July 11-12 Tournament Recap
Jamel Howard (Tuscarora HS) from 17U NOVA Cavs-Lin sky for a finish at the rim in Hyattsville, MD this past weekend
Hyattsville, MD / Baltimore, MD – Seven of the Cavalier teams were in action this past weekend at Big Shots DC Duel NCAA Certified and Charm City Blue Chip Challenge.
14U, 15U and 16U-Sawitzky all participated in the Charm City Blue Chip Challenge at Maryland Junior Sports Center in Jessup, Maryland. Despite being undermanned for most of the weekend, the 14u/8th grade Cavs performed admirably and finished with an 1-2 record. Coach Mark Gray-Mende’s 15U team also went 1-2 on the weekend with a win over CBSA Hoyas. Meanwhile, 16U-Sawitzky made a big run to the tournament final with a combined 3-2 record. Coach Sawitzky’s squad will use the solid showing at Charm City to prepare for their NTBA National Championship tournament next weekend at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
In the Big Shots DC Certified Duel, both the NOVA Cavs 13U and 17U-Lin won the Championship in their respective age group. Coach Weeren’s 13U/7th grade Cavs won an exciting double overtime thriller over VA Hokies in the tournament final, as Drew Rowson (Robinson SS) nails the game-winning basket to help the Cavs take home the Championship. This marked the second Tournament Championship on the year for the 13U/7th grade team. Congratulation goes out to Coach Weeren and his 13U Cavs!
17U Cavaliers-Lin completed the DC Certified Duel as the 17U Orange Bracket Champion. NOVA swept through Saturday’s first three rounds with wins over Team 757 (48-39), Mid County Basketball (65-52), and Sons 4 Life (50-44). Tavon Tarpley (Langley HS) led the Cavs with 22 points and 5 rebounds in the first game, while Seamus Maloney (WT Woodson HS) scored a game-high 19 points in win over Mid County, and Nate Shafer (Langley HS) paced the Cavs with 17 points in the final contest on Saturday.
On Sunday, Cavaliers won the semifinal 46-29 over Staten Island Stringrays behind Jamel Howard’s (Tuscaoroa HS) game-high 11 points. NOVA then advanced into the Championship game against Hoop Dreamz Blue (PA). In the tournament final, the Cavs used a balanced attacked with four players scored in double-digits to cruise for a convincing 51-30 victory. Seamus Maloney was named Tournament MVP by Big Shots after the game, as the team finished 5-0 in the event and is currently 23-7 on the season with two tournaments remaining (see more story on Vantage Hoops here – Insider Access required).
17U-O’Donnell and 16U-Corish also competed in Big Shots DC Duel and finished with the identical 1-2 record. All four teams for the Cavs who participated in the DC Duel will participate in Hoop Group Jam Fest event next weekend at Spooky Nook Complex in Manheim, PA. Tournament Schedule can be found right here.
Go Cavs!