The CAVS 11U participated in the SE Warriors/ SP Knights “Cinco de Mayo” basketball tournament May 15th and 16th.  The CAVS would have to be ready for the challenge as the team was playing in the 12U division.  The CAVS opened pool play against SGV.  The CAVS started the game quickly.   DJ McDonald and Brian Deveraux hit open shots early as the CAVS used their full court press to force turnovers.  The CAVS jumped ahead early 8 -2 as the defense led the way.  Taj Regans and Elijah Walker pushed the ball up the court to force the tempo of the game. Remy scored on some open shots from the field, and at halftime the CAVS led 19 – 4.  The second half was riddled with turnovers and fouls, as both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm.  In the end, the CAVS went on to win 32 – 19.

The next opponent for the CAVS was Desert Storm.  Desert Storm was a big team and the CAVS would need to work tirelessly to offset the Storm’s size advantage.  DJ led the way as he opened the game with some open shots.  Remy and Kihei Clark drove to the basket to get the Desert Storm’s post players in foul trouble.  Midway through the first half, the CAVS jumped out to a 9 – 3 lead.  Sharp shooting helped push the CAVS lead to 14- 6 at halftime.  As the second half started, the CAVS used their full court press to force multiple turnovers.  Taj and Brian both hit open shots off of turnovers.  Halfway through the second half, the CAVS built up a 25 – 8 lead.  The CAVS began getting into foul trouble and some mental mistakes caused the big lead to slip away.  The CAVS won the game 28 – 20.

The CAVS finished as the number one seed and were looking forward to the playoffs.  The CAVS faced the ACES in the opening playoff game.  The CAVS started the game with tenacious defense.  The CAVS were outsized but made up for it with speed and quickness.  The CAVS forced multiple turnovers and jumped out to an 11 – 4 lead.  Off the bench, Franklin and Colden Davis provided solid defense, which led to easy scores.  At halftime the CAVS led 31 – 19.  In the second half, the CAVS started strongly but the game turned into a foul fest.  With 5 minutes left in the game, the CAVS had 3 players foul out.  The ACES were not giving up and were fighting their way back into the game.  When Chasen fouled out of the game, the CAVS did not have a lot of size to match up evenly against the ACES.  With 5 minutes left, the CAVS clung to a 37 – 33 lead.  The CAVS kept their composure.  DJ kept the ball in his hands, and the ACES were forced to foul him.  DJ knocked down some big free throws.  The ACES were also in foul trouble and were playing with less than 5 players.  The CAVS went on to win 45 – 40.

The CAVS needed one more victory against SGV to make it to the championship.  The CAVS had already beaten SGV the previous day and were looking for a much more competitive game the second time around.  SGV was ready for the CAVS game plan this time.  The SGV players were much bigger down low and their post players were grabbing every rebound.  Midway through the first half, the CAVS trailed 11 – 12.  The CAVS kept fighting as Elijah and Taj both hit some open shots to regain the lead.  At halftime the CAVS led 23 -2 0.  In the second half, the CAVS defense was very stingy.  Remy and Franklin pushed the ball up the court after every rebound.  The CAVS went on to win 39 – 32.

The team had earned their place in the championship game to face the Santa Ana Mountaineers.  The Mountaineers had several large players that the CAVS would have to defend against.  The CAVS used their speed and pressed full court.  The Mountaineers could not handle the pressure and had multiple turnovers.  Midway through the first half the CAVS led 12 – 9.  The CAVS kept the pressure up as the guards pressured on the perimeter.  Down low, Chasen Pender and Cody Hamlin tried to disrupt the tall post players as much as possible.  At halftime, the CAVS had built a 27 – 15 lead.  In the second half, the CAVS continued to press full court.  The CAVS guards were relentless.  For a few minutes, the Mountaineers could not get the ball past half court.  The Mountaineers were still within striking distance as the CAVS only led 38 – 27 with 6 minutes left in the game.  The CAVS guards continued to penetrate and drive to the basket to get the Mountaineers in foul trouble.  The Mountaineers were not giving up and continued to get easy lay-ups.  Behind their leader DJ, the CAVS regained their composure.  The defense tightened up and the CAVS went on to win 48 – 41.  Congratulations CAVS on a great championship.