By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

JACKSON — The Chesapeake Panthers would make good photographers. They know how to focus.

It would have been easy for the second-ranked Panthers to overlook the Minford Falcons who entered Friday’s Division III sectional title game with just eight wins.

But the Panthers came out even more focused and determined as they began the game with a 26-1 run and cruised to a 78-31 pounding of the Falcons.

“Our focus on defense early was very good,” said Panthers’ coach Ryan Davis. “I thought they did a good job of trying to slow the pace of the game down.

“But we guarded well. The only field goals we gave up were a couple of 3’s.”

Five different players scored in the first quarter as Chesapeake stormed out to a 17-1 lead. Minford’s only point was a foul shot by Mark Slone at the 3:57 mark that made it 6-1. It was the closest the Falcons would get the entire game.

Nathan Copley hit a 15-footer and a triple while Eric Kennedy came off the bench to do the same and the Panthers’ lead was 26-1. Minford finally scored again on a foul shot by Tyler Gaines with 5:02 left.

The Falcons first field goal came on a 3-pointer by Brett Taylor at the 3:31 mark but they trailed 34-5.

Two baskets by Colin Kennedy had the lead at 38-8. Austin McMasters made a layup and then converted a 3-point play with seven-tenths of a second on the clock to put Chesapeake ahead 43-11 at the break.

McMasters had 12 of his 14 rebounds in the first half including six on the offensive end. Kennedy had six of his 10 boards in the half.

“Colin and Austin both crashed the boards well on offense,” said Davis.

The Panthers maintained their focus in the second half as well. They outscored the Falcons 22-7 in the third quarter as the lead swelled to 65-18.

The reserves took over for good and played all of the fourth quarter as they played the Falcons even.

McMasters had 20 points to lead four Panthers in double figures. Copley scored 17 points to go with three assists and four steals. Colin Kennedy had 12 points and 12 boards while Eric Kennedy added 11 points.

Minford (8-14) was led by Taylor with nine points. Ethan Butcher had 11 rebounds.

Chesapeake (20-1) will now play Wellston at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Ohio University Convocation Center in the district semifinals. Wellston managed to get past River Valley 33-31.

Minford 1 10 7 13 = 31

Chesapeake 17 26 22 13 = 78

MINFORD (8-14): Brett Taylor 1 2 1-1 9, Seth Lloyd 0 1 1-2 4, Ethan Butcher 0 0 2-2 2, Mark Slone 1 0 1-2 3, Craig Miller 0 0 2-2 2, Tyler Gaines 0 0 1-2 1, Tyler Smith 1 0 0-0 2, Jared McCray 1 0 0-0 2, Eli Duduit 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Evans 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 10-42 8-11 31. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 3-15. Rebounds: 8 offense, 21 defense = 29 (Butcher 11). Team rebound: 2. Assists: 2. Steals: 2. Turnovers: 23.

CHESAPEAKE (20-1): Nathan Copley 3 3 2-2 17, Patrick Hintz 0 0 0-0 0, Javon Thompson 1 0 0-0 2, Austin McMaster 9 0 2-3 20, Colin Kennedy 5 0 2-2 12, Eric Kennedy 4 0 3-4 11, Brandon Noble 2 1 2-2 9, Nick Duffield 0 0 2-2 2, Taylor Banaei 1 0 0-0 2, Nate Jones 0 0 0-0 0, Chad Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Seth Skeens 0 1 0-0 3, Mike Walters 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Lindsey 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 30-67 13-15 78. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 18 offense, 25 defense = 43 (McMaster 14, C. Kennedy 10). Team rebounds: 6. Assists: 11 (Copley 3, McMaster 2). Steals: 15 (Copley 4, E. Kennedy 3). Turnovers: 6.