WE-R1 poses with the Southern Jam Fest trophy (Photo: Jason Jordan, USA TODAY Sports)
HAMPTON, Va. – Even though WE-R1 (Del.) has managed to open the spring circuit season on a dominant note, posing a 7-1 record in the competitive Under Armour Association, Trevon Duval and Eric Ayala were admittedly beginning to grow a bit restless.
“It’s cool playing, but it’s a little different when you’re playing for a championship,” Duval said. “We wanted a trophy.”
Ayala scored 34 points in a 75-65 win against Team Loaded VA in the Southern Jam Fest title game Sunday at the Boo Williams Sportsplex to make sure they left with the hardware.
“This was my first championship since like the eighth grade,” Ayala said. “I’m definitely gonna enjoy it. It’s big because of the way we won.”
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Duval left two minutes into the game suffering from dehydration that led to severe leg cramps after an acrobatic layup.
“The trainer said if he kept playing he’d end up in the hospital because he’d need an I.V.,” WE-R1 coach James Johns said. “I just told the guys it was time to step up. Trey got you here now finish it. I knew they’d respond.”
Ayala certainly got the memo.
He drained six three-pointers and scored 21 points to give WE-R1 a commanding 48-31 halftime lead over Team Loaded VA.
“First, I had to make sure Trey was good,” Ayala said. “He’s my brother first so that’s important to me. When I saw he was OK, I knew it was time to go to work. I wasn’t gonna let us lose.”
WE-R1 kept the onslaught rolling in the second half, swelling the lead to as many as 22 early on demoralizing dunks like Talek Williams’ 360, two-handed jam that sent the Boo Eilliams Sportsplex into a state of pandemonium.
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Team Loaded VA went on a three-point draining barrage of its own late and even cut the lead to six, but Ayala and Co. converted at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win.
“This was the perfect way to win because we all pulled together to get it done,” said Duval, who averaged 22 points and eight assists at the Southern Jam Fest this weekend. “That’s just how this team is; I went down and we didn’t miss a beat.
“I think this will help us a lot going forward when we’re playing for the Under Armour title later this summer”
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY