The CAVS 10U headed back to Las VegasJuly 22 – 26, 2009 to play in their final tournament of the travel season.  The team looked forward to bringing home one more championship trophy.  The CAVS opened pool play against Triple Threat Youth Organization (TTYO).  From the opening tip off, the CAVS took control of the game.  TTYO was over-matched as the CAVS took advantage of their size.  Maurice Walton, Chasen Pender, and Mike Irving all scored easy lay-ups down low.  The CAVS pressed full court, and TTYO was not able to handle the pressure.  Skyler Barry, Brian Deveraux, and DJ McDonald all scored off turnovers.  The CAVS 10U quickly raced out to a 38 – 1 lead at halftime.  The rest of the CAVS team got involved with the scoring spree during the second half. The CAVS team defense stifled TTYO.  Triple Threat could not handle the pressure.  The CAVS went on to win easily 55 – 7.

The CAVS then matched up against the Las Vegas Jr. Devils.  The Devils played tough defense against the CAVS.  DJ controlled the tempo of the game and executed the offense.  Chasen and Mike ran the high-low game to perfection.  With 5 minutes until half time, the CAVS only held a 16 – 9 lead.  The CAVS then went on a mini-scoring streak.  DJ led the way as he hit an open jumper and a lay-up.  At halftime the CAVS led 23 – 13.  The size advantage of the CAVS post players began to wear down the Devils.  In the second half, Maurice scored some easy lay-ups off some excellent entry passes into the post by Isaiah Roby and Brian.  The offense continued to score, while the defense continued to force turnovers.  Colden Davis and Elijah Walker came in off the bench to spark the team on offense.  The CAVS went on to win 43 – 19.

The final pool play game for the CAVS was against a local team, the Southeast Warriors.  The CAVS were looking to continue their winning ways and garner the first seed in their pool.  The CAVS guards continued their sharp shooting.  Kyle Fisher, DJ, and Brian all scored early, as the CAVS jumped out to a 17 -1 lead.  The Warriors players tried to keep up with the CAVS guards, but were not successful.  The CAVS continued to force turnovers and score on easy lay-ups.  At halftime, the CAVS led 36 – 5.  In the second half, the CAVS defense began to frustrate the Warriors players.  The CAVS defense did not let up and the team rolled to a 58 – 11 victory.

The playoffs would start with the CAVS in a familiar place, the top seed in their pool.  The first playoff game would be against the Kansas City Celtics.  The Celtics had some big men of their own to match up against Maurice and Chasen.  The teams traded baskets most of the first half.  With only 6 minutes remaining until halftime, the CAVS led by a slim margin 21 – 18.  As they often do, the CAVS went on a scoring run before halftime.  After one of the Celtics players left the game on an injury, DJ began to drive to the basket.  DJ either scored a lay-up or scored on free throws.  Mike and Chasen controlled the rebounds, and the CAVS worked for a 43 – 28 lead at halftime.  In the second half, the Celtics had another player leave the game due to an injury.  The CAVS defense slowly wore down the Celtics.  Kyle and Skyler hit some long range jumpers, and both played staunch defense in the second half.  The CAVS rolled to a 64 – 36 win.

The semifinal game matched the CAVS up against the Southern California All Stars, SCA.  The CAVS started the game very slowly, and the SCA jumped ahead.  The SCA post players scored down low on some easy lay-ups.  Midway through the first half, the CAVS actually trailed 5 – 8.  The SCA guard seemed to have the upper hand for a brief moment, but it didn’t last long.  Behind the sharp shooting of DJ, the CAVS very quickly took back the lead.  DJ scored several 3-pointers, and the SCA players looked helpless as they tried to stop DJ.  Within a few minutes, the CAVS led 29 -17.  In the second half, Maurice took control down low.  He scored on numerous lay-ups and controlled the rebounds.  DJ continued his sharp shooting in the second half.  DJ’s sharp shooting appeared to be contagious as the remainder of the CAVS team seemed to score at will.  The CAVS went on to win 57 – 37.

The CAVS 10U earned their way to the championship.  They would match up against the Inland Empire’s Tarheel Nation.  Unexpectedly, the Tarheels started the game quickly and gained the early lead.  Midway through the first half, the Tarheels led 13 – 2.  The CAVS kept working hard and fought their way back into the game.  The first half was riddled with fouls, as the CAVS could not get their high powered offense going.  But the CAVS kept battling back.  DJ scored on a drive to the basket, as did Brian.  After DJ hit some free throws, the CAVS were back in the game.  At halftime, the CAVS battled back, but still trailed 10 – 14.  During the second half, the CAVS kept passing the ball down low to its big men.  The Tarheels big men were beginning to get into foul trouble.  As the Tarheels big man got his 4th foul, the CAVS guards then went to work.  DJ and Brian kept driving to the basket, but with 10 minutes remaining the CAVS still trailed 19 – 22.  The Tarheels began to double team the CAVS guards and force some turnovers.  With 6 minutes left, the Tarheels stretched their lead to 7 points.  DJ desperately tried to get his team back in the game, but the CAVS were held scoreless for a few minutes.  During this time the, Tarheels guards began to heat up.  With 2 minutes left in the game, the CAVS trailed 27 – 41.  The CAVS could not pull out a win, and the Tarheels went on to win 41 – 30.  Although the CAVS did not come away with the championship, it was a great tournament.  Congratulations CAVS.