The Cavs finished in second place at the Folsom Vista Classic Tournament, Dec. 10-12, after beating Rodriguez High School in the first round, 54-45, and the Vista del Lago Eagles in the semifinal game, 70-68, but losing to the Folsom High Bulldogs in the final, 35-77.
Dec. 11 vs. Vista del Lago
In a nail-biter, the Cavs came out on top. According to junior Adam Dean, the Division III Eagles “were bigger than us, but not as skilled.”
The boys finished the first quarter strong, 15-9.
But the Eagles started coming back, closing the Cavs’ lead to only three points at the half, 35-32. Despite the size disadvantage, the Cavs played good defense, according to sophomore Rick Barros III.
Both teams played very aggressively, and the game was still tight at the end of the third quarter, with the Eagles up, 55-54.
During the fourth quarter both teams were neck and neck.
During the last eight seconds, the Cavs were up, 70-68.
Then the Eagles missed two game-tying layups in the last five seconds. They broke away and had the opportunity for an easy layup in the last play of the game, but missed, and Barros grabbed the rebound, guaranteeing the Cavs the win.
Sophomore B.J. Askew led the team with 22 points.
Coach David Ancrum attributed the strong win to aggressive play and good free-throw shooting.
The Cavs were then set to play in the final against Folsom High School at Vista del Lago.
Dec. 12 vs. Folsom
The Division I Folsom Bulldogs had the lead from the first basket and kept it the entire game, defeating the Cavs in the final, 35-77.
The Cavs were down 9-19 at the end of the first quarter, and the lead only grew from there. The game was very physical, and the Cavs committed 17 fouls.
At the half, the Cavs were down, 20-41.
There was a small crowd of parents and middle- and high-school students cheering on the team throughout the tough match.
The coach for the Bulldogs was very vocal, yelling at the referees, Ancrum and SCDS players, according to spectator sophomore Annya Dahmani.
By the end of the fourth quarter, starters sophomores Jayce McCain, Rick Barros III and Cole Johnson had all fouled out. Additionally, B.J. Askew had a double technical foul and was thrown out of the game after an altercation with some of the Folsom players, after Johnson fouled out.
“I think it was small things like hand checking (that caused the boys to get so many fouls called) and fighting for 50/50 balls,” said Ancrum, “I think they were more the aggressor.”
Starter junior Adam Dean also could not play because of a sprained ankle in the previous game.
The Cavs continued to play hard, but ultimately fell short, 35-77.
“We just kept playing hard throughout the whole tournament,” McCain said. “Even though we were overly matched, we fought until the end. Our opponents were really good. They were in way higher divisions than us.”
McCain and Barros were awarded All Tournament honors.
“I thought the boys handled the pressure and played (well) overall this weekend,” said Ancrum, “It’s great for us to play higher division teams for good competition.”
The Cavs’ next game is away against Napa High School on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.
—By Alexa Mathisen
