The New York City Mayor’s Cup Tournament
The Cleveland Wheelchair Cavaliers opened up its 2009-2010 season with a second place finish in the New York City Mayor’s Cup tournament over the weekend.
In pool play, the Wheelchair Cavaliers opened up the tournament with a strong win by beating the Suffolk Cobras by a score of 62 – 8. All Cavaliers players scored at least one basket lead by three players in double digits, Will Waller with 18 and Steve Smutak and Juan Woidtke each with 10. The Cavaliers were lead on the boards by Vince Momosor with 6 and Waller and Smutak grabbing 5 each.
The second game was much closer but the Cavaliers prevailed 46 – 35 versus the Nets. The Cavaliers were lead in scoring by Will Waller with 18, Steve Smutak with 12 and Juan Woidtke with 10. Waller lead the team on the boards with 9 followed by Vince Momosor with 6.
The Cavaliers won a hard fought third game versus the Bay State Clippers, 52 – 49. The Cavaliers were lead in scoring by Will Waller with 18, Juan Woidtke with 17 and Steve Smutak with 11. Waller also collected his first double-double by grabbing 10 boards.
The Cavaliers clinched the number 1 seed in their pool by beating Scranton by a score of 48 – 23. Will Waller lead the Cavaliers with 14 points and Dan Currans was second with 10. Steve Smutak and Dan Lemmer chipped in 7 and 6 points respectively.
In bracket play the Cavaliers matched up with the Connecticut Spokebenders in the semifinals. The Cavaliers took a double digit lead early in the game and held on to win the game, and earn a trip to the championship, 41 – 34. The Cavaliers were lead in scoring by Juan Woidtke with 17 points and Will Waller with 16 points.
In the Championship Game, the Cavaliers suffered their first defeat in Division 3 basketball losing to the Celtics by a score of 43 - 29. The Cavaliers were lead in scoring by Will Waller with 10 points, Steve Smutak with 9 and Juan Woidtke with 8. Waller also lead the Cavaliers on the boards with 8.
Waller was named to the 10th Annual New York City Mayor’s Cup All Tournament Team.
While visiting New York, the Wheelchair Cavaliers played an additional game versus the Championship Division New York Knicks. The Cavaliers dropped their second game of the season by a score of 55 – 42. The Cavaliers were lead in scoring by Will Waller with 18 points and Juan Woidtke with 12 points. Waller lead the team in rebounding with 8 with Woidtke grabbing 5.
The Cavaliers current record is 5 – 2 and will return to action November 7 & 8 when they compete in the Buckeye Paralyzed Veterans of America Cup in Columbus.