed storm, dragons winning the game 59 - 35. The storm players played with ambition and fight and with extra training and more game experience the coach an players expect good things.
Game Report:
Grimsby Gators 51 v Louth Storm 56
Louth storm went into the match with a 3 week break behind them and at times the lack of match practice was noticeable. The first quarter ended with the storm up by two, both teams evenly shared the possession. The second quarter was much like the first, very competitive and physical, with both teams realising that they needed a quick succession of baskets to take control of the match. Grimsby started the stronger and soon took a 8 point lead. Coach Brook need to call a time-out to break Grimsbys flow and proved to work, calming the players down. Louth storm then pushed harder, chasing all loose balls and becoming more competitive with rebounding. Grimsby took a slender 5 point lead into the third quarter. The third saw a great response from the Storm with quick cuts to the basket and high percentage long range shooting but it would Grimsby that would lead by two. The start of the fourth was an important moment in the game and it was the Storm that started the stronger and soon took the lead but Grimsby would keep pushing, cutting into the lead. With 2 minutes left Louth had a 7 point lead and Grimsby needed to foul to get ball possession. With 12 seconds to go and Grimsby only down by 3, Louth captain and head coach James Brook went to the three throw line and sank both of them. Storm win by 5.
Game Report:
Louth Storm 85 v Grantham Swallows 32
Louth men's basketball team stormed to success in their opening game in the new leisure centre. The Grantham swallows could not cope with the man to man pressure defence that the storm played throughout the game and suffered their biggest defeat of the season. The game never got started for the swallows, the storm exploded from tip-off executing their much thought of fast break game and by the end of the first quarter the storm already had an 17 point lead. The lead only continued to grow, the pace of the storms game never dropped and the crowd never lost their passion in support of their local basketball team
Game Report:
Louth Storm 65 v Grimsby Gators 60
With a successful win last week against Grantham Swallows, Louth storm was looking to maintain their winning streak against the improving Grimsby Gators. The team had over 40 people in attendance all in anticipation of another storm victory.
The storm raced to an early lead of 11 points within the first 6 minutes but a change of tactics from Grimsby saw the lead cut to 4 by the end of the 1st quarter. The gators took the momentum into the second quarter and both teams exchanged baskets keeping the game close. The third quarter saw the Gators take a 3 point lead and with the storm looking despondent the Gators continued to grow in confidence ending the third quarter with a 7 point lead. Head coach James Brook re-motivated his players and gave them focus and much needed belief. The storm started the fourth quarter the more aggressive and soon re took the lead controlling the game with Sam Smith scoring a succession of 3 point baskets.
Game Report
Louth Storm 68 v Lincoln Lightning 46
The storm welcomed the Lightning into the storm arena! There was a buzz of anticipation from the crowd as the storm looked to maintain their wining run at home. The first quarter saw no advantage in play, both teams exchanged baskets and was even with defensive rebounds. The second and third quarter was very much like the opening 1st, both teams competing at a high level but it was the storm who took an early lead into the 4th. The start of the 4th was important for both teams and it was the storm that took the early momentum which put pressure on the lightnings man to man defence. The lightning went into a zone defence which left the short corners to be exploited by the storms long range shooters.
Game Report
Louth Storm 45 v Boston Kings 67
The Storm we’re hosts to the league leaders Boston Kings, a team that has been drafted into the league from Lithuania and are currently un-defeated. The atmosphere was electric and the supporters we’re in good voice throughout the match, with over 40 in attendance.
The first quarter was a good start for the under-sized Storm, both teams mirrored one another’s scoring but it was the Kings that proved more successful in 3-point attempts. The start of the second quarter proved to be the turning point in momentum and it was the kings that started the more aggressive, scoring a quick succession of inside and outside shots, which broke down the storms defensive rhythm. The storm failed to maintain their scoring run from the first and by the end of the first was trailing by 14.
The start of the second half was much like the second quarter, the physical attitude of the kings proved to be too aggressive on the defence end, with the kings securing a higher percentage of rebounds. The storm players weathered through the rest of the game but could not find their shooting consistency and the kings took the game by 23 points, the storms first home loss of the season.