CHCA Beats Milford Behind Electric Performance by Caimano
CINCINNATI, OH — The second game of Day 2 of the 4th Annual Beacon Holiday Hardwood Classic pitted two of the best players in the Greater Cincinnati area against one another as Jason Caimano’s CHCA Eagles defeated Avery Pence’s Milford Eagles soundly by a score of 63-46. Pence was recently ranked 11th in the Class of 2026 by Cincinnati sports media outlet 513hsh, while Caimano was ranked 26th.
The game started with each team doing what they do best: Milford found success from three-point territory, draining three threes, two of which came from Pierce Berkemier. The Eagles cobbled together a 5-0 opening scoring run, but, with 5:45 remaining in the first quarter, CHCA responded with a 7-3 run of its own, led by Jason Caimano, to pull within one at 8-7. CHCA demonstrated its quick-scoring ability throughout the frame as Colin Michel and Cole Canter each scored fast-break layups during the run.
With 1:23 to go, CHCA took its first lead of the game on a three-pointer by Isaiah Hinman. Nolan Lum added another three in the waning seconds to extend the lead to four at 15-11 entering the second quarter.
CHCA pulled away in the second quarter thanks to a 15-5 scoring run that lasted until the 1:17 mark of the first half and was led by Caimano and Michel, who scored seven and eight points in the quarter, respectively. The run helped CHCA build a healthy 32-16 advantage and included a smaller run of 8-2. After Milford threatened with back-to-back scores, a Colin Michel three-point basket on the last possession of the half extended the lead back to 15 at 35-20 as the teams entered the locker room.
The second half opened with a dominant 8-0 scoring run put together by CHCA, with Caimano adding another two threes to his ledger and giving CHCA a 43-20 advantage. Milford didn’t relent either, though, as Berekemeier, Pence, and Charlie Gehringer each added multiple buckets in the quarter. CHCA led 53-38 entering the fourth and final frame.
Milford played much stronger in the fourth quarter, but the lead remained insurmountable. Mason Thompson and Avery Pence each contributed buckets for Milford. CHCA closed out a 63-46 victory in the “battle of the Eagles.”
Avery Pence led Milford with 11 points, and sophomore Pierce Berkemeier finished close behind him with 10. Colin Michel scored 14 for CHCA.
CHCA’s victory marked the first for the program against Milford since 2017. Last year, Milford rallied from down 31-25 in a thrilling 59-58 road win.
CHCA (3-3, 2-0 MVC) will now turn its attention to its game against Beavercreek on Tuesday, December 30 at Xenia High School. Meanwhile, Milford (6-2, 5-0 ECC) will return home for a game against Bishop Fenwick on Monday, December 29.
