Cavaliers Take Adena in Season Opener 55-21
Article presented by Rathkamp Financial …
The first game of the season is rarely perfect for teams. Friday’s 55-21 victory for Chillicothe over Adena had enough evidence of that in the closing game to the 35th Annual McDonald’s-Zane Trace Tip-Off Classic.
Chillicothe’s defense forced Adena into 31 turnovers on the night, 21 of those by halftime, with the Cavaliers posting a 31-12 lead at the break.
“Their pressure was still bothering us” said Adena’s Ryan Olaker after the game. “We graduated eight kids on a 17-win ball club last year. So, in terms of minutes, we’re still really, really young and we need to handle adversity.”
The Warriors knotted the game at 9-9 midway through the first quarter, but that’s all the closer the game would be. Chillicothe limited Adena to just six shots in the second and seven in the third quarters while the Cavaliers had 37 looks at the basket. If Chillicothe wasn’t forcing turnovers, they were getting second chance opportunities at the bucket. The Warriors were outscored 33-5 in the game’s middle periods and outrebounded 36-17 overall.
“You know, I’ve waited a long time to be able to play the kind of defense I want to play” Pat Beard said. “I felt like this could be the year we could get after guys defensively… I really thing that’s going to be the staple of our team.”
Eleven Cavaliers were in the scoring column, paced by Cayden Cox’s 12-points and Cooper Stoneking added 10 more. Cox was awarded Player of the Game by the Tip-Off Classic Committee.
Adena was led by Colton Garrison’s 7-points.
Both teams are back on the court Tuesday. Chillicothe (1-0) travels to New Lexington while the Warriors (0-1) open Scioto Valley Conference action with Huntington in The Village.
SCORING:
ADENA (21): Colton Garrison, 7; Joe Francis, 5; Daulton Smith, 3; Luke Preston, 2; Clayton Lowery, 2; Gavin Herald, 2.
CHILLICOTHE (55): Cayden Cox, 12; Cooper Stonking, 10; Daniel Scissum, 8; Andrew Hamman, 7; Victor Hitchens, 5; Juan Miller, 3; Cam Badger, 3; Kayron Pleasant, 2; Eshon Brown, 2; Carter Wiliams, 2; Cartae Ligon, 1.
Results from the McDonald’s-Zane Trace Tip-off Classic:
Wednesday’s games: Amanda Clearcreek 64, Huntington 62; New Hope Christian Academy 64, Wellston 46; Bexley 50, Logan Elm 48 (2-OTs); Zane Trace 51, Circleville 35.
Friday’s games: Piketon 75, Ross County Christian Academy 58; Southeastern 59, Federal Hocking 42; Bishop Ready 52, South Point 38; Chillicothe 55, Adena 21.
