Last year it was a buzzer beater at Jackson. Friday night, Zach Johnson drilled a three-pointer to lift the Cavs to a 38-37 win over Gallia Academy.

Cody Call had just given the Blue Devils a 37-35 lead with13 seconds remaining.

Then came Johnson’s shot. The senior forward calmly walked the dribble to the top of the key and nailed the shot from 20 feet out.

Coach Drew Meister shook up his lineup starting two freshmen and assigning Carl Harris, Jr. to his first varsity start. The result was a two-tap tip for a steal by Harris, who forwarded the ball ahead to Nate Rosenbauer, and the Cavs had a 2-0 lead just 16 seconds into the game.

Meister said it all started in practice this week. “Everything this week had been, those guys that are producing effort and energy every day in practice, give me four days and you’re gonna earn the time and you’ll see what good things happen as a result.”

The Cavs held leads of 6-3 and 8-5 before Gallia gained the advantage to close out the first period. The Blue Devils kept up the pace in the second to gain a 5-point edge before the half. Tommy Bolte got a put back to cut the margin to 21-18 into the break.

“We were able to get it done by committee… you do not lay off the pedal, whether it’s in the practice setting in the drill work and certainly on game night. So, I’m just proud of those guys, leading that example.”

Reid Eastman got a layup to open the second half, but then the Cavs answered with an 8-0 run on baskets by Adam Bixler, sandwich by two Zach Johnson buckets and Bolte hit a jumper for a 26-23 lead.

The two teams opened the fourth tied a 26. Gallia took a 31-28 lead before Johnson tied the game on two separate trips at 31-31 and 33-33. Bolte tied the game at 35 on a free throw with 1:13 remaining.

Then Call hit the shot for the lead and Johnson answered with the game winner.

Call had a desperation shot at the buzzer which rimmed out.

Johnson led the Cavs with 14 points while Bolte had 8, Rosenbauer 6, Harris 5, Bixler 3 and Tim Beard 2.

Justin Bailey paced the Gallia attack with 17 points.

The Cavs squeaked out the win to improve to 3-8 and 3-2 in the SEOAL.

Chillicothe heads to Gahanna Lincoln Saturday. Coverage on WBEX 1490AM and 92.7FM begins around 7:45pm.