Chillicothe used a sound defense and an opportunistic offense to upset Smithville 52-49 before a loud crowd at home. Smithville scored the first basket of the game, but that would be one of only two times they would lead in the game. Hornet’s coach Matt Brownsberger said his team came out ready to play, feeding off the energy of a last minute win by the Hornets Junior Varsity team.       Chillicothe led by 10 points late in the second quarter but lost the lead briefly late in the third before retaking a one point lead heading into the fourth. Chillicothe build a six point lead in the final minute but a Smithville player hit a trey and was fouled, then hit the free throw to close the game to 2 points with less than 15 seconds left. Chillicothe hit a free throw with six seconds left and Smithville missed a trey at the buzzer to give Chillicothe the three-point win.
     Chillicothe used a physical defense to try and shut down Smithville's 6'7" Dillon Deck. The Junior averages 22 points per game but was held to just 12. Smithville also struggled from the outside, shooting just 3 of 17 from behind the three point arc while Chillicothe was 4 of 7.