Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — What started as a basketball game turned into a high school version of the Elks Hoop Shoot contest.

The Chesapeake Panthers and River Valley Raiders combined to shot 80 free throws as the Panthers posted a 69-50 season opening win on Tuesday.

Chesapeake was 28 of 43 from the line and the Raiders were 24 of 37. There were 59 total fouls whistled on the teams.

“We shot as many free throws in the game as we do in practice,” said Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis with tongue firmly in his cheek.

“It’s hard to get something out of a game like that. It’s good to come out of it with a win.”

Gage Rhoades scored 22 points to lead the Panthers. Brad Meadows had 15 points and Jake Stevens scored 11 — all at the foul line.

Tyler Twyman had 15 points, Jonathan Qualls 11 and Justin Rusk 10 for the Raiders.

Meadows had 5 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 12-6 lead.

Rhoades got 7 points in the second quarter as the lead went to 31-19 at the break.

The Panthers extended the lead to 47-31 after three quarters as Rhoades scored 10 points in the quarter.

The Panthers were 16 of 25 from the foul line in the fourth quarter with Stevens making 9 of 12. River Valley shot 17 free throws in the quarter.

Chesapeake will host South Point on Friday in their first Ohio Valley Conference game.

River Valley 6 13 12 19 = 50

Chesapeake 12 19 16 22 = 69

RIVER VALLEY (0-1): Dayton Hardaway 2 0 0-0 4, Kirk Morrow 1 0 3-8 5, Tyler Twyman 1 2 7-10 15, Jonathan Qualls 3 1 2-3 11, Brycen Hatfield 0 0 1-2 1, Justin Rusk 2 0 6-6 10, Austin Neekamp 0 0 2-2 2, Jacob Dovenbarger 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Lee 0 0 1-2 1, Mark Wray 0 0 2-4 2. Totals: 9 3 24-37 50. Fouls: 30. Fouled out: Dovenbarger.

CHESAPEAKE (1-0): Austin Hutchison 0 0 0-0 0, Jake Stevens 0 0 11-14 11, Casey McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Carpenter 3 0 1-2 7, Colton Webb 1 2 0-0 8, Nate Smith 0 0 1-2 1, David Dotson 0 0 0-0 0, Gage Rhoades 5 3 3-6 22, Brad Meadows 3 0 9-13 15, Wes Stephens 1 0 0-0 2, Aaron Thompson 0 0 3-6 3. Totals: 13 5 28-43 69. Fouls: 29 Fouled out: Smith.