CHESHIRE — If there was any question before the game as to whether coach Norm Persin would get his 500th career win, the Chesapeake Panthers answered the question quickly.

The Panthers jumped out to a 32-11 lead in the first quarter and cruised past the River Valley Raiders 92-38 Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“To me, it was never on my mind. I was thinking about the game. We’ve had a tough week trying to prepare for two games and getting through some injuries,” Persin said.

“Now that it’s over, it’s gratifying. Our kids came out loose and played well. It was over in four minutes.”

Persin is now 500-131 in his 29th season as a head coach. The Panthers moved to 8-0 on the season and 3-0 in the conference.

Jeff Thornburg scored 18 points and had eight assists to lead the Panthers. P.J. Rase added 13 points, Justin Porter 12 points, Zach Morrison 10 and Brent Ransbottom had nine points and eight rebounds.

Thornburg scored 12 points including a pair of 3-pointers while Rase scored nine points to ignite the Panthers first quarter.

“We played pretty well, especially early. We came out and got on a roll,” Persin said.

Porter had six points in the second quarter as the lead grew to 53-19 at the break.

Persin emptied his bench in the second half and Aaron Ross scored all eight of his points in the fourth quarter.

River Valley fell to 4-5 and 1-3 in the OVC.

Chesapeake played Dover at Ohio University Saturday in the Wendy’s Classic.

Chesapeake32212019=92

River Valley118109=38

CHESAPEAKE (8-0, 3-0): Zach Morrison 5 0 0-1 10, Aaron Ross 1 2 0-0 8, Mike Stapleton 3 0 1-2 7, Caleb McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Rase 1 0 2-2 4, Tyler Shoemaker 4 0 0-1 8, Justin Porter 4 1 1-3 12, P.J. Rase 6 0 1-2 13, Jeff Thornburg 6 2 0-0 18, Kyle Fuller 1 0 0-0 2, John Green 0 0 1-2 1, Brent Ransbottom 4 0 1-2 9. Totals: 35

5

7-14

92. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.

RIVER VALLEY (4-5, 1-3): Cory Ehman 4 0-0 8, Jason Jones 1 1 0-0 5, Brian Morrow 1 0 1-1 3, Ian Lewis 1 0 0-0 2, Nate Nibert 0 1 0-0 3, Michael Cordell 2 1 0-0 7, Tyler Thompson 1 0 1-2 3, Ryan Henry 1 1 0-0 5, Scott Ward 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 4 2-3 38. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.