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CAVS 14U Win Swoosh March Madness Championship |
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Written by Chris Spann
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Wednesday, 01 April 2009 |
 The CAVS 14U went to the Swoosh Tournament in Santa Barbara March 27-28 in search of their 3rd straight Swoosh Tournament Championship and 6th straight championship overall. The tournament began with a re-match with the High Desert Crush, a team the CAVS defeated in the Valencia Swoosh Tournament two weeks ago. It was a heated match-up two weeks ago and the same was expected for this one.
The CAVS jumped on High Desert from the beginning. The CAVS came out with a purpose and were clicking offensively and defensively. The CAVS led 41-17 at halftime. The CAVS used a well balanced attack led by Chris Yanku who hit four 3-pointers to cruise to an easy 54-24 win. Once again, High Desert walked away upset and wanting another shot at the CAVS.
Game #2 against Fresno Havoc was the total opposite of the first game. The CAVS did get off to a quick start led by Antwon Johnson who outscored the Havoc by himself at halftime. The CAVS defense looked really well and held the Havoc to 8 total points as they took the 20-8 lead into halftime. The second-half was the worst half I have seen this team play since back in San Diego Thanksgiving weekend. The CAVS did not score in the second-half until there was 6:36 on the clock. Chris Johnson's defense in the paint helped keep the CAVS in the game during the scoring drought. A big 3-pointer by Chris Yanku late in the game helped to put the game out of reach for the Havoc. The CAVS won an ugly game, 30-19.
The CAVS earned a #1 seed in bracket play and received a first round bye, so they would only need to win one game late Sunday afternoon to earn a spot in the championship game. The opponent for the semi-final game turned out to be Fresno Havoc. This time, in the rematch, the CAVS played much better. Bruno Castillo, who had a terrible game in the first match-up against the Havoc, had something to prove and proved it! He hit four 3-pointers and was a monster on the boards. He even played great defense. In the second-half, the entire team played great defense and held the Havoc to 5 total points. The CAVS easily won 40-17 and advanced to the championship game.
Sunday afternoon at a tournament has become the best day of the week for the CAVS 14U. Even though Sunday signals the end of the weekend and the beginning of the return to school, they know that a championship celebration is usually in the works. Trying to prevent another CAVS championship was the team that is quickly becoming the CAVS most heated/hated rival, High Desert Crush. The Crush wanted the re-match, to prove they can finally beat the CAVS; the CAVS wanted to prove to the Crush that 3 times mean you are out. The CAVS started out a bit slow. The CAVS horrible free-throw shooting kept the Crush in the game early. The CAVS had a 25-14 halftime lead. In the second-half, the CAVS turned up the defensive pressure and used a well balanced attack to take control of the game and rout the Crush for the second time in 2 days. Everyone pitched in as the CAVS had one of the most impressive "team" wins all year. They had an answer for everything High Desert threw at them and proved once and for all that they are the best team. The CAVS came home with a 47-24 win and the Championship. The CAVS 14U continue to make Sunday a winning tradition. Six straight and counting.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 April 2009 )
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