The CAVS held their annual “Free Throw-A-Thon” on Sunday, November 22, 2009.  This fundraiser is a great chance to integrate basketball and some healthy competition amongst players.  Each player had to shoot 100 free throws in sets of 10.  The battle was on to find out who would make the most free throws.  Congratulations to DJ McDonald who was the overall winner amongst players.  DJ made an astounding 91 free throws.  The other top shooters were Elijah Walker (69), Chasen Pender (66), and Colden Davis (64).  It was excellent work by our top 4 shooters. Not to be out done by any of his players, Coach Darryl picked up the basketball and started shooting his 100 free throws.  It was truly an astonishing sight as Coach Darryl McDonald made 71 consecutive free throws, to finish with 96 out 100.  The CAVS players will definitely need to keep practicing if they expect to outshoot their coach.

There were opportunities throughout the afternoon for players to win giveaways.  Coach Darryl had numerous pairs of Adidas basketball shoes to give away.  One by one he selected kids to step up and sink a shot for a pair of shoes.  There were a lot of smiling players leaving the gym at the end of the afternoon with a box of shiny new shoes tucked under their arm.

It was a fun day in the gym for parents and players alike.  We look forward to doing it again next year.

Thank you to all the players who participated:

Anthony Spann             Blake Jackson                          Bryce Wigton

Cameron Nale             Chasen Pender                        Cody Hamlin

Colden Davis                DJ McDonald                            Elijah Walker

Gavin Hartoonian         Haazim Amirali                         Hunter Berry

Justin Davis                   Mike Irving                                 Myles Marchand

Ryan Asgarian               Skyler Berry

   

The CAVS 11U were looking forward to continuing their winning streak during the Holiday Classic December 5th and 6th.  The team started pool play against the Courtside Hoops White team.  The CAVS started the game at a fast pace.  DJ McDonald started the offensive spurt for the CAVS.  Teammates Brian Deveraux and Kyle Fisher soon joined in, as they scored on open looks at the basket.  The Courtside Hoops team was not able to handle the CAVS defensive pressure and turned the ball over.  Down low, Mike Irving, Myles Marchand and Colden Davis dominated as they all grabbed rebounds and scored on lay-ups.  The CAVS opened the tournament with an easy 45 – 5 win.

The CAVS then faced the SCV Hoopsters.  Once again DJ McDonald led the way in scoring, and teammates Kyle Fisher and Skyler Barry followed his lead by knocking down open shots.  The two teams exchanged baskets most of the second half, but the CAVS never gave up the lead.  They went on to win 38 -17.  The CAVS finished pool play undefeated and earned the first seed in their pool.

On Sunday, the playoffs started.  The CAVS found themselves facing the Courtside Hoops Blue team.  The CAVS had an easy time the previous day with the other Courtside Hoops team, and this game would not be any different.  Elijah Walker and Isaiah Roby energized the team on defense, as the CAVS pushed the tempo the entire game.  Courtside Hoops could not keep up with the fast pace of the game.  The CAVS went on to an easy 43 – 6 win.  The CAVS had earned a spot in the championship game.

The CAVS opponent would be a team from Northern California, Division One All Stars.  The CAVS had faced this tough opponent at a tournament the previous year.  The championship game would be a rematch for these two teams.  Division One had come out ahead last year, and the CAVS were determined that this tournament would have a different end result.  DJ and Brandon helped the CAVS jump out early in the game 10 – 3.  The lead wouldn’t last long as Division One slowly fought their way back into the game.  The CAVS had to dig in on defense to slow the quick Division one guards. The CAVS found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they trailed at halftime 23 – 20.

As the second half started, the CAVS tried to take advantage of their size down low.  Mike, Myles and Chasen all had scoring opportunities in the post.  The teams continued to trade baskets in the second half, with neither team being able to get a lead of more than a few points.  With less than 3 minutes in the game, the CAVS made their run.  DJ hit a 3 pointer that allowed the CAVS to take the lead.  Division One was also getting into foul trouble.  The CAVS were leading by 5 points when Division One hit a 3 pointer of their own to cut the lead.  With less than 30 seconds, the CAVS were holding on to a 2 point lead.  Division One was forced to foul the CAVS.  DJ sank his free throws, and the CAVS went on to win 46 – 43.  Great job CAVS!!

The CAVS 10U were fresh off their win at the California Heat Thanksgiving Classic, and the team was feeling confident as the CAVS Holiday Classic began on Saturday, December 5.  The CAVS opened pool play against SGV.  The CAVS started the game quickly.  Elijah Walker took control of keeping a fast pace for the game.  Mike Irving and Chasen Pender used their size advantage to their benefit against the smaller SGV team.  They scored easy lay ups down low.  Austin Olsen and Kyle Fisher also got into the flow of the game by hitting open shots.  The CAVS cruised to an easy 33-19 victory.

The next game in pool play was against High Desert Crush.  The CAVS used their team defense to score on easy fast break baskets.  Hunter Barry, Grant Drgosch, and Hazim Amirali had steals as the Crush had trouble handling the CAVS defensive pressure.  The CAVS played as a cohesive unit, and finished pool play undefeated by beating the Crush 37 – 19.

The CAVS began the playoffs on Sunday against the HAX A team.  The CAVS had a huge size advantage against the HAX team.  The CAVS were everywhere on the court, as Khari Osborne-Roddy, Elijah and Kyle had multiple defensive steals and points during the game.  The CAVS went on to win, and the team had another championship in their sight.

The CAVS would face the HAX S team in the championship game.  The CAVS started the game quickly as both Mike and Chasen scored on lay-ups early.  Austinscored off of a turnover, and the CAVS jumped out to a 12 – 5 lead.  The CAVS continued to apply pressure on the HAX guards.  At halftime, the CAVS held a comfortable 29 – 15 lead.  In the second half, the HAX team tried to make a run as the CAVS were riddled with fouls.  With 7 minutes in the game, Mike fouled out.  After he left the game, Grant, Chasen and Austin picked up the slack and fought for loose balls and rebounds.  Kyle Fisher and Elijah were able to take care of the scoring on offense.  In the end, the CAVS prevailed with a 45 – 17 victory.  Congratulations CAVS 10U.