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NOVA Cavs Have Strong Showing at the Charm City Blue Chip Challenge

Baltimore, MD – The 15U NOVA Cavaliers completed a great weekend in the Adidas Charm City Blue Chip Challenge going 4-1 and finishing as tournament finalist in the NCAA exposure event.

The Cavs opened pool play cruising to a 55-22 win against Maryland Attac.  Later in the day, the Cavs faced Nothing But Net (NBN) out of New Jersey and played a close back-and-forth game.  After a slow start which saw the Cavs down 17-12 11 minutes into the game, crisp passing and execution fueled a 13-4 Cavs run the final 3 minutes to end the half at 25-21 Cavs.  In the second half the Cavs weathered a physical press converting 11 of 12 clutch free throws down the stretch to win 56-48.

Sunday morning, the Cavs faced Maryland 3D for first place in their pool.  Maryland 3D did a good job getting the ball inside early to their 3 bigs and the first 7 minutes were back-and-forth before the Cavs switched to zone which slowed 3D down.  While 3D was struggling to score the Cavs offense continued to click with several key 3 pointers and great high-low action from the bigs.  They gradually built a comfortable 19 point lead before withstanding a late push by 3D to win 56-49.  Next they would take on a big and talented Delaware Aim team in the semis.  The Cavs though had a 3 point barrage knocking down 6 first half 3’s as the Aim’s defense focused and struggled to stop Sami, Sahil, and Tyler around the basket.  A stunned Aim team trailed the Cavs 35-15 at halftime.  Despite the deficit, the Aim came storming back and as good as the free throw shooting was at closing out NBN the prior night, this game would be the antithesis as the Cavs missed 11 FTs down the stretch keeping the Aim’s comeback bid alive.  The Cavs would get just enough clutch baskets to hold on for the 58-54 win and a trip to the championship.

The championship put the Cavs up against the Capital City Ballerz of Richmond.  Unfortunately for the Cavs with just 7 players and their third game of the day they came out a little lethargic and quickly dug themselves a 9-0 hole as the CCB length really disrupted the Cavs from getting into an offensive rhythm.  As they adjusted and got better looks, the Cavs missed a lot of layups and other shots that were falling for them the entire weekend and the CCB lead ballooned to 17 before the Cavs went on a 6-0 run to end the half trailing 29-18.  In the second half the Cavs cut the deficit to 6 with 4 minutes to go but it wasn’t enough as the Cavs would fall 53-41 to finish the weekend as tournament finalists at 4-1.

The Cavs played some real solid basketball this weekend with great ball movement, unselfish team play, and strong shooting fueled by the high percentage looks the team was creating for themselves.  Nate, Chas, Joey, and the suddenly hot shooting Josh M. all hit multiple 3’s on the weekend; kept the ball moving with great assists, penetration, and finishes; and handled pressure well.  Sami was at times unstoppable around the basket and as usual a big force to be reckoned with.  Sahil and Tyler both finished a lot of big shots around the basket too while at the same time stretching the defense with outside jumpers of their own.  Sahil also fell into the multiple 3’s category.

Sami, Nate, and Joey were also selected as game MVPs by the Charm City Staff: https://twitter.com/CharmCityBBall

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