For the first time in three years, the Cavs’ boys’ basketball team, boasting a 13-8 record, is  headed to the playoffs. 

Junior Robbie Lemons is among many players who are more than happy with this great achievement. 

“This year, we’re much more determined. The guys all have a great attitude and we not only think, but know we can win,” he said. 

Currently ranked fifth overall among Div. V schools with under 300 students, the Cavs have high hopes for success. 

In their last playoff appearance,  in 2006, the Cavs lost 58-57 to Vacaville Christian, losing on a buzzer shot after turning the ball over in the final 10 seconds. This year, the team hopes to have more success should the game be decided in the final seconds.

Unlike most Sac-Joaquin Section playoff systems, the basketball system consists of a series of statistics and formulas rather than just league standings. 

The Cavs have earned their fifth spot based on their 6-2 league record (league games against Global Youth and Buckingham don’t count toward playoffs), their overall record, league power rating, non-league record, league strength, schedule strength, power rating, and seeding rating.

But that ranking may fall as a result of a heartbreaking Feb. 10 81-79 road loss to Valley Christian, currently seeded 10th, possibly denying the Cavs home-court advantage in the first round. The team had beaten Valley 63-53 on Jan. 16. 

The Cavs trailed by 16 midway through the third quarter, but battled back, led by a career-high 46 points from Lemons, to take a one-point lead in the final minute. 

H0wever, the Lions capitalized on a turnover to regain the lead, and junior Austin Karp missed an open shot that would have put the Cavs back on top. Poor free-throw shooting by Valley in the final 15 seconds gave Country Day one last chance, but senior Miles Bennett-Smith’s desperation shot from beyond half court rimmed out.

Despite the loss, coach David Ancrum was happy with the comeback, and Lemons’s effort. 

“We made a lot of baskets down the stretch,” he said. “We were just hurt by a couple of turnovers at the end.

 “Robbie’s a superstar, and [against Valley] he did what superstars do.”

With three players averaging double digits, the Cavs have played well on a nightly basis. 

One result of this success is the recent boost in attendance.

Unlike most home games the past few years, and even earlier this season, the gym has been full.

At Jan. 30’s Homecoming 50-31  blowout of Lutheran, fans packed the gym so tightly that some students had to sit on the baseline.

With impressive fan turnouts even at away games, the Cavs are receiving much-appreciated support that is propelling them to success. 

Tonight, the Cavs face Buckingham Charter on the road, attempting to avenge a 9-point loss earlier this season, before facing league doormat Faith Christian at home for Senior Night on Friday.  

The Cavs look to have success in these final two regular season games, gaining confidence for a potentially historic playoff run next week. 

GIRLS STRUGGLING

With a 5-12 record, the Lady Cavs are reflecting on what they could have done better this year.

Sophomore guard Dylan Pyle leads the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game. She has been frustrated by a lack of focus in practice.

“As a team, we could have worked on fundamentals better,” she said. 

Though the players believe their skills have been better than in the past, they think they could be more  focused during games. 

“Sometimes we got discouraged and let the good teams get to us. They took us out of our game and it seemed that we sometimes didn’t just play the other team, but ourselves,” Pyle said. 

Sophomore Francesca Bell also has been flustered this year. 

“It seemed as though we didn’t play as a team. It didn’t really start until the end when it was too late,” she said. 

The Lady Cavs are hoping they can turn things around next season, as they return all of their players.

The girls hope that they will take the floor with more confidence next season, after gaining a year of experience and learning the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.