Coach Eric Huffer’s Cavaliers lost their third game to a Division 1 Central District top team this season and for the third time went to the wire and lost in the final quarter. The Golden Bears won big the past two years but Chillicothe put together a scintillating second period to lead 26-23 at the half and led 41-39 in the final period, before falling 55-49.
It appeared whoever had the final possession may be the winner when Upper Arlington suddenly went on a 10-0 run to gain the advantage midway through the final stanza. The five Golden Bear go ahead buckets were all within five feet of the basket. UA drove the lane for two, picked up two transition breaks off Cavalier misses, and picked off a Cavalier turnover for another lay up to gain their biggest lead of the game at 10.
Chillicothe picked up two threes from Tre Beard to cut the lead to four but another Cavs turnover with a minute remaining sealed the win for the Bears.
Although disappointed with the loss, Coach Eric Huffer was extremely proud of his team’s effort. “We played right with Logan, Canal Winchester, and Upper Arlington but lost all three when we couldn’t finish. Hopefully we will still get some respect at the Division One seeding.”
Chillicothe was 18-39 for 46% from the floor and hit 8-18 threes. The Bears were a hot 22-36 for 61% and only took 8 threes, scoring most of their points in the lane and on drives.
Division 1 signee Max Martz had 15 with 13 in the first half. Jake Warriner and Sammy Sass combined for 20 second half points and wound up with 14 and 10 respectively for UA.
The Cavs junior trio were all in double figures with Beard scoring 18. Jayvon Maughmer notched 12 and Brandon Noel had 12 for Chillicothe.
Chillicothe gets a chance to revenge the loss at Logan when they host the ranked Chieftains on Tuesday. The Cavaliers can clinch their second straight FAC championship with a win over Hillsboro on Friday at the “Hat”.
UPPER ARLINGTON: Rushin 4; Sass 10; Warinner 14; Karsatos 6; Martz 15; Wilkes 6.
CHILLICOTHE: Beard 18; Maughmer 12; Noel 12; Postage 3; Roper 4.
Hear the replay from News Radio WBEX on our podcast link below...