Lightning Watch: Lightning's Central division looking strong
The London Lightning came
away with three wins during their
big three-game weekend this past
month; a 108-84 thumping of
Windsor, a 107 to 93 win over
Brampton and a 127-102 shootout
against the Mississauga Power.
With that weekend, they had
played all four teams (the other one
being the Ottawa SkyHawks) in
their division, the Central.
Here's a little preview of each team, and why they could give London a run for its money this year.
The Mississauga Power came into Budweiser Gardens for London's home opener, and they looked confident. They beat the Lightning 99-97, putting their rivals to a 0-2 record. The Power, who recently moved from Oshawa, have two former London players on their team. Morgan Lewis went first overall to the original Power during the league's inaugural draft three years ago. He then went to London and won the championship last season. Lewis has been one of the best shooting guards in the league during its existence. Through their first four games, he has been shooting above .500 and averaging more than 14 points per game (ppg). The latter will only improve, as Lewis was called on more during their second game with the Lightning, after Nick Okorie went down injured. All but two of their seven returning players have been averaging above 10 ppg. Their 2-4 record isn't fair, with former Bolt Tyler Murray also playing well.
The Windsor Express were unlucky not to come away with a win when they played London to open that three-game-in-three-days set. Star rebounder DeAndre Thomas essentially started the game with a technical after an early incident. Thomas, also a former Bolt, gives Windsor a big size advantage down low.
Returnee Stefan Bonneau has been leading the league in points and assists, with league veteran and perennial all-star Darren Duncan behind him in the backcourt as point guard. This is a guard-centric league; and Windsor has what it takes to make noise in the playoffs as they started the season at 3-1.
The Brampton A's are one of the two expansion teams that are going to be good this year. Starting the season at 4-2 (with only two home games) the A's have a good core of existing National Basketball League of Canada talent. Cavell Johnson, and Cedric Moodie are both averaging 16 ppg after coming over from Saint John and Oshawa respectively. That's not to say they haven't found some diamonds in the rough either, as Evaldas Zabas is averaging 17 ppg. A Canadian, Zabas is leading the team in scoring, all while playing as point guard.
Finally, the Ottawa SkyHawks seem to have built their team with only players from outside the league. Big players like Ryan Anderson (19ppg, two steals per game) have been plucked from higher leagues like the National Basketball Association Development League. Their head coach, Kevin Keathley, has been coaching since 1998 in leagues like the D-League. Most of the team is comprised of players that used to play for Keathley at one time or another. With a 2-2 record, one of the most anticipated teams in the league will get on a run and will look deadly.
Marty Thompson is the play-by-play voice of the London Lightning for their livestream, SportsLive24.net.
Here's a little preview of each team, and why they could give London a run for its money this year.
The Mississauga Power came into Budweiser Gardens for London's home opener, and they looked confident. They beat the Lightning 99-97, putting their rivals to a 0-2 record. The Power, who recently moved from Oshawa, have two former London players on their team. Morgan Lewis went first overall to the original Power during the league's inaugural draft three years ago. He then went to London and won the championship last season. Lewis has been one of the best shooting guards in the league during its existence. Through their first four games, he has been shooting above .500 and averaging more than 14 points per game (ppg). The latter will only improve, as Lewis was called on more during their second game with the Lightning, after Nick Okorie went down injured. All but two of their seven returning players have been averaging above 10 ppg. Their 2-4 record isn't fair, with former Bolt Tyler Murray also playing well.
The Windsor Express were unlucky not to come away with a win when they played London to open that three-game-in-three-days set. Star rebounder DeAndre Thomas essentially started the game with a technical after an early incident. Thomas, also a former Bolt, gives Windsor a big size advantage down low.
Returnee Stefan Bonneau has been leading the league in points and assists, with league veteran and perennial all-star Darren Duncan behind him in the backcourt as point guard. This is a guard-centric league; and Windsor has what it takes to make noise in the playoffs as they started the season at 3-1.
The Brampton A's are one of the two expansion teams that are going to be good this year. Starting the season at 4-2 (with only two home games) the A's have a good core of existing National Basketball League of Canada talent. Cavell Johnson, and Cedric Moodie are both averaging 16 ppg after coming over from Saint John and Oshawa respectively. That's not to say they haven't found some diamonds in the rough either, as Evaldas Zabas is averaging 17 ppg. A Canadian, Zabas is leading the team in scoring, all while playing as point guard.
Finally, the Ottawa SkyHawks seem to have built their team with only players from outside the league. Big players like Ryan Anderson (19ppg, two steals per game) have been plucked from higher leagues like the National Basketball Association Development League. Their head coach, Kevin Keathley, has been coaching since 1998 in leagues like the D-League. Most of the team is comprised of players that used to play for Keathley at one time or another. With a 2-2 record, one of the most anticipated teams in the league will get on a run and will look deadly.
Marty Thompson is the play-by-play voice of the London Lightning for their livestream, SportsLive24.net.
