The Chillicothe Hornets boys basketball team hosted Benton Friday night as part of the Jam the Gym festivities at Chillicothe High School. The electric atmosphere culminated in a matchup between last years MEC winner and runner-up. Chillicothe was looking to avenge their only defeat in conference play from last season taking on Benton who entered the contest 15-3 overall, 2-0 in conference and top 5 in Class 4 in the state of Missouri. Meanwhile, Chillicothe was still looking for their first conference win at 0-2, 11-7 overall.
Both teams played hard from the opening tip. Chillicothe found success inside with Jaishon White who scored 6 first quarter points, but Benton held a tepid 15-11 advantage after one quarter. White picked up his 2nd foul in the early going of the 2nd quarter which allowed Benton to extend the margin to double figures. Chillicothe fought back before Benton’s Lincoln Goodwin hit a tough angled jumper on the baseline to close out the half, giving the Cardinals a 29-20 lead.
The 3rd quarter was the difference maker in this one. Chillicothe could not score against the length and aggressiveness of the Benton defense coming out of the locker room. Benton blitzed the Hornets in the frame outscoring Chillicothe 18-3. In the midst of the Cardinals run, Chillicothe Coach Tim Cool was issued a technical foul following White’s 2nd offensive foul of the night.
A Soljier Allen three-pointer trimmed the margin to 18 in the 4th quarter, but the Hornets were unable to get any closer as tempers flared late in the rivalry matchup. Each team was assessed a pair of 2nd half technical fouls, highlighted by Benton’s Goodwin getting penalized for smacking his palms against the glass following his 2nd two handed slam dunk of the night. Myles Bachali joined his teammate Goodwin with over 20 points on the night, attacking the paint off the dribble. Benton emerged from the battle a 63-34 winner.
Chillicothe is still looking for their first conference win at 0-3, 11-8 overall but will step out of conference play next up Tuesday against Marion Kauffman. Benton improves their hold on the top spot in the MEC at 16-3, 3-0 in conference.
Chillicothe 11 20 23 34
Benton 15 29 47 63
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – White 14, Allen 9, Langston Johnson 5, Kenyen Gannan 4, Max Probasco 2
Benton – Goodwin 22, Bachali 21, Jason Simmons 8, Liam Malchose 5, Zaidyn Woodward 5, Carter Esely 2
