The Independence Blue Devils Boys basketball team experienced a night to remember on January 26, 2026, as they traveled downtown to Rocket Arena to take on the Normandy Invaders. The game marked the first time in school history that Independence played on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ home court, turning a regular-season matchup into a historic moment for the program.
Head coach Matt Grendel explained what made this opportunity so special.
“This experience was different because it was the first time for this group of players to have the opportunity to play at Rocket Arena,” Grendel said. “It is a unique experience for kids and hopefully a positive memory that they will have from their high school playing days.”
Organizing the trip was not without its challenges. Winter weather created uncertainty leading up to the game, and coordinating communication between multiple groups added another layer of difficulty.
“One of the main challenges was dealing with the winter weather that we had during the time and communicating with all the different people involved with making the trip still happen,” Grendel said. “I am thankful we had the opportunity to still make this trip happen.”
Principal Mike Janatovich emphasized how meaningful the experience was for the students involved.
“From an administrative perspective, this was an awesome opportunity for the team,” Janatovich said. “Being able to play on the Rocket Arena Cavs court will be something that students will never forget.”
Janatovich also highlighted that the trip went beyond just playing a basketball game.
“I loved that in addition to playing the game, the team did team-building activities by going out to dinner and then attending the Cavs game,” he said. “As an administrator, I am all about creating experiences for kids, and this was a special one for the basketball team.”
On the court, the game against Normandy was tightly contested throughout all four quarters. Despite a strong effort from the Blue Devils, Normandy came away with the victory. Independence saw contributions from Bobby Jackson, Liam Rienerth, Matty Jirmasek, Jakob Jurkiewicz, Anderson Jolliffe, Levi Sears, Max Digeronimo, Kam Grendel, and Jakob Dobrowski.
Following the game, the reserve, junior varsity, and varsity teams, along with the junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders, gathered for a team dinner at Southern Tier Brewing Company as part of the night’s events.
The group then returned to Rocket Arena to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Orlando Magic, 114–98. A Cavs win helped cap off the night and added another memorable moment to Independence’s first-ever visit to the arena.
While the final score of the Blue Devils’ game did not go their way, the experience itself was a victory. Playing on an NBA court, bonding as a team, and sharing the moment together made January 26, 2026, a night that will not soon be forgotten by Independence basketball.
