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Lightning in good shape for title run

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

The Southern Crescent Lightning (9-5) kicked off a home stand with a 104-89 loss to the Cleveland Magic on Sunday night.

The Magic led at the end of the first quarter 32-19 but the Lightning came back in the second quarter to lead 47-44 at the half. The Magic won the third quarter 36-15 and then kept the Lightning a safe distance away in the fourth.

Bobby Brown led the Lightning with 24 points, while Marcus Taylor added 18 and Dajan Smith added 16. Xavier Oliver had another solid night on the boards with 15 rebounds. The Magic had three players with over 23 points. Oliver is the league leader in blocks and is third in the league in defensive rebounds, Brown leads the league in offensive rebounds and is third in stels and Taylor is third in assists and fourth in steals. Jimmy Baxter has particpated in several workouts with the Atlanta Hawks and Jonathon Hargett recently worked out for the Detroit Pistons.

In other Southern Crescent Lightnig news, the team is seeking a new coach and general manager as Ricky Benitez is pursuing several other offers. The team has also added several new members to the team to assist their presence in the post and make a title run. The additions are Nate Williams, Derek Franklin and Tyrone Levitt.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the Lightning owners Todd and T.J. Hannon gave a state of the team addrss at the halfway point during the season. The brothers are excited to have the team in first place in the conference and third in the league and are looking to increase attendance at the games. Neither brother is taking a salary this season and all profits are going back into the community.

“We’ve done what we set out to do and we want the fans to rally around the team and in turn support the community,” said T.J. Hannon. Thus far, the Lightning have donated two 14 passeneger vans to the WinShape Foundation and have donated $2,000 to the Peachtree City Recreation Department, $1,000 to Whitewater High School for an emblem on the gym floor and $3,000 to Starr’s Mill High School for speakers for the sound system in the gymnasium.

The Lightning will host their conference rivals, the Gainesville Knights tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. before closing out this home stand on Sunday with a 2 p.m. game against the Macon Blaze. The Lightning has split the four previous games with the Knights this year. Tonight’s game will also be Free Photo night where children can wear the away jersey of their favorite Lightning player and get their picture taken with him. Local rockers and recent Battle of the Bands winners Ariana will perform at halftime and after Saturday night’s game, which will also be Pizza Party night. Every ticket holder will receive one free slice of pizza at the game. Sunday’s game will be Scout Day and any Scout, boy or girl, with a piece of their uniform will be admitted for $4.

For more information on the Southern Crescent Lightning, visit www.wbalightning.org.