Two basketball programs with great tradition in their respective states will meet Sunday in the 11th annual National Hoops Classic at Battelle Hall in Columbus when the Chesapeake Panthers face the Scott County Cardinals at 1:45 p.

Friday, January 14, 2000

Two basketball programs with great tradition in their respective states will meet Sunday in the 11th annual National Hoops Classic at Battelle Hall in Columbus when the Chesapeake Panthers face the Scott County Cardinals at 1:45 p.m.

The game is a matchup of ranked teams. The Panthers (8-0) are 8th in the Associated Press Division III poll of Ohio, while Scott County is second in Kentucky which has only one classification in basketball.

Scott County would be considered Division I in Ohio, the largest size school district. The Cardinals have an enrollment of more than 1,200 students.

Chesapeake has less than 400 students in four grades.

The Cardinals were state champions two years ago and second last season. Louisville Ballard, the defending state champions, are ranked No. 1.

"This type of game is good for the program. It’s an honor to be in this event," Panthers coach Norm Persin said. "These are the top programs in Ohio. It’s due process to what we’ve accomplished in the past.

"We just have to step up. It’ll make us better and show us where we’re at. If you win, it’s nothing but a major, major shot for the program. And we’ve always played better against better teams."

The Cards won the Lexington Catholic Tournament and beat Lexington Catholic which has not lost at home the past four seasons.

Leading the way for Scott Co. is Richard Hundley, 6-foot-4 forward, considered one of the top three candidates for Mr. Basketball, has already committed to Vanderbilt.

"He’s very smart and never gets out of control. The rest of the team feeds off his passing. He does everything the way it’s supposed to be done. He’s very solid. He’s a typical Vanderbilt player."

In the middle is 6-8 Nate Austin, a transfer from New York who Persin said is "very athletic and very physical in the post. He’s projected as a Division I player.

Scott Aslop, a 5-11 senior point guard, is a deadly shooter. He connected on 24-of-40 shots from 3-point range in the Lexington Catholic tournament. He once converted 24-of-24 from the foul line in one game. He scored 41 in the tournament title game.

"(Aslop) is the kid I’m most impressed with. He’s not going to get rattled. He makes great decisions and his shooting range is unbelievable. He can really extend the defense because of his range," Persin said.

Wing players C. J. Brown and Sam Chisley round out the starting lineup and are in the 6-foot range.

"They remind me athletically of (Ironton’s Jason) Harmon. They’re not as fast or as good as Harmon, but they’re in that type of mold," said Persin.

Scott County is 8-3 on the season with two losses coming in a tournament in Florida. They beat a team from Tennessee and Bronx, N.Y., on the trip.