Is the fire out?

By Jeri Ballard --

The Lighthouse Saints boy’s basketball team suffered a discouraging defeat against Newbury Park Adventist Academy 44-60 on Tuesday.

The small band of young men seemed sloppy and slow in the first quarter, putting the LCA behind, but it was the 3rd quarter that buried them..

Towards the end of the 2nd quarter, things were beginning to lighten up as Lighthouse Christian Academy made a bid to improve. The Gators’ bench was nervous and the Santa Monica team coaches were excited; the team went to close off the 2nd quarter with a 6-0 run.

Both teams came into the 2nd half ready to go; each side knew that this game was up for grabs.

Surprisingly however the Saints team did not show up and were ice cold from the court despite the best efforts of senior Marcus Scribner.

The running back for the Saints football team transitioned seamlessly bringing his aggression, athleticism and football IQ to the hardwood floor; he scored and scored, stole balls and assisted teammates and gave really smart fouls that stopped the other team’s momentum.

But Marcus' energy could not elevate his teammates.

Newbury Park countered with a 3-point barrage sinking shot after shot to lead the Saint’s on a 20-3 run; the team with very concentrated talent very easily closed out the game to leave the LCA students speechless.

LCA Coach David Horowitz stressed the need for more practice for offensive capabilities to flourish; people were sluggish and flat-footed, which left the court with no rotation.

Games are expected to get even rougher from this point on and the Saints will need to focus if they want to keep a positive season.

The squad is desperate to get out of the slump they put themselves in with today’s defeat marking their 3rd loss in a row only a few days after the close battle between the Hillcrest and Lighthouse Saints.

Its season started with four straight wins, but the current slump has people asking: What happened to the fire?

Jeri Ballard is a sophomore at LCA. He was point guard until a nasty foul in the Hillcrest game fracture his ankle and took him out of the rest of the season.

Here are the previous Lighthouse Christian Academy basketball games:

• Gotta keep your cool
• God and basketball in LCA loss
• Lighthouse point guard doesn't disappoint
• Saints pass chemistry class on court
• No gift for Christmas
• Skater sinks shots