By Dan Ramey
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Chillicothe set the tone early in their Saturday night battle with the Logan Elm Braves and posted a 60-31 victory.
The Cavs blistered the nets for 83% of their shots from the field while jumping out to a 23-5 lead on a young Braves team. While Chillicothe dropped off its torrid pace, they still managed to shoot better than 60% for the game.
Logan Elm outscored Chillicothe 9-6 in the second period, but after halftime the Cavs kept pulling away to notch their ninth win of the season.
The Braves have three freshmen in their starting lineup "It's tough right now, we're a very, very young basketball team and you could see it tonight, just the physicalness of the game" said Logan Elm's Doug Stiverson. " I felt we were really passive at the defensive end of the court tonight... maybe a little intimidated tonight. Just a little disappointed in our competitiveness, especially on the defensive end. I thought as the game went on we got better, but we definately need to improve at that end of the floor."
The win helped Chillicothe finish up seven games in twelve days at 5-2, including Thursday's overtime loss to Reynoldsburg and falling to Unioto by three points a week ago Friday. "It's been great to see our guys respond to be where we're at at this point of the season with that schedule" said the Cavs' Eric Huffer.
Will Roderick led all scorers with 14 points as the senior post man went 7-for-7 from the field. "We're constantly telling him 'Will, nobody can guard you' his first step is really quick, he's so strong" said Huffer. Branden Maughmer tallied 13 for the Cavs (9-3). Jason Sailor paced the Braves (4-5) with 13 points.
Chillicothe is off until January 12th when they resume Frontier Athletic Conference action with Miami Trace at Hatton Gym. Logan Elm travels to Hamilton Township January 6th.
Hear the game podcast and post game interviews below.
CHILLCOTHE (60): Will Roderick, 14; Branden Maughmer, 13; Brandon Noel, 7; Simon Roderick, 6' Jayvon Maughmer, 6; Jalen Jordan, 5; Darius Lawson, 4.
LOGAN ELM (31): Jason Sailor, 13; Evan Huffman, 7; Isaac Ward, 6; Jeremy Weitelmann, 2; Cody Anderson, 2.