CAVS 12U Sweep ARC Palm Springs Tourney!!

OMG. This is good stuff right here. As you all know, the CAVS Divisions – with the exception of 8U, 11U and 13U—headed down to Palm Springs this past weekend for the ARC Palm Springs Tourney - the first official tourney to kick off the CAVS Travel Season. CAVS 10U came close and 9U won their consolation game, but this weekend belonged to 12U.  Believe me....this championship title was important for more reasons than just winning. CAVS 12U would face off with Inland Force. Still doesn't strike a chord?  

Well...for those of you who do know the history, our boys lost to Inland Force as 10’s and as 11’s – each time in Palm Springs---both games by a mere one or two points. This year...through a nail-biting, intense-stand-up-and-stomp game, CAVS 12U defeated Inland Force for the championship, 39-38. 

There actually was a bigger lead, but, um...there were issues.

We’ll get back to that in a minute.

First off….CAVS 12U started things off on Saturday afternoon with a bang, defeating Basic Basketball 35-11.

That evening’s game mirrored the day’s successes, garnering a second win for CAVS 12U over the San Diego Black Mambas:  64-10.

Then would come the moment of truth….would Inland Force defeat CAVS 12U for the third year in a row…or would 12U get with em’? 

This year, 12U got with em’. 

12U started the game off with a forward-leading bang, but many bad calls/mistakes/turnovers later, the game proceeded with a score closer than it should have been.

Neither team is comprised of slouches, so the action was on. Inland Force would make a basket, CAVS 12U would make a basket; tit-for-tat. Everyone in the stands felt there were terrible ref calls throughout…but none of that mattered or could change things. U know how it is.  Yep. Wow. CAVS 12U had seven straight turnovers, while Inland missed those seven they had the chance to get—all while the crowd in the bleachers hooted and hollered. Could it have been the pressure?  YA THINK?

To make matters worse, CAVS power-player DJ McDonald was unfortunately fouled entirely out of the game. Still, CAVS 12U plowed through it all, with the game on the line. Ultimately, things came down to the wire with CAVS12U leading 35-30. 


An Inland free-throw earned from a 12U mistake and an additional three-pointer later, placed Inland Force head-to-head with 12U, for a tie at 37-37, with 2:30 left on the clock. OMG.

CAVS 12U made an excellent play to place them at 39, but Inland Force went to the free-throw line yet again, making one in/missing one, raising the bar to 39-38. 12U missed a basket, placing the ball in the hands of Inland Force. Uh-oh. 

With less than ten seconds left in the game, 12U pressured Inland with that strong CAVS defense, but one slip would allow Inland Force to go up for a 3-pointer…..

…..and the gym was so quiet and intense for that moment, you could hear a single leaf blow outside…..

…..but Inland missed the basket and CAVS 12U held the ball til’ the clock ran out for the win.  Phew!

Yes! Finally! CAVS 12U defeated Inland Force 39-38. Shouts out to all of the CAVS 12U players for their respective hustles, but this time, this game….the golden rings go up for Cameron Townsend. WE SEE YOU, BOYEE!!! Our big guy was playin’ HARD like he came to win and it was beyond recognizable!! GO BIG CAM!!! (He is the one with the ball)

The thing is….it is only a matter of time before the two teams meet to play again. CAVS 12U vs. Inland Force. Ooh wee. 

It will be interesting to see those results….but not without Tylenol first. Mercy.

Congrats CAVS 12U!!! GAME ON, BABY!!! 

***For more in-depth game details and the usual "official" tourney write-up, please visit our main website http://www.cavsyouthbasketball.org.