The Lake Travis boys basketball team made sure its holiday season was a joyous one.

Sparked in part by the addition of two players off of the school’s football team, the Cavaliers swept four games at Kerrville Tivy’s Invitational and now stand 19-3 on the season heading into the new year.

The tournament began with a 56-55 win over St. Michael’s, then saw the team run past Big Spring in convincing fashion 58-39. A 59-41 win over San Antonio Sam Houston followed, and the Cavs wrapped up the title with a 63-42 win over Vista Ridge.

“We really hoped that we’d get a chance to play Kerrville Tivy,” Cavalier coach Jan Jernberg said, “but the brackets didn’t set up that way. They are a good team, and I wanted to use that game as a measuring stick for our progress.”

Even without a battle against the Antlers, the Cavaliers made the most of their games, getting three convincing wins and one they may not have deserved.

Against St. Michael’s the Cavaliers used a big third quarter to overcome a halftime deficit. The Crusaders led 55-54 when LT’s Chris Dash was fouled with 18 seconds left rebounding a missed free throw. Dash made both foul shots to give the Cavaliers a 56-55 lead, and the team survived a last-second miss by the Crusaders.

“We’ve played St. Michael’s in each of the last two seasons, and they’ve really outplayed us,” Jernberg said. “All we’ve won against them has been the games.”

Zach Karczewski scored a game-high 24 points to lead the effort, and Cole Vucurevich added 13.

A fast start to each half helped the Cavaliers gain and maintain control over Big Spring.

“We jumped on them quickly and cruised home,” Jernberg said.

The Cavaliers led 19-8 after the opening quarter and 48-27 after three quarters to cruise. Karczewski led the way with 14 points, Dash scored 13 and Vucurevich added 10.

The team used a balanced attack to pull away from Sam Houston, a 3A team that was a 4A playoff team as recently as a few years ago, Jernberg said. Despite a 6-9 record, Sam Houston is ranked 22nd in the state’s 3A poll, according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

“They were missing one of their better players, but we played very well,” Jernberg said. “Everyone got into the game, [which was a good chance to work on our depth].

In the final game against Vista Ridge, Robert Carlton added a spark with 15 points off the bench, connecting on four of five three point attempts. Karczewski led the way with 16 points and Vucurevich  added 13.

“Vista Ridge is a very good team, and I didn’t think we’d beat them like we did,” Jernberg said. “It’s really ironic the way the tournament worked out. St. Michael’s played Vista Ridge a few weeks ago, and Vista Ridge beat them by about 20.”

On Monday, Lake Travis dispatched Smithville with relative ease, coasting home after a fast start for an 82-49 win. The Cavaliers led 25-9 after one quarter and never looked back. Four players scored in double figures, led by Billy Sherakas’ 18. Karczewski scored 17, Vucurevich scored 14 and David Eads added 12 along with a plethora of assists.

The wins improved the team’s record to 19-3. The Cavs are ranked seventh in the latest TABC rankings. Kerrville Tivy is ranked sixth.

Following the tournament, Jernberg said the Cavaliers are almost exactly where he hoped they’d be as District 25-4A play approaches.

“We’re right where we want to be at this point,” he said. “Our tournaments are behind us. We’re pretty healthy. And with our football players coming back, we get a chance to improve our depth.”

The Cavaliers welcomed back Trevor Gillette and Griffin Gilbert, both of whom started on the Cavaliers’ state championship football team and saw varsity basketball action last season. Gillette was a reserve throughout the season as a junior and Gilbert, a 6-foot 5-inch sophomore, was added to the varsity roster as a freshman to provide post depth for a playoff run that reached the Region IV championship game.

“Trevor gives us another big body,” Jernberg said, “and he’s really improved from last year. Griffin will evolve into our sixth man as he gets back into the swing of basketball. Of course, he sprained his ankle six minutes into the first tournament game, but he’ll be ready in the new year.”

Gilbert was indeed ready and scored a varsity-best nine points against Smithville on Monday.

In addition to their individual talents, Gilbert and Gillette will help tremendously in the depth department. Jernberg has spent the first 21 games of the season playing primarily with an 8-player rotation. Playing a physical style, the Cavaliers often find themselves in foul trouble, and the two bodies – and 10 fouls – will go a long way.

“We’re very aggressive and susceptible to foul trouble, so the guys will help with that as well,” Jernberg said. “We have to start setting up our rotation, and getting the football guys back into basketball mode.”

The Cavaliers have 11 days between games. They’ll open up District 25-4A play on Jan. 15 against Lampasas.