The Cavaliers broke open a close game to close the season on SEOAL foe Jackson Saturday night 49-38.

Chillicothe had a 27-24 lead entering the 4^th quarter. The Cavs started the period with a 7-0 run jumping out to a 10 point lead before Jackson’s Colt Chapman hit a free throw to make it 34-25.

The Ironmen managed just three baskets (a pair of 3’s and a deuce) as the Cavaliers controlled the final six minutes.

Prior to that point, it was nip and tuck.

Chillicothe opened with a 12-6 lead through the first period and Jackson tied the game at 14 before Adam Bixler hit a basket before the end of the half at 16-14.

The Ironmen began the game in a man-to-man defense, which didn’t surprise Cavs coach Gary Kellough. “We’ve scouted their last few games and we were prepared. This time of year, ya have to be ready for anything.”

Chillicothe extended its defense in the second half and pressured Chapman (who finished with 16pts). “We intended to take their legs (out of the game) from them”, said Coach K “hoping to wear them down.”

The move forced Jackson into 15 total turnovers. All the while, Zach Johnson and MaLik London paired up to help the Cavs pull away in the 4^th. Johnson finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds to lead all scorers and London added 16 points and 9 rebounds. The tandem had all but 3 of the Chillicothe points in the final period as the Cavs hit 8-of-8 shots from the field.

The Cavs will play Thornville Sheridan Wednesday night at the Ohio University Convocation Center at 6:15pm. Sheridan defeated Marietta 52-48 at Logan Saturday. In the second game Wednesday, Circleville (a 45-33 winner over Unioto Friday) and Athens (a 40-38 winner over Logan Elm) will meet at
8:00pm.

Tickets will go on sale to the public from 3:30pm-7:00pm on Monday and Tuesday at the main ticket office at Hatton Memorial Gymnasium. Tickets cost $6 and the ticket office will accept cash only.

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