Cavazos' Late Free Throws Help Roosevelt Edge Trenton

When the Bears and the Trojans met last year, Roosevelt registered a 29-point victory against the Trojans.

There was no blowout this year, but still the same victor as Roosevelt walked away with a thrilling 64-62 triumph Thursday in a game that saw five lead changes in the fourth quarter.

Senior made two free throws with six seconds left and finished with 19 points, and senior had 18 points to lead the way for Roosevelt.

“The fourth quarter was intense,” Cavazos said. “When I stepped to the line, I knew that I had to make the shots, that this was it.”

The Bears took a 15-12 lead after a physical first quarter—Trenton was one foul from entering the bonus in the period—and Roosevelt used a flurry of three-pointers to push its lead to six early in the second quarter.

But Roosevelt went on a cold streak for three-plus minutes, allowing Trenton to grab a 32-30 halftime lead.

Cavazos, senior , and sophomore Devan Stewart led the Bears with eight points in the first half. Trenton was led by Dan Hall who had 12 points.

The third quarter easily could have been out of hand for Roosevelt had it not been for the play of Holderbaum.

With Trenton pushing its lead to as many as six points, Holderbaum began to make shot after shot to keep his team in the game. He finished with 10 points in the quarter, and he tied the game with 20 seconds left in the quarter.

Roosevelt had seized momentum, but still needed to finish the job. Cavazos not only made key baskets but also found players who were available to take open shots. Still, Roosevelt trailed by four points with two minutes left in the game until Holderbaum hit a three-pointer that pulled his team to within one point with just over a minute left.

Trenton then created an error. Cavazos was fouled going for a loose ball with six seconds left in the game, and he calmly, Cavazos stepped to the free throw line and nailed both free throws.

With no timeouts left, Trenton brought the ball in and raced up the court. A desperation shot never got off, but a foul was called with no time left. Jeff Bradybaugh stepped to the line to shoot three times with with no time left, but he could not convert.

“Tonight we played too fast and we were flying past the basket and missing easy shots,” Roosevelt coach Dave Cramton said. “We need better defense and more hustle. I want these kids to take more things personal when they play.”

Trenton head coach Rick Morrow believed both teams played well.

“Both teams played very hard,” Morrow said. “Mistakes cost us early on, but this was a good game for the fans. We are definitely playing hard against other teams.”

Roosevelt is off until Monday when they will play at Allen Park. Trenton will play Monday at Kennedy.