The Chillicothe Hornets boys basketball team took on St. Pius X on Tuesday night in a pivotal MEC matchup. Both teams entered the contest with a winning record on the season, but both were 0-1 in conference looking for a victory to get back to even.
Chillicothe started strong, missing senior point guard Kenyen Gannan, the Hornets were still able to play poised early, featuring Jaishon White underneath who had 12 first half points. Chillicothe opened up a nine point lead in the early going of the 2nd quarter when St. Pius turned up the pressure. Their on ball defensive intensity elevated and the Warriors stormed back to close out the half with a 25-24 lead.
The early going of the 3rd quarter was back and forth, featuring numerous lead changes but consecutive triples from St. Pius to close out the frame pushed the home teams advantage out to 41-34. Matthew Schmitz had a massive 2nd half for the Warriors, scoring 22 after the break and a game high 26, helping St. Pius pull away in the 4th quarter for a 60-41 win.
Chillicothe was led in points by White with 16, and the Hornets drop to 11-7 overall. Chillicothe now 0-2 in the MEC will host conference foe Benton on Friday.
Chillicothe 15 24 34 41
St. Pius X 8 25 41 60
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – White 16, Soljier Allen 9, Ashton Baker 7, Langston Johnson 5, Logan Murrell 2, Cooper Robinson 1, Max Probasco 1
St. Pius X – Schmitz 26, Tommy Hutsler 11, Jackson Stacy 9, Tyler Lind 6, Miles Winders 4, Brady Stacy 2, John Mandacina 2
