The London Lightning are setting a record in the National Basket League of Canada.
The team is currently 18 and three so far this season, good for the top team in the league.
Gabe Freeman dribbling through players. Courtesy of Kedar Pai
The Bolts are currently riding a 14 game win streak after beating the Saint John Riptide 116 to 96 last night. The streak sets the new record for longest win streak in the six year old league’s history.
Chris Croucher, the commentator for the London Lightning and a writer on the NBL said, “it’s really special the run they are on right now, when they won their 13th they tied the record held by Windsor and Windsor is their big rival, so that adds a little extra to it.”
Croucher said that the streak solidifies the Bolts as the best team in the league, and quite possibly the best in history.
One factor that sets this team apart from the rest, is the chemistry. Even though the Lightning only has two returning players from the team that lost the seventh game last year in the finals with Ryan Anderson and Garrett Williamson, they have been getting along well and finding each other on the floor.
“That chemistry has given them a boost, and they all click with each other, there are so many plays where there is almost those 2nd sense passes where you know where the guy is going,” said Croucher on their team chemistry. “Most of their baskets come from understanding each other and working with each other.”
The Lightning certainly are spending a lot of time together with the schedule they have this year that including four games in five days were they went 2-2 in that span.
Royce White with the ball Courtesy of Blake Murphy
A big help as come from their leader on the team and a new addition to the league in Power Forward Royce White. White has averaged 17.86 points and 10 rebounds a game through his first 21 games.
“He’s been their MVP this year, he’s able to do everything on the floor, he’s so special in terms of the league because there hasn’t really been a talent like him, he can move the ball, play inside, there hasn’t been that guy that is a threat in all areas” said Chris Croucher on how Royce White is fitting into the new league and a new team.
The Lightning’s next game is on the road against rival Windsor Express on March 8th at 7 pm.
