The fourth annual Cal Storm “War on the Wood” attracted 45 talented teams from Southern California, San Diego, Northern California, and Arizona. The event offered 7 divisions with both bracket and pool play.
In Prospects Division (4th Grade):
The play was fast and furious as the teams battled hard in each of their 3 games. In the championship game the Cal Storm Cyclones outlasted a tough and gritty North Stars program to walk away with the title.
Rising Star 5th Grades:
he division saw two teams really dominate their pools to meet in the final. The San Diego Saberbulls mowed their way through the pool, with their pressure and athleticism. While in the other pool we saw the size and patience of the Pali Waves 11U lead them to the championship game. The championship game was the speed of the Saberbulls that outran the Pali Waves and ultimately to the division championship.
The 6th Grade Beast Mode Division:
The division was a showcase for the Fresno Lady Heat. They were a cut above the other teams in the division this weekend and really were very impressive with their size and speed. They used their depth to pull away from teams in the second half of games.
The 6th Grade Phenoms:
There were two teams that really stood out in this grouping. The LA Sparkles with their precision passing and press, gave fits to the other teams in their pool as they went 2-0 on Saturday and a birth into the championship game. The San Diego Saberbulls in the other pool used superior height and attacking the glass to power their way to a 2-0 record while being pushed by SoCal shooters. In a highly anticipated championship showdown, the inside game of the taller San Diego Sabers were able to neutralize the speed of the LA Sparkles.
The 7th Grade Ballers:
In this bracket play we saw several team really standout. Again the Fresno Lady Heat had it rolling in the first game but ran into a very good WCP Lead Athletics from Arizona. In a close game, WCP Lead Athletics were able to hold off the Fresno Lady Heat to game a birth in the championship game. On the other side of the bracket TVT 7 used deadly 3 point shooting and precision execution to advance to the championship game. In the championship game, WCP Lead Athletics were just too much for the The Valley Team and won a hard fought battle.
The 8th Grade All-Stars:
The division offered the most entertaining games on Sunday with all game coming down to the very end, including an overtime game. The two teams in the championship, were the perennial powerhouse SGV and the well respected San Diego Waves. Throughout the bracket play the SD waves swept away the competition and the SGV powerhouse SGV out executed their opponents, thus making a much anticipated matchup in the final. The buzz pregame was that the early favorite was San Diego Waves, but while the start of the game started in favor of the SD Waves, the patience proud SGV team keep chipping away at the lead and caught the Waves with 1:30 left in the game. After falling behind briefly by a point, the SD Waves stellar player Te-Hina Paopao and tournament most valuable player, converted a layup and the free throw. She iced the game with 2 free throws. One of the most entertaining games of the day.
The Exhibition:
To exhibition game between the San Diego Waves and Cal Storm Black 14 saw a huge coming out party for Cal Storm player Kim Villalobos. Cal Storm Black dominated the game but it was the play of Kim Villalobos that stood out on a team of outstanding players. She was all over the court deflecting passes and grabbing rebounds and going coast to coast for the easy buckets.
The 8th Grade Blue-Chippers
The road to the championship featured rivalry games and hard fought battles as the team competed to see who would face the host Cal Storm 14 Black. In the semifinal of the 2nd seeded Fusion team and the 3rd seeded SGV 8 blue. The game was hotly contested as both teams battled hard in the first half, with Fusion taking a 12 point lead. SGV battled back in the 2nd half but Fusion was too much in the end. In the final, the Cal Storm Black lived up to their hype and dominated a gritty and outsized Fusion team. The depth and guard play of the Cal Storm took over the game. Cal Storm Team was lead by the outstanding guard play of Vanessa DeJesus , Alexis Whitfield and Asia Avinger
