Back in November 2009, the CAVS 11U won the CA Heat Thanksgiving Tournament.  So as an added bonus from winning that tournament, the CAVS headed to Staples Centerto play a game in the same arena where Kobe Bryant and the Lakers take the court.  The CAVS would face the CA Heat and it is always a good game when these two teams face each other.  The CA Heat took an early 9 – 4 lead, as the CAVS struggled a little bit to warm-up.  It wouldn’t take long for the CAVS to start heating-up.  Kihei Clark and DJ McDonald led the way as they scored lay-ups early in the game.  Taj Regans and Brian Deveraux hit some open jump shots and the CAVS were right back in the game.  At halftime the CAVS trailed 14 – 16.

It is unusual for the CAVS offense to have such a low scoring half and the entire team knew it was just a matter of time before they gained the lead.  The CAVS 11U started the second half with a vengeance.  The full court pressure by the CAVS defense forced multiple turnovers which resulted in easy baskets.  Within a few minutes, the CAVS took a 22 – 19 lead and never looked back.  Mike Irving and Colden Davis both scored lay-ups.  Kyle Fisher and Isaiah Roby played stellar defense coming in off the bench. With only 5 minutes left, the CAVS held a comfortable 32 – 21 lead.  The CAVS defense got lackadaisical at the end of the game, but the CAVS went on to beat the Heat by a score of 38 – 33. 

                                     

The CAVS 11U were hoping to fine tune their game in time for the Las Vegas Easter Classic Tournament.  The CAVS headed to the HAX Centerto play in the ACES Spring Showcase March 27th and 28th.  The first game for the CAVS 11U was against 5onfive Basketball.  The CAVS started the game quickly and used their stifling defense to force multiple turnovers which led to easy lay-ups.  DJ McDonald, Taj Regans and Brian Deveraux all scored on lay-ups.  The CAVS full-court press was firing on all cylinders as 5onfive had to work to just to get ball past half-court.  On offense, the other CAVS guards also got into the scoring column.  Elijah Walker and Kihei Clark all scored from the perimeter with their sharp shooting.  At halftime, the CAVS held a comfortable 28 – 9 lead.  In the second half, the CAVS defense kept the pressure on the 5onfive offense.  Mike Irving and Chasen Pender scored easy lay-ups down low.  The defense was stingy and only gave up 6 additional points in the second half.  The CAVS went on to win 43 – 15.

The second game for the CAVS was against HAX.  The CAVS used this game to work specific plays and offensive sets.  DJ and Kihei scored from the perimeter.  Dallas Johnson and Jordan Wilder also got into the scoring act the second half.  At halftime the CAVS held a comfortable 22 - 5 lead.  In the second half, Isaiah Roby and Elijah started working themselves into the offense.  Colden Davis and Kyle Fisher also scored when their opportunity came.  The CAVS cruised to a 44 – 6 victory.  The CAVS finished off pool play by facing the Burbank Raptors.  The CAVS started the game slowly.  As the game progressed, DJ, Brian and Kihei worked the offense and got themselves some open shots.  Dallas, Chasen and Mike battled in the post.  The game was close in the first half as the CAVS lead was still single digits.  In the second half the CAVS would break open the game.  The CAVS went on to win 56 – 39.

The CAVS had reached the championship and were facing a tough team, the Las Vegas Rebels.  The Rebels were looking for revenge.  The last time these teams faced each other, the CAVS beat the Rebels at the SGV Invitational.  The CAVS started the game very slowly and made some early costly errors.  The Rebels jumped out to an early 13 – 4 lead.  The CAVS would not give up.  DJ and Kihei were hoping to connect on some of their shots to cut the lead, but their shots weren’t falling.  At halftime, the CAVS trailed 17 – 22.  As the second half started, the CAVS started pressing full-court in the hopes of getting some easy baskets.  The Rebels were fast, and the Rebels were using their fast break to pull ahead even further.  The CAVS do not give up, and the players were trying to get their defense to jump start their offense.  It started to work as the CAVS got a few turnovers, and the CAVS cut the lead to 32 – 35 midway through the quarter.  For the next few minutes the teams traded baskets, and the CAVS were having a difficult time sinking their shots.  With only 2 minutes left, the Rebels still led 51 – 46.  The CAVS kept fighting, and with 53 seconds left, DJ hit another 3 pointer to give the CAVS their first lead of the second half.  The CAVS were now leading 52 – 51.  The team was desperate for a defensive stop, but the CAVS made some costly mistakes and gave up a 3pointer to the Rebels with 23 seconds left.  The Rebels now led 54- 52.  The CAVS had the ball on offense, but could not covert.  The CAVS went on to lose 52 – 57.  It was a disappointing loss but now the team will re-group and get ready for the Las Vegas Easter Class Tournament.  GO CAVS!!