Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — As odd as it may seem, the South Point Pointers had their backs to the wall one game into the Ohio Valley Conference race.

Having lost to Fairland on Tuesday, the Pointers needed to win at home Friday against the Chesapeake Panthers who knocked off Coal Grove on Tuesday.

South Point did just what it needed as it beat Chesapeake 46-39.

John Johnson scored 16 points and Eli Ketron posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Pointers (1-2, 1-1).

“This was one we have to win. We told the kids they had to win this one to have a chance at the conference,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

“Eli played well. We needed that. And freshman A.J. Nease his two big 3s and he did a good job on (Andrew) Saunders.”

Caleb Heffner had 17 points and Gage Rhoades scored 14 to lead the Panthers (3-2, 1-1).

Johnson scored 8 points and Brandon Barnes scored 6 in the first quarter as South Point took a 17-11 lead.

Chesapeake got within 22-21 at the half as the Panthers held South Point to 5 points in the second quarter.

“We didn’t hardly get any shots in the second quarter,” said coach Barnes.

The Pointers were up 31-29 after three quarters.

Heffner scored 7 points in the fourth quarter, but South Point was 11-of-15 from the foul line to seal the win.

Chesapeake 11 10 8 10 = 39

South Point 17 5 9 15 = 46

CHESAPEAKE (3-2, 1-1): Austin Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0, Nate Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Gage Rhoades 3 2 2-2 14, Caleb Heffner 5 0 7-7 17, Andrew Saunders 2 1 1-2 8, Aaron Thompson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 3 10-11 39. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (1-2, 1-1): John Johnson 2 2 6-9 16, Stephen Wagoner 0 0 0-0 0, A.J. Nease 0 2 0-0 6, Audric Harlow 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Barnes 3 0 1-2 7, Marquise Foley 0 0 0-0 0, Eli Ketron 5 0 4-7 14, Brady Rickard 0 0 1-2 1, Brandon Boggs 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 11 4 12-20 46. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.