Zane Trace Tip-Off Classic
Article presented by Pike County Career & Technology Center…
Ross County Christian Academy 63, Piketon 59
There Eagles scored in double figures to grab a 63-59 win over Piketon in the opening game of the Tip-Off Classic’s second day of action at Zane Trace High School.
Sophomore Reid Elliott paced the RCCA attack with 19-points, Isaac Kellough dropped in 14 and Nathaniel Clevenger tallied 11. Jayden Beverly added 9-points all in the final period.
Eagles Coach Matt Jude was happy with his team’s start. “It was a great day” said Jude. “Last year we came in and battled them, but it was like a 17-point game. This year, the moment wasn’t too big. I thought we hadn’t played in a lot of environments like this. For the first time, this year, I felt we were ready for it. We responded and I think the boys played really well on this stage.”
Piketon got off to a slow start, falling behind 17-6 after the first quarter and cut the lead to 26-20 by halftime. The Eagles widened the gap to 12 in the third before a late rally by the Redstreaks in the final period. Piketon closed the margin to 61-59 in the final 30 seconds of regulation, but RCCA nailed down the victory on a pair of Beverly free throws.
Bo Henry led Piketon with 19-points.
RCCA (1-0) hosts Fayette Christian. Tuesday. Piketon (0-1) will travel to Lucasville Valley Saturday.
Waverly 60, Fisher Catholic 54
The Tigers earned a 60-54 win over Fisher Catholic despite a 32-point effort from Sam Tencza for the Irish.
The contest was tight through most of the game with both teams matched at 16 through the first period and Waverly holding a slim 41-38 lead at the intermission.
Fisher took the lead through into the fourth period, 49-47 on a put back by Neil Damian. However, Waverly took control down the stretch limiting the Irish to just five points.
Kage Alexander (pictured) led the charge for Waverly nailing nine field goals posting 23-points, 17 coming in the first half. Kai Keesee was the Amin cog in the second half with 13 of his 17-points coming after the break. Teegan Hurt had 12 while the Myers brothers combined for another eight. It’s the first win for new head coach Teryn Jarrett.
The Tigers (1-0) will host Gallia Academy next Friday in the Waverly Downtown Gym. Fisher Catholic (0-1) open Mid State League Cardinal action Saturday night in a home match with Millersport.
Chillicothe 46, Bloom-Carroll 24
In an old Cavalier cheer squad refrain, “Our Chilli is red hot”. It certainly was Saturday night in the nightcap of the Tip-Off Classic.
(Pictured: Chillicothe’s Noah Netter leans in for two of his 7-points in the first half of the Cavs’ 46-24 win over Bloom-Carroll.)
Andrew Hamman and Cooper Stoneking knocked down some three-pointers and the Cavs held Bloom-Carroll to five points for a 13-5 score after the first quarter.
Cavs Coach Pat Beard admitted, there’s still much to work on. “We kinda knew that going into tonight” said Beard. “First game, you never know what you’re gonna get. I basically told the kids in the locker room, ‘Just play hard. Give me 110%. You’re gonna make some mistakes. We’ll learn from these mistakes, you have to go out and play hard. At least we did that.”
Chillicothe opened the second period on a 7-2 run and three minutes in, the Cavs were up 13 at 20-7. By the intermission, Chillicothe owned a 25-10 lead.
The opening moments of the second half weren’t much different. Cayden Cox threw down a thunderous dunk on a break away with 1:15 left in the third to put Chilli up by twenty four at 36-12.
Stoneking led all scorers with 15-points, Cox added 11 and Hamman 10 for Chillicothe.
The Cavaliers have just two seniors, Stoneking and Ayden Stulz and Beard says his team is still young and learning each time they take the floor. “This year is mainly for them to learn. Let’s win some games as we go – we’re just gonna keep building. Our ultimate goal is get to the Convo this year and we know we’ve got to get a lot better in both areas, offensively and defensively. We’ll keep attacking.”
Caleb Hinkle led Bloom-Carroll with 8-points, all in the first half.
Chillicothe (1-0) heads to Marion Harding next Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (0-1) open Mid State League Buckeye action Tuesday night at Circleville.
