Basketball Recap: Natalie Weems Key Part of a Team Effort in Flames Win

After having lost a blowout in their previous game against Live Oak Classical, Faith Academy was happy to have turned things around on Tuesday. They came out on top against the Central Texas Christian Lions by a score of 33-21. That's more bragging rights for the Flames, who also won the pair's last head-to-head.

Faith Academy's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Natalie Weems, who posted eight points along with nine boards and six steals. That's the most steals Weems has posted since back in November of 2024. Hadley Shipley was another key player, going 7 for 17 en route to 14 points in addition to eight rebounds and three steals.

Faith Academy was working as a unit and finished the game with 11 assists. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 4.2 assists per game earlier this season, but in their last 15 matches they've averaged 5.4.

Several Lions players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Ellie Maurer, who had six points. Maurer has been hot recently, having also posted two or more steals the last three times she's played. Another player making a difference was Destin Stringfellow, who scored seven points.

With the win, Faith Academy broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 5-18. As for Central Texas Christian, their defeat dropped their record down to 7-7.

Faith Academy will look to defend their home court on Friday against Keystone at 6:00 p.m. Faith Academy is facing Keystone at the right time seeing as Keystone is stuck on a three-game losing streak. As for Central Texas Christian, they will head out to take on Lutheran at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.