Jackson @ Chili 1/27

[Hitchbone64]

Exciting game at the "HAT" tonight as the Cavaliers hold off a very solid Jackson Ironmen team. The game played out totally different than the one down in Jackson County earlier in the season. Simply put, the Cavaliers did damage to Jackson's Triangle and 2 defensive scheme. While the game at Jackson was a slow scoring slugest that took a buzzer beater to win for the Cavs, this game turned into the highest scoring output for Chilly to date.

Cavs ran their offense to perfection while Zach Johnson was faceguarded and doubled everytime he got the ball. Also, Malik London though doubled everytime he got the ball, got the Cavs off to a running start with 10 points in the first half. The second half turned out to be the Cavs highest scoring half of the year, as they go for 39 points.

Simply put the Jackson Ironmen relied on the 3 point game and Colt Chapman's drives to the hoop to try and stay in the game. Shooting percentages will tell the whole story. Cavs shoot 58% to Jackson's 32%. Jackson attempts 24 long balls, while connecting on a respectable 33%, while they were 11/35 inside the 3 point arc. Can anyone say hello Mr. Malik London. There is no stat to determine the points he saves by his mere presence in the paint. By quick count, the Ironmen missed 17 shots in the paint, while making only 7. Game, set, match.

Overall, Jackson is clearly a very improved team. If they get some help for Chapman in terms of shot creation, they will be very dangerous in the tourney. They have size, athleticism and a few kids who can shot if left open. However, Chapman will face double teams for the rest of the year.

The Cavs were lead in the statiscal category by the regular duo of London/Johnson, but Aaron Elliott comes up with a career high 26 points to be the games leading scorer. Johnson and London go for double/doubles with 17 pts, 10 rebounds for London, and Johnson scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Along with that, he played excellent defense on Chapman. However, my Game ball goes to Jalen Jones, who single handedly disrupts offenses and out works everyone in the hustle area. The smallest guy on the court hauls down 7 rebounds, dishes out 3 assists, 2 steals and multiple deflections, and most of all kept the Ironmen out of rhythm up top.

TEAM STATS look like this:

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Cavs 16 18 14 25 73
Jackson 11 10 13 20 41

Cavs Cavs

F/G 27/46 58% Rebounds 40
3P F/G 2/6 33% T/O 20
F/T 17/26 65% Assists 19

Jackson Jackson

F/G 19/59 32% Rebounds 24
3P F/G 8/24 33% T/O 12
F/T 8/15 53% Assists 6

[Solomon]

im looking forward to the jackson/vinton co contest next week. it will be good to see some family and friends in macarthu