Playing without their leading scorer, the Cavaliers managed to make a late run, but came up short 48-46 at Gallia Academy Friday night.
It was the final boys basketball game for Chillicothe in the SEOAL. The Cavs will compete in the South Central Ohio League beginning the 2013-14 school year.
Zach Johnson, who averages 20.5 ppg was unable to make the trip to Gallipolis Friday forcing the Cavaliers to find another way.
Things started off well enough as Chillicothe used a 9-0 run and lead 13-9 after the first quarter. In the second, a Devin Zehner bucket was the only field goal out of eight shots for Chillicothe. Tommy Bolte and Nate Rosenbauer added a free throw each as the Blue Devils poured in 15 points for a 24-17 edge at the half.
Justin Bailey hit a free throw for a 16-all tie at the 4:04 mark in the second and Gallia Academy used a couple of three's to extend the margin to seven.
The Cavs fell behind 32-19 and trailed by 13 points four times in the third period. The Devils drilled three three-pointers and big Jimmy Clagg dropped in a pair of inside baskets. But in the final three minutes of the third, Chillicothe scrapped back to within 8 at 39-31.
Coach Drew Meister switched to a smaller, quicker lineup and began to chip away at the deficit in the final period. Rosenbauer and Bolte had key baskets down the stretch combined with a big three from the corner by Quentin Davison and cut the lead to 48-44. Rosenbauer hit a bucket with 14 seconds left. Gallia’s Cody Call missed two free throws with 12 seconds remaining.
Rosenbauer grabbed the rebound and headed for the other end of the floor. Bixler aimed for three but missed and Tim Beard caught the rebound. Beard was unable to get a shot off while the clock expired.
Bolte and Rosenbauer paced the Cavs with 13 points each, Beard had 8, Davidson and Bixler added 3 apiece and Eddie Wells, Nolan Taylor and Zehner had 2 points each.
Baily led Gallia with 23 points.
Chillicothe (7-13/5-5) will host Canal Winchester in their final home game Saturday night at Hatton Gym.
