Photo by Seth Nichols

(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – Monday night's game between Walsh and Malone will certainly be placed up there with the best of any in the all-time series' 112 matchups. In the end, the record books will show the Cavaliers won 99-97 against their neighbors to the south.

A combined nine players for both teams scored in double figures and three players had career nights. Two of those players donned the Maroon and Gold and grew up together as Zac Carter (Jr., Ironton, Ohio/Ironton) and Trey Fletcher (Jr., Ironton, Ohio/Ironton) combined for two-thirds of the Cavaliers' (10-9, 8-7) points. Carter poured in 36 points while Fletcher was right behind him with 31.

On the opposite end, the Pioneers' (4-16, 1-14) Jay Parker led his team with a personal best 26 points.

After Malone hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to go into halftime down 52-48, it appeared that the Pioneers had momentum on their side. However, Walsh came out and immediately caught fire with a 16-4 run in the first 5:31 of the second half to take its largest lead of the game at 68-52.

The Pioneers then started to chip away at the Cavaliers' lead and eventually gained the lead themselves after a trey by Stephen O'Daniel III that made the score 84-83 with 5:31 to go in the game.

Carter immediately answered with a layup to give Walsh the advantage once again. It was the second of six lead changes to close the game. All of Malone's go-ahead baskets came from behind the arc, but the Cavs answered the call each time.

After Carter missed a free throw that could have tied the game with just over three minutes left, Steven Carpenter (So., Lancaster, Ohio/Fairfield Christian) pulled down a huge offensive rebound, one of 18 offensive team rebounds in the game. That led to Carter redeeming himself with a jumper to give the Cavaliers the lead for good.

Not to be forgotten was impressive performances by both Jesse Hardin Jr. (Sr., Warren, Ohio/Harding) and Chall Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Central Catholic/Navy). Hardin Jr. was three assists shy of a triple-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. It was his fourth double-double of the season. Montgomery scored 16 points, was 6-of-10 from the field, and 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Both he and Fletcher were two rebounds shy of a double-double.

Carter finished the game 12-of-20 and Fletcher was 11-of-20 from the field.

Walsh will return to action to face another local rival in Ashland on Thursday. Tip-off with the Eagles is set for 7:30 p.m.