The CAVS 10U scraped together just enough players to head to Lancaster for the High Desert Crush Summer Spectacular Tournament August 15- 16, 2009. With many of the players preparing for the upcoming tackle football season, the CAVS were definitely playing shorthanded all weekend with just six players. The CAVS started the pool play against MADD Sports. The game started very slowly as the CAVS struggled to find their rhythm. Midway through the first half, the CAVS lead was only 8 – 3. The CAVS used their defense to jump start their offense. DJ McDonald, Elijah Walker and Kyle Fisher all scored after MADD Sports players had turnovers. At halftime, the CAVS led 19 – 3, and cruised on to win 29 – 9.

Next up for the CAVS was the host team, High Desert Crush. The CAVS used their size against the Crush as Mike Irving, Myles Marchand and Colden Davis controlled the ball down low. The CAVS could not get their shots to fall, but they owned all the loose balls and rebounds. At halftime, the CAVS led 10 – 7. In the second half, the Crush were fighting to stay in the game. Midway through the second half, the CAVS led 17 – 14. The CAVS started to take advantage of their team speed and the offense started to run on all cylinders. Kyle and Colden both released off missed shots by the Crush and scored easy fast break baskets. Elijah and DJ also started heating up from the outside. The CAVS ran off with a 33 – 15 victory.

The CAVS matched up against the CA Heat in the championship. The Heat started the game quickly. The guards got down the court quickly and scored some easy lay-ups against the CAVS. The Heat jumped out to an 8 – 2 lead, 7 minutes into the game. The CAVS buckled down on defense to stop all the guard penetration by the Heat. The Heat double and triple teamed DJ. The CAVS players were up to the challenge. The ball was distributed among the other players, and the CAVS fought back and took a 12 – 9 lead at halftime. As the second half started, the CAVS continued to maintain their lead. With about 5 minutes left in the game, the Heat started to come alive. The Heat defense started to force some turnovers, and the guards started pushing the ball to the basket. The Heat cut the CAVS lead to 23- 20. The teams exchanged baskets, and Mike Irving hit some free throws for the CAVS. With 55 seconds left, the CAVS led 28 – 26. The CAVS tried to run the clock out, but the Heat got the ball back and scored. The game was tied with less than 30 seconds left in the game. The Heat was able to get the ball back and score. The CAVS got the ball back trailing 28 – 30 with 6 seconds left. The CAVS in-bounded the ball. DJ got a shot off in desperation, but it fell short. The CAVS lost but it was a good showing with only a minimal amount of players.

The CAVS 10U headed back to Las VegasJuly 22 – 26, 2009 to play in their final tournament of the travel season.  The team looked forward to bringing home one more championship trophy.  The CAVS opened pool play against Triple Threat Youth Organization (TTYO).  From the opening tip off, the CAVS took control of the game.  TTYO was over-matched as the CAVS took advantage of their size.  Maurice Walton, Chasen Pender, and Mike Irving all scored easy lay-ups down low.  The CAVS pressed full court, and TTYO was not able to handle the pressure.  Skyler Barry, Brian Deveraux, and DJ McDonald all scored off turnovers.  The CAVS 10U quickly raced out to a 38 – 1 lead at halftime.  The rest of the CAVS team got involved with the scoring spree during the second half. The CAVS team defense stifled TTYO.  Triple Threat could not handle the pressure.  The CAVS went on to win easily 55 – 7.

The CAVS then matched up against the Las Vegas Jr. Devils.  The Devils played tough defense against the CAVS.  DJ controlled the tempo of the game and executed the offense.  Chasen and Mike ran the high-low game to perfection.  With 5 minutes until half time, the CAVS only held a 16 – 9 lead.  The CAVS then went on a mini-scoring streak.  DJ led the way as he hit an open jumper and a lay-up.  At halftime the CAVS led 23 – 13.  The size advantage of the CAVS post players began to wear down the Devils.  In the second half, Maurice scored some easy lay-ups off some excellent entry passes into the post by Isaiah Roby and Brian.  The offense continued to score, while the defense continued to force turnovers.  Colden Davis and Elijah Walker came in off the bench to spark the team on offense.  The CAVS went on to win 43 – 19.

The final pool play game for the CAVS was against a local team, the Southeast Warriors.  The CAVS were looking to continue their winning ways and garner the first seed in their pool.  The CAVS guards continued their sharp shooting.  Kyle Fisher, DJ, and Brian all scored early, as the CAVS jumped out to a 17 -1 lead.  The Warriors players tried to keep up with the CAVS guards, but were not successful.  The CAVS continued to force turnovers and score on easy lay-ups.  At halftime, the CAVS led 36 – 5.  In the second half, the CAVS defense began to frustrate the Warriors players.  The CAVS defense did not let up and the team rolled to a 58 – 11 victory.

The playoffs would start with the CAVS in a familiar place, the top seed in their pool.  The first playoff game would be against the Kansas City Celtics.  The Celtics had some big men of their own to match up against Maurice and Chasen.  The teams traded baskets most of the first half.  With only 6 minutes remaining until halftime, the CAVS led by a slim margin 21 – 18.  As they often do, the CAVS went on a scoring run before halftime.  After one of the Celtics players left the game on an injury, DJ began to drive to the basket.  DJ either scored a lay-up or scored on free throws.  Mike and Chasen controlled the rebounds, and the CAVS worked for a 43 – 28 lead at halftime.  In the second half, the Celtics had another player leave the game due to an injury.  The CAVS defense slowly wore down the Celtics.  Kyle and Skyler hit some long range jumpers, and both played staunch defense in the second half.  The CAVS rolled to a 64 – 36 win.

The semifinal game matched the CAVS up against the Southern California All Stars, SCA.  The CAVS started the game very slowly, and the SCA jumped ahead.  The SCA post players scored down low on some easy lay-ups.  Midway through the first half, the CAVS actually trailed 5 – 8.  The SCA guard seemed to have the upper hand for a brief moment, but it didn’t last long.  Behind the sharp shooting of DJ, the CAVS very quickly took back the lead.  DJ scored several 3-pointers, and the SCA players looked helpless as they tried to stop DJ.  Within a few minutes, the CAVS led 29 -17.  In the second half, Maurice took control down low.  He scored on numerous lay-ups and controlled the rebounds.  DJ continued his sharp shooting in the second half.  DJ’s sharp shooting appeared to be contagious as the remainder of the CAVS team seemed to score at will.  The CAVS went on to win 57 – 37.

The CAVS 10U earned their way to the championship.  They would match up against the Inland Empire’s Tarheel Nation.  Unexpectedly, the Tarheels started the game quickly and gained the early lead.  Midway through the first half, the Tarheels led 13 – 2.  The CAVS kept working hard and fought their way back into the game.  The first half was riddled with fouls, as the CAVS could not get their high powered offense going.  But the CAVS kept battling back.  DJ scored on a drive to the basket, as did Brian.  After DJ hit some free throws, the CAVS were back in the game.  At halftime, the CAVS battled back, but still trailed 10 – 14.  During the second half, the CAVS kept passing the ball down low to its big men.  The Tarheels big men were beginning to get into foul trouble.  As the Tarheels big man got his 4th foul, the CAVS guards then went to work.  DJ and Brian kept driving to the basket, but with 10 minutes remaining the CAVS still trailed 19 – 22.  The Tarheels began to double team the CAVS guards and force some turnovers.  With 6 minutes left, the Tarheels stretched their lead to 7 points.  DJ desperately tried to get his team back in the game, but the CAVS were held scoreless for a few minutes.  During this time the, Tarheels guards began to heat up.  With 2 minutes left in the game, the CAVS trailed 27 – 41.  The CAVS could not pull out a win, and the Tarheels went on to win 41 – 30.  Although the CAVS did not come away with the championship, it was a great tournament.  Congratulations CAVS.

The CAVS 10U headed to Anaheim the weekend of July 11-12 in pursuit of another win prior to participating in the California State Games. On Saturday the team faced the San Diego Rebels in a hotter than usual gymnasium. Despite the thickness of the air, the CAVS performed their usual magic. The Rebels did not stand a chance against our team’s ferocious defense and advanced offensive skills. We won by a landslide 37-12.

The next game would be more of the same against the NJB Stars. Frustration for the Stars started to set in early as we forced many turnovers with our aggressive defense. It was definitely a team effort with everyone contributing their skills towards this victory over NJB. Our big men did what they do best….scored from down low as our guards made easy jump shots and layups. The final score was CAVS 43 and Rebels 16.

On Sunday we would face a team that we have a long history with; the San Pedro Knights. The Knights have yet to beat the CAVS and they will continue their journey to do so. We defeated the Knights 58-8.

The last and final game would be against the SE Warriors. Again, these two teams go way back with the Warriors lacking a win against us. The 10U team did exactly what they are known for, playing relentless defense. We took an early lead and the Warriors could never recover. The CAVS won 53-21.

The 10U team is destined for great things as they continue to work hard and focus on improving their skills. Great job CAVS!!!