2025 FBA Season/25.04.09/HNT@LOR/Capsule
-Firestorm remains hot by taking down the Mayors; O’connor and Walstein honored-
The season is going down to the wire, as for Lorain, it’s all systems go as they would receive the Huntsville Mayors at the Precinct tonight for this FBA game. Lorain has been doing well, having a 6-4 recond in their last ten games, but has shown consistent play ever since they made key trades at the deadline. In the meantime, the Huntstville Mayors have been having a rough season, having been struggling to keep in the middle of the pack in the East conference, having dominated last year.
Lorain Starting lineup had been dominating for a good part of the game as Teresa Coyotl finished with 26 points, Tyrique Kendricks with 20 points and Edwin Griega with 25 points and 7 rebounds, earning player of the game honors in a 124-116 win for the Firestorm. Honorable mention to one of the key trades done by the Firestorm, as guard Caroline Radley would score 18 points from the bench. For the Mayors, Lauren Fash scored 20 points, Jhearett Tendua score 22 and rookie Olivier Turcotte scored 16 from the bench.
One of tonight's main highlights though happened after the game, as the Firestorm would be honoring Martin O’Connor and Mariam V Walstein, two players who would be retiring after the present season. Here the highlights from what the honored players had said:
Martin: For starters, I would like to thank the fans for sticking with me these past few years. From the football field in Berlin to the basketball court here in Lorain, I will never forget the ones who stood by my side throughout my career. Until my final game I will keep at my utmost best! My story as #5 may be ending, but a new chapter is just beginning. Danke, Lorain! (Cue Martin holding Beth up like simba, who's wearing a mini Lorain Firestorm jersey)
Mariam cleared her throat, choking on a tear. The audience started to clap. Mariam: Well here we are...and little ol’ me, the buffalo from the Mojave Desert...I thought this day would never come when I would no longer dance the court before an entire world of supremely awesome fans..” The crowd was dead silent. Mariam took a deep breath and sighed.
Mariam: There is an appointed time for everything...a time to dance, and I have come to dance with fellow warriors in front of the world that has become my mishpocha, my family. Heh, we all have come to see both the small and the great crash against this iron moo. My time in the dance is done, but the ball still dribbles on. I am going to spend the first few weeks of this off season making up for the sacrifice my three calves and two wahs along with my fellow iron moo, Isaiah, have made so I could reach the basket and make buckets. Then, before the draft, I will become familiar with Explorer Stadium to begin the next season taking my Uncle Levi’s place as owner of the Huntsville Mayors. Finally, I say to my beloved bro in heaven, Jared, number 17, you were ever with me as we graced the courts. Thank you all.”
The crowd cheered when suddenly Maus-tisyahu’s live like a Warrior ringing through the speakers as procession of the various species of varying size and shapes came out onto the court dancing conga-line around the perimeter of the court and right back out. THe giant 8'3” okapi leading the procession made several players stand up, then look at Mariam as she started laughing.
“Family,” was all she said as she sat down amidst the wide-eyed stares.
It was truly a testament of how tightly knitted and dedicated to the team as a family the Firestorm showed tonight.
-Ken Williams
FSPN analyst
(written with collaboration with Shrouded Nights and Gideonwebb)