PORTALES, N.M. – The alarm clock for the Cleveland Storm defense went off about 1:30 p.m. last Friday.
After performing sluggishly throughout pool play at the Eastern New Mexico 7-on-7 passing league, Cleveland roared to life in the single elimination playoff. Starting as the No. 6 seed, the Storm won three straight games and drove home to Rio Rancho with the A Division title.
“We didn’t play well in (pool play) and we learned a lot of things,” Cleveland coach Heath Ridenour said. “Our goal was to get better. Watching us bounce back after playing as badly as we did at times (in pool play) and winning the whole thing, I’m proud of our kids.”