The weekend of November 21st and 22nd the CAVS 10U played in the California Heat Thanksgiving Tournament, and came away with their first championship of the new season.  First up for the CAVS was the Simi Valley Cagers.  The CAVS were led by guards Jalen Bolden and Elijah Walker.  The guards played superior pressure defense and pushed the ball on offense.  In the post Mike Irving, Chasen Pender, and Austin Olsen were a force to be reckoned with.  The CAVS seemed to come away with every rebound and loose ball.  Kyle Fisher hit some open jumpers from the outside and forced multiple turnovers.  The CAVS cruised to an easy 45 – 19 victory.

Next up for the CAVS 10U was the Hoopraiders.  The CAVS played stellar team defense.  Grant Drgosch and Hunter Barry both forced turnovers that led to easy baskets for their teammates.  Khari Osborne-Roddy provided a spark off the bench as he provided great defense and scoring.  The CAVS built up a 24 -10 lead at halftime.  In the second half, the CAVS kept the pace of the game fast, and increased their lead.  Jalen and Elijah continued to push the ball up the court for easy lay ups.  The overall team defense was swarming the court for the ball.  The Hoopraiders found it difficult to bring the ball up the court, let alone score against the CAVS.  The CAVS went on to win 41 – 17.

The CAVS 10U were moving on to the championship game.  With two easy wins under their belt, the team was looking forward to bringing home the championship trophy.  The CAVS would face the Monarchs.  The Monarchs were a big team, and matched up in size very well against the CAVS.  The CAVS used their full court press to force the Monarchs in to multiple turnovers.  Mike and Chasen had their hands full as they had to work for position down low to control the Monarch post players.  The CAVS jumped out early and took a 10 point lead.  The CAVS continued to force the Monarchs to turn the ball over.  At halftime, the CAVS held a comfortable 19 – 6 lead.  In the second half, the CAVS would use their full court press to continue to pressure the Monarch guards.  Anthony Spann and Hazim Amirali both came in off the bench to make great defensive plays.  The CAVS went on to win convincingly 36 – 15.  Congratulations to the team for a great championship. 

A new basketball season has begun, and the CAVS 11U headed up the coastline to Santa Barbarato participate in the Ventura Heat Fall Classic November 14th and 15th.   With some of its players still returning from the Fall football season, it was going to be a challenge to see how the team would fare.  The CAVS would not have it easy, as they faced the California Heat in the very first game.  These two teams have played each other in some tough fought games in the past year.  If the CAVS were rusty, they didn’t show it.  They jumped out to a quick 10 point lead behind some pristine defense which led to easy lay ups by DJ McDonald and Elijah Walker.  But slowly the Heat tried to peck away at the lead.  The CAVS guards continued to dominate the game as Brian Devereaux and Kyle Fisher both scored on open shots.  Mike Irving, Chasen Pender and Colden Davis controlled the rebounding for the CAVS.  The team took a comfortable 23 – 11 lead in to half time.  In the 2nd half the CAVS were plagued with foul trouble.  The game was physical and unfortunately most of the fouls were being called against the CAVS.  With 11 minutes left in the 2nd half, the Heat only trailed 29 – 21.  The Heat continued to apply a full court press.  The CAVS struggled to find any offensive rhythm.  With 5 minutes left in the game, the Heat tied the game 28 – 28.  After the Heat tied the game, the CAVS regained their composure.  The CAVS scored on some easy fast break lay ups and never looked back.  They went on to win 46 – 34.

Next up for the CAVS was the Ventura Heat.  The CAVS used their full court press to force turnovers.  Austin Olsen and Myles Marchand both made stellar defensive plays that led to scores.  The CAVS held an 11 – 4 lead early.  As the team continued to force the Heat to turn the ball over, they built a 31- 15 lead at halftime.  The CAVS guards continued to dominate the game as they cruised to a 43 – 23 win.

On the final day of the tournament, the CAVS matched up against the Thousand Oaks Knights.  Very simply, the CAVS needed to win to clinch the tournament championship.  The team would not disappoint.  The CAVS jumped ahead early behind DJ’s open jump shots.  The Knights were out-manned as the guards could not handle the defensive pressure.  The CAVS dominated the first half and held a 32 – 6 lead at halftime.  In the second half, Kyle and Elijah also scored after forcing a turnover.  Mike and Chasen were able to control the post, and were able to control most of the rebounds.  The CAVS cruised to a 40 -10 victory.  Congratulations CAVS 11U for their first victory of the season.

The weekend of November 21st and 22nd the CAVS 11U participated in the 2nd Annual California Heat Thanksgiving Classic.  First up for the CAVS were the Burbank Raptors.  The CAVS were playing with a smaller amount of players than usual, but with the players they did have they jumped ahead on the Raptors early.  The CAVS stifled the Raptors with their defense, which led to easy lay ups.  DJ Mc Donald and Brian Deveraux forced turnovers and drove straight to the basket with the ball.  Midway through the first half the CAVS 11U were up 11 – 0.  Mike Irving and Colden Davis controlled the rebounds and also scored in the post.  At halftime, the CAVS had a comfortable lead at 19 – 3.  The CAVS would dominate the second half as guards Skyler Barry and Elijah Walker also scored often from the field.  The CAVS would cruise to a 32 – 12 victory.

The CAVS 11U would then face the Jammers.  The Jammers proved to a speedy team, and were able to keep up with the team speed of the CAVS.  The CAVS played tough full court defense on the Jammers forcing multiple turnovers.  DJ and Kyle Fisher scored on open jump shots, while Elijah and Brian scored on drives to the basket.  At halftime, the CAVS led 21 – 8.  In the second half, Myles Marchand scored several baskets and made some outstanding passes for assists.  The CAVS defense continued to cause problems for the Jammers guards.  The turnovers by the Jammers led to easy baskets for the CAVS.  The CAVS went on to win 50 – 20.

The CAVS 11U were headed to another championship game.  The team would face their rival, California Heat.  These two teams have faced each other in several championship games, and this game would be as close as the previous ones.  The Heat jumped out quickly 7 - 2, as the CAVS had a few turnovers early in the game.  But the CAVS then got in to the rhythm of the game.  DJ help control the pace of the game, as the CAVS point guard worked to get his team back in to the game.  The CAVS were having a hard time scoring, but the defense was preventing the Heat from scoring as well.  At halftime, the CAVS found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they trailed to the Heat 14 – 9.

The CAVS would not disappoint and came out in the 2nd half ready to attack.  Within a few minutes, the CAVS cut the Head lead to 15 – 18.  DJ and newcomer Brandon tried to keep the CAVS in the game as each hit big buckets.  On defense, Colden and Myles played tough down low and attempted to grab every rebound that came their way.  With 3 minutes left in the game, the CAVS still trailed 22 – 27.  The CAVS did not give up, but they knew they were running out of time.  Brian and DJ scored for the CAVS, and the team continued to play staunch defense.  With only 55 seconds left, the CAVS only trailed by 2 points, 27 – 29.  Unfortunately, the officiating started to influence the game.  A technical foul was called against the CAVS bench, which sent the Heat to the free throw line.  The CAVS trailed by 3 points with 20 seconds left.  There would only be one last chance.  Coming out of the time out the CAVS were not able to execute the play they wanted.  The ball went back to the Heat, and the CAVS were forced to foul.  The Heat went on to win the tournament 29 – 33.  These two teams played another fantastic championship game.  We look forward to winning the next one.