The new year comes with more basketball to be played at all levels, including for Darlington Storm in the Second Division of the Durham League.

 

The story for Darlington Storm up until now is one with many twists and turns, mostly on the bad side, sadly for Leo Cassidy, the team’s coach.

 

With many unlucky events and important players missing, the team now finds themselves sitting second last, but with games in hand compared to the Teesside Lions and East Durham.

 

The start of the season was a mixed bag for the Storm, winning 2 and losing 2, including a dramatic win against the Stockton Shadows 70-69. However, after a beginning to the season which promised a push towards the top half of the league, a 6-game losing streak began which changed Leo Cassidy’s plans for the 2023-24 season.

 

All means are not lost yet for the Storm, as 5 games are still yet to be played in 2024, which can still bring Storm to an honourable mid-table finish. 

 

To add to Darlington Storm's case of a renaissance in the second half of the season is that they are no stranger to this sort of comeback. Last season saw them bring together a streak of 7 wins in a row after a similar rough start, which allowed them to finish 5th.

 

Could a post - Christmas ‘Remontada’ be on the horizon for Cassidy’s men or will we see a continuation of the losing streak? Their fate will be decided in the last 5 games of the season, 4 of which will be at home.

 

The team needs Darlington’s support with their next home games being held at the following venues:

 

10/01/24, 19:45 - Darlington Storm B vs Golden Smog Warriors - Sedgefield Community College

24/01/24, 19:45 - Darlington Storm B vs Golden Smog Warriors Gold - Sedgefield Community College

31/01/24, 19:45 - Darlington Storm B vs Teesside Lions B - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

(AWAY) 07/02/24, 19:15 - East Durham Lions C - Darlington Storm B - East Durham College

21/02/24, 19:45 - Darlington Storm B - Lambton Legions - Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College