Many people believed Miami Trace to be the FAC favorite this season. With tremendous size (three players over 6’7”) the Panthers present real match up problems.
With size and experience MT somehow came to Chillicothe 2-6 and 0-4 in FAC play. Quarantines have played a part in a slow start, but Saturday the Panthers took a big step with a solid 54-39 win over Chillicothe.
The Cavaliers started three players under 5’10” and the match ups eventually forced the Cavs into a zone in the second quarter.
The Cavs came out and got to the basket for a quick 11-4 lead. MT answered with an 8-0 run to lead 12-11 after a quarter and never trailed again.The advantage went to 11 at the half and 17 after three periods.
Chillicothe made a final period charge to cut the lead to seven but couldn’t overcome a balanced Panther offense that saw seven players score.
Hayden Hunter and Ethan Steele both came off the bench to lead the Panthers. Both subs had 12 points to lead an 8 man MT rotation. Braden Osborne and 6’8” Andrew Guthrie added 9 points each.
Chillicothe had some scoring spurts but struggled against the Panther 2-3 zone. The Cavs were just 1 of 10 on first half three pointers before warming up in the second half.
Sophomore Mason Siberell got his first start and led the Cavs with 11 points. Jaiden Cain scored 9, all thin the second half.
Both teams shot similar percentages with the winners 20 of 53 for 38% and Chillicothe 15 of 39 for 38%. One key stat was the Cavs 16 turnovers to just 7 miscues for MT.
Miami Trace gets their first FAC win and goes to 1-4 in conference play and 3-6 on the year. The Panthers hope to get back 6’8” senior Logan Rodgers this week.
Chillicothe, again playing without their only senior Joel Barnes, come back Tuesday to host Hillsboro. Hear all the action on 1490 WBEX.