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CAVS 15U Win Swoosh March Madness Tournament |
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Written by Chris Spann
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Wednesday, 01 April 2009 |
 The CAVS 15U participated in the Swoosh March Madness Tournament in Santa Barbara March 28-29. It was the first tournament for the CAVS 15U since returning after the completion of the high school basketball season. It was as if they never left. With the core unit back together again, and a few new faces, the CAVS got off to a great start.
The first game of the tournament was against the Santa Barbara Ballers. This was a game the CAVS defense dominated from the beginning to the end. In the first-half, the CAVS gave up only 8 points. The CAVS really turned up the defensive pressure in the second-half, allowing just "1" point. Emotions ran high throughout the game. The Ballers tried to rough-up the CAVS by playing a bit more physical, but the CAVS had an answer for everything the Ballers tried. Ryan Wright and Jonathan Bell led a well-balanced attack as the CAVS dismantled the Ballers 59-8.
 Team West was the opponent for game #2 . The CAVS jumped out to an early lead behind the explosiveness of Steven Jones. He attacked the basket the entire game. The CAVS also rode the wave of momentum after Kennedy Edward exploded for a monster slam dunk. The CAVS built a 15-point lead and were rolling. However, Team West wasn't shaken. They hung in and had a second-half charge that fell short. The CAVS held on for a 55-50 win.
The CAVS began play on Sunday against the Ventura Heat. This was another game where the CAVS opened up a big lead and never looked back. Led by the inside play of Ryan Wright, who dominated on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Ventura had no answer for him. Tanner Samson led the charge from the outside, knocking down timely 3-pointers to help deny the Heat any chance of a comeback. The CAVS pressure defense wore down Ventura as they seemed to be out of gas by the end of the game as the CAVS won 70-53.
Next up for the CAVS was Highland. The CAVS were in control of the game the entire time. After a slow start, the CAVS got going and never looked back. Once again, the CAVS defensive pressure wore the opponent down. The big man combination of Ryan Wright and Kennedy Edwards was just too much for the small Highland team. Even with the CAVS not playing their best game, they cruised to a 52-24 win.
 The best game of the tournament was next, against the L.A. City Wildcats. The Wildcats are a very physical and athletic team and they pushed the CAVS to the limit in an action filled track meet. Everytime the CAVS would gain a little breathing room, the tenacious Wildcats would make a run and get back in the game. Once again, the CAVS big men, Ryan Wright and Kennedy Edwards, were the difference makers. Their size and skill was really unmatched throughout the tournament. Tanner Samson's calming influence in the game was also huge. Tanner hit three huge 3-pointers that helped to keep the Wildcats from taking the lead late in the game. This was a game worthy of being a championship battle. The 74-69 CAVS win did advance them to the championship. Did the CAVS have enough left in the tank for the championship game after this battle?
Finally, the CAVS reached the championship game after a long Sunday. the Thunderdome's center court was the location for the tournament's final game. The Oxnard Bulls were the opponent. The CAVS started off slow as the Bulls attacked the basket and tried to run with the CAVS. The CAVS began to settle down and dig in. Ryan Wright, who had an outstanding tournament, led the charge. Ryan took care of rebounding, blocking shots, scoring, and most importantly, being the vocal leader this team needs. Tanner Samson and Tigran Martirosyan each hit 3 big 3-pointers each as the CAVS eventually cruised to an easy 57-24 win to clinch the championship.
There is work to be done for this team to fully reach its potential. This is a group that can be one of the best teams in the country. Welcome back CAVS 15U.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 April 2009 )
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