The Chillicothe Lady Hornets basketball team as the 3 seed in the Class 4 District 16 tournament hosted #6 Cameron on Tuesday night, in the first step of their district title defense.
Chillicothe began the contest with great intensity, opening up a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Cameron battled back to cut the deficit to 8 points before Chillicothe closed the half strong leading 34-19.
Defensively Chillicothe was everywhere, creating steals and turning them into transition points including a stretch in the 3rd quarter where Lyla Beetsma came away with a steal on 4 consecutive possessions. Cameron ended the game with 24 turnovers compared to just 5 from the Lady Hornets. Liz Oliver, Lyla Beetsma and Lydia Bonderer all finished the game in double figures for Chillicothe, with senior Liz Oliver leading the way at 16. Cameron was held to just three 2nd half points as Chillicothe advanced with the 61-22 victory.
The win improves Chillicothe to 20-6 on the season, the 4th straight year under Coach Darren Smith that Chillicothe has eclipsed 20 wins. The Lady Hornets will take on #2 Lafayette on Thursday in the 2nd semifinal from Lafayette High School in the district tournament.
Chillicothe 16 34 53 61
Cameron 5 19 21 22
Individual scoring:
Chillicothe – Oliver 16, Beetsma 15, Bonderer 14, Landry Marsh 6, Emerson Staton 6, Ava Leamer 4
Cameron – Isabel Robinson 14, Ava Henry 4, Cara Pittsenbarger 2, Addison Tolbert 2
