The CAVS 10U headed back to Palm Springs May 1-3, 2009 to defend their title at the 17th Annual Sixers Palm Springs Basketball Bonanza.  Although the team has added some new players this year, the core group from the previous years' CAVS 9U still remain.  The team set out to defend their title and bring home the championship for the second consecutive year.

The CAVS opened up the tournament against WCA.  The CAVS started the game methodically taking an 8-0 lead after the 1st quarter.  The CAVS had balanced scoring as DJ McDonald hit wide open jumpers from the outside and Mike Irving and Maurice Walton scored easy lay-ups from down low.  the CAVS took a 16-4 lead into halftime.  In the 2nd half, WCA tried to cut into the lead by having some additional players from one of their other teams enter the game.  The CAVS were over-matched in size, but the CAVS overpowering defense was the difference in the game.  The CAVS won 30-9.

The CAVS next game would be against the MP Heat.  Once again, the CAVS defensive pressure was too much for their opponent.  The pressure defense by Brian Devereaux, Jordan Hunt and DJ McDonald resulted in countless easy lay-ups.  The defense continued to use a full-court press on the Heat.  The CAVS built a 31-0 lead at halftime.  In the 2nd half, the CAVS started to work on their half-court offense.  The CAVS worked their high-low game to perfection.  Maurice Walton, Chasen Pender, Mike Irving and Colden Davis all scored baskets down low.  The CAVS finished with a 62-8 victory.

The final game in pool play for the CAVS was Team Arizona.  The CAVS used their full-court press to score easy lay-ups.  Elijah Walker and Skyler Barry harassed the Team AZ guards into several turnovers.  Kyle Fisher was everywhere on the court diving for every loose ball.  The CAVS took a 24-6 lead into halftime.  In the 2nd half, the CAVS continued to score from all over the court.  Myles Marchand, Elijah Walker and DJ McDonald all scored on long jump shots.  The CAVS finished pool play undefeated with a 50-8 victory.

Just as the CAVS 10U have been taught by their coaches, their team defense is the difference with this young team.  They entered the tournament playoffs undefeated and have only allowed 25 points over 3 games.  That speaks volumes by itself.  The CAVS matched-up against the tournament host team, the Long Beach Sixers.  The Sixers matched-up with the CAVS in terms of height and size.  The CAVS had too much speed for the Sixers.  The quickness of guards DJ McDonald, Brian Devereaux, Elijah Walker and Jordan Hunt overwhelmed the Sixers.  The CAVS built a 29-6 lead behind their captain DJ McDonald, who scored on multiple drives to the basket.  The CAVS defense would only allow 4 additional points.  The CAVS moved onto the championship with a 42-10 win.

The championship game would be a rematch of last year's teams.  The CAVS 10U would face All City.  These two teams played each other several times last year.  Every game turned out to be a very tightly contested battle.  Coach Darryl McDonald was anxious to see how much improvement his team has made over the past year.   As All City gathered at half-court for the pre-game chant, Coach Darryl gathered his players and prepared them for the game.  The CAVS started off with a tenacious full-court press that confused All City.  DJ and Skyler all scored quick easy lay-ups to start the game.  All City went several minutes without being able to get the ball past half-court.  After the 1st quarter, the CAVS held a 13-5 lead.  The CAVS sent in their first group of players off the bench and they continued the tenacious defensive pressure.  Maurice Walton took advantage of his height and scored easy lay-ups in the paint.  But even with this effort, the CAVS held only a 23-9 lead at halftime.  The CAVS didn't expect All City to give up.  the teams exchanged baskets during the beginning of the 3rd quarter.  But after Brian and DJ both scored on open drives to the basket, the CAVS took a 32-13 lead into the 4th quarter.  All City still wasn't ready to concede to the CAVS.  They battled back and forced the CAVS into some turnovers.  All City scored on a few baskets and started to cut the lead.  DJ took the game over.  He got the ball to his open teammates and the CAVS built their lead up to over 20 points.  The CAVS successfully defended their championship with a 41-19 victory.  The tournament was a great all around team effort by all the players.  Congratulations CAVS 10U.