Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — In this case, the Chesapeake Panthers don’t mind being part owners.

The Panthers used a strong defensive effort to beat the Fairland Dragons 39-31 on Saturday to earn a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship.

Fairland (16-6, 9-1) had clinched a share of the title earlier this week. Chesapeake needed a win for its part in getting a title trophy.

“We did a good job like we have been the past few weeks,” said Panthers’ coach Ryan Davis of his team’s defensive effort.

“We didn’t do anything special. We just guarded them the way we’ve been guarding.”

Javon Thompson scored 18 points to lead the Panthers (16-5, 9-1). Evan Maddox had 14 points to lead Fairland.

Thompson had 7 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 9-8 lead.

Maddox scored 5 points in the second quarter as Fairland rallied to take a 16-15 lead at the half.

The Dragons outscored the Panthers 9-5 in the third quarter as Maddox scored 4 more points and it was 25-20.

But Caleb Heffner scored 6 points, Thompson had 5 more and the defense limited the Dragons to only 6 points as Chesapeake rallied to post the win.

Chesapeake will visit Wesley Christian on Tuesday and play at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Div. III sectional tournament at Jackson.

Fairland 8 8 9 6 = 31

Chesapeake 9 6 5 19 = 39

FAIRLAND (16-6, 9-1): Cody Midkiff 1 1 2-4 7, Chance Short 0 0 0-0 0, Thayer Flynn 0 0 0-0 0, Nathan Campbell 1 0 0-0 2, Phillip Beatty 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Raines 2 0 0-0 4, Evan Maddox 3 1 5-8 14, Tyler Campbell 0 0 0-0 0, Dionte Braye 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2 7-15 31. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (16-5, 9-1): Nick Duffield 1 0 2-4 4, Caleb Lindsey 1 0 0-0 2, Caleb Heffner 3 0 0-2 6, Javon Thompson 1 4 4-4 18, Andrew Saunders 2 0 0-0 4, Chad Meadows 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 10 4 7-12 39. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.