16U-Lin Takes Home Battle of NOVA Bragging Rights
Battle of NOVA Invitational Recap
Reston, VA – NOVA Cavaliers (Lin) successfully defended their title and won Battle of NOVA Invitational tournament for the second consecutive year; it is the team’s third Tournament Championships of the 2014 season.
The journey was not an easy one though, as the Cavs defeated their nemesis NOVA GameChangers with a go-ahead shot at the buzzer to avenge an earlier loss back in May. Danny Krug’s clutch shot beat the horn as Cavaliers stormed the court to take home the bragging rights to NOVA.
Cavs breezed through the pool-play with a 50-24 win over Arlington Green Wave and 53-25 victory over NOVA 94 Feet. NOVA welcome back the return of Avi Silberman, who had 10 and 7 points in each game of the pool play. In the Semifinal, Cavaliers stave off a feisty CBSA Hoyas team and won 43-34 behind Nate Shafer’s 12 points and 8 rebounds performance.
In the tournament final, Cavs jumped out to a 9-0 start and was coasting with a 12 points lead midway through the second half, when the GameChangers made an key 13-0 run to take over the lead with just under one minute remaining. Cavaliers then forced a turnover with 30 seconds left in the game, setting up a stage for Krug’s heroic moment. As the time winding down, the Krug drove to his right and elevated at the elbow spot for the pull-up jumper; the shot swished in at the buzzer as NOVA wildly celebrated in jubilation.
The 4-0 mark at Battle of NOVA Invitational push Cavaliers to a 17-6 record so far on the year. They will travel to New York City this upcoming weekend to play in Rumble in the Bronx event (host by Five Star Basketball).
Watch Danny Krug’s game winner vs. GameChangers in the Championship game.