MINFORD – Putting the heat on got the Chesapeake Lady Panthers heated up.

Friday, December 22, 2000

MINFORD – Putting the heat on got the Chesapeake Lady Panthers heated up.

The Lady Panthers used a swarming fullcourt press to trigger a 60 percent shooting effort as they routed the Minford Lady Falcons 79-58 Thursday.

"We finally put four quarters together. Our defensive pressure was tremendous. We played with more heart and desire tonight since early in the year. We started off fast and never let up," Panthers coach Chad Belville said.

"Every girl turned in their best performance of the year. And Minford has a nice club."

Erin Sutphin turned in a one of her best performances with 24 points, six steals, and five assists.

Michelle Elkins added 13 points and Ashley Mayenchein had 12 points, five assists, and three steals.

Amanda Porter had 13 points for Minford, 5-3.

Chesapeake (3-4) jumped ahead 15-9 the first quarter and built a 30-15 lead late in the half. But Minford was able to get within 38-27 at the break.

"We started to get in a little foul trouble and (Minford) made a little run to cut it from 15 to 11. But we withstood their run with our young kids, and we came out the third quarter and took it to them," Belville said.

Sutphin scored nine in the third quarter as the lead ballooned to 60-38.

"Ashley Mayenchein hit a big three in the quarter and Sutphin was on fire," Belville said.

"Mayenchein has been shooting better in practice and she had to play the point and she did an incredible job. She really stepped up tonight. And (Kim) Frye was a big key on our press. She showed a lot of leadership and played well."

Chesapeake plays at River Valley next Thursday.

Chesapeake 15 23 22 19 – 79

Minford 9 18 11 20 – 58

CHESAPEAKE (3-4): Amanda Bartoe 1 0 0-0 2, Erin Sutphin 10 0 4-6 24, Michelle Elkins 6 0 1-2 13, Ashley Mayenchein 2 2 2-3 12, Emily Delimpo 1 0 4-4 6, Kim Frye 2 1 0-0 7, Jennifer Rice 2 0 4-9 8, Michelle Christian 2 0 3-4 7. Totals: 26 3 18-28 79. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Delimpo. Rebounds: 20 (Rice 5). Assists: 21 (Mayenchein 5, Sutphin 5). Steals: 16 (Sutphin 6, Mayenchein 3, Frye 3, Elkins 3). Turnovers: 13.

MINFORD (5-3): Mandy Skaggs 3 0 0-0 6, Kathy Brown 1 0 1-2 3, Andrea King 4 0 0-0 8, Erica Shonkwiler 2 0 2-2 6, Jessica James 2 0 0-0 4, Erica Lawrence 2 0 2-3 6, Mandy Miller 3 0 2-3 8, Brittany Rudd 2 0 0-0 4, Amanda Porter 6 0 1-2 13. Totals: 25 0 8-12 58. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: None.