By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

JACKSON — Behind enemy lines in the movie “Stripes,” Bill Murray said to Harold Ramis, “I have a plan.”

The Chesapeake Lady Panthers had a plan for Saturday’s Division III sectional title game against the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets and their precise execution earned them their stripes.

The Lady Panthers did exactly as planned and came away with a 53-30 romp that gave the program only its second sectional title in school history.

“We played well. It was one of those game’s when you have a plan in place, you hope to execute it and I couldn’t have asked for anything more today,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“We wanted to take away the (Jordan Davis) and we did that. We wanted to pound the ball inside and we did that. Those two things were the keys. It was nothing fancy. It was very simple and the girls made it happen.”

While the defense held Davis to just 6 points, the inside game of Chesapeake’s Amanda Ruffner and Jordan Porter went to work.

Ruffner had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots while Porter added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Sarah Rice and Jackie Nelson chipped in 3 steals each.

Chesapeake (16-6) advances to the district semifinals at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday against Adena at Waverly’s downtown arena.

“We’re pleased where we’ve gotten so far. We’re only one of two teams to come out of Chesapeake’s program to do what we’ve done, but we want to continue to play and advance in the tournament,” said Ball.

Ruffner scored 8 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake jumped in front 17-8.

Porter scored 5 points in the second quarter as the lead grew to 30-15 at the half.

In the third quarter, Chesapeake outscored Wellston 21-6 as Ruffner scored 7 points, Nelson had 6 of her 8 points and Porter sank 5 of 6 at the foul line.

“We wanted to be the aggressor,” said Ball.

Wellston ends the season 13-9.

Wellston 8 7 6 9 = 30

Chesapeake 17 13 21 2 = 53

WELLSTON (13-9): Taelor Folden 2 1 2-4 9, Jordan Davis 1 1 1-2 6, Destiny Clemons 1 0 0-0 2, Kaitlin Martin 0 0 0-0 0, Madison Kilgour 0 0 0-0 0, Brittany Newman 1 0 0-1 2, Chelsea McManaway 3 0 1-1 7, Chelsea Atchison 0 0 0-0 0, Shanea Long 1 0 0-0 2, Sami Ousley 0 0 2-2 2, Brittany Johnston 0 0 0-0 0, Amber Gilliland 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2 6-10 30. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (16-6): Chelsea Ridenour 0 0 0-0 0, Casey Underwood 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Curry 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Martin 0 0 0-0 0, Amanda Ruffner 10 0 1-2 21, Jackie Nelson 4 0 0-1 8, Sarah Rice 1 0 1-2 3, Anna Mayo 0 0 0-0 0, Sydnee Hall 1 0 0-0 2, Maggie Smith 1 1 0-0 5, Ashlee Miller 0 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Moore 0 0 0