Preview: Notus Pirates vs. Greenleaf Friends Academy Grizzlies
Notus is 8-2 against Greenleaf Friends Academy since January of 2018, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Thursday. The Notus Pirates will be playing at home against the Greenleaf Friends Academy Grizzlies at 6:00 p.m. Notus has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.
Notus can now show off four landslide victories after their most recent game last Wednesday. They took their contest at home with ease, bagging a 55-24 win over Vision. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest win Notus has posted since November 27, 2023.
Notus had a senior duo take command as Allison Grandeen scored 20 points along with six rebounds and three steals and Paige Emly scored 13 points along with six assists and six steals. That makes it three consecutive games in which Grandeen has scored at least a third of Notus' points. Nayeli Vargas was another key contributor, scoring ten points along with seven rebounds and two steals.
Meanwhile, Greenleaf Friends Academy scored the most points they've had all season to find success on Tuesday. They breezed by Gem State Academy at home to the tune of 47-16. The win made it back-to-back wins for Greenleaf Friends Academy.
Greenleaf Friends Academy found their leader in underclassman SARAH BROWN, who scored 21 points along with six steals. As a matter of fact, that's the most points BROWN has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of HOPE MILLER, who scored 11 points along with nine rebounds and two steals.
Notus pushed their record up to 8-5 with that victory, which was their fourth straight at home. Those victories were due in large part to their offensive dominance across that stretch, as they averaged 51.0 points per game. As for Greenleaf Friends Academy, they now have a winning record of 6-5.
Thursday's contest is shaping up to be a scrappy match: Notus have been smashing the glass this season, having only averaged 32.2 rebounds per game. It's a different story for Greenleaf Friends Academy, though, as they've been averaging only 25.5 rebounds per game. Given Notus' sizeable advantage in that area, Greenleaf Friends Academy will need to find a way to close that gap.
Notus lost to Greenleaf Friends Academy at home by a decisive 45-30 margin in their previous meeting back in January of 2023. Can Notus avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
