Basketball Recap: Combine Academy Global Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Siphelele Ngubane and John Stokes III

Combine Academy Global played a tough match on Tuesday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They lost 59-37 to the Winston Salem Christian Silver Lions. While losing is never fun, the Goats can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 345th, while the Lions are ranked 49th).

John Stokes III

Rebounds

01/21/25 vs Winston Salem Christian Silver	9
01/20/25 @ Greater Vision Academy	9
01/17/25 @ Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy	17
01/14/25 @ Davidson Day	8
01/09/25 @ Non Varsity Opponent	10
12/17/24 @ Quality Education Academy	12

John Stokes III and Siphelele Ngubane certainly did their best on Tuesday to avoid the loss. Stokes III posted eight points and nine rebounds, while Ngubane went 5 for 11 on his way to 12 points. Stokes III has been hot, having posted eight or more boards the last six times he's played. Another player making a difference was Simbarashe Bete, who put up seven points and five rebounds.

Winston Salem Christian Silver's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Luca Zerio, who had nine points and three steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Novian Sims, who scored 13 points.

Combine Academy Global has traveled a rocky road recently having lost five of their last six games, which put a noticeable dent in their 8-8 record this season. As for Winston Salem Christian Silver, they are on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five contests, which provided a nice bump to their 7-4 record this season.

Combine Academy Global has already played their next matchup, a 67-61 defeat against Quality Education Academy Regional on the 23rd. As for Winston Salem Christian Silver, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, an 82-47 win against Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy on the 24th.