The Middletown Cavaliers stunned the No. 2 team in the state, the Sanford Warriors as the school honored the back-to-back 2004-05 basketball state championship teams. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 53-51 handing them their second consecutive loss. 

Sanford had been No. 1 for several consecutive weeks before losing last week to Salesianum and now falling to Middletown. The Cavaliers came out hot in the first quarter taking a 14-3 first quarter lead, but the Warriors were able to force some turnovers that they converted to points. They were able to close the gap as they brought the lead down to six to end the first half 28-22. 

At halftime the Cavaliers honored the 2005 state championship team who was led by coach Chuck Robinson. The 2005 team went 22-1 in the 05 season as they defeated Caravel in the state championship. In a halftime interview coach Robinson was asked what he remembered about that championship game he said “I just remember the nine turnovers in the first quarter.” That gave everyone on the broadcast a good laugh. 

The Cavaliers were able to fend off the No. 2 ranked team holding a two point lead after three quarters. The Warriors were able to take a lead for the first time early in the fourth quarter on an old-fashioned three point play by Jayden Taylor 37-36. However the resilient Cavaliers were able to take the lead back and hold on for a much needed win for Middletown. 

The Cavaliers were led by guard Kaleb Ra’Ifa who led all scorers with 17 points. Jaelen Murphy and King Savior each added 10 points a piece to give the Cavaliers three players in double figures. A’Zir Ellegood and Dwayne Jones each had 12 points a piece for Sanford.