Panthers roll by Trojans in OVC
Published 5:08 am Wednesday, January 7, 2015
![Chesapeake Panthers’ senior center Aaron Thompson (right) blocks a shot by Portsmouth’s Hunter Gibson. The Panthers beat Portsmouth 68-53 on Tuesday in an OVC game. (Kent Sanborn of Southern Ohio Sports Photos)](https://www.irontontribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2015/01/Thompson-on-web.jpg)
Chesapeake Panthers’ senior center Aaron Thompson (right) blocks a shot by Portsmouth’s Hunter Gibson. The Panthers beat Portsmouth 68-53 on Tuesday in an OVC game. (Kent Sanborn of Southern Ohio Sports Photos)
Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com
CHESAPEAKE — The showdown for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference turned into a one-team showcase.
Chesapeake played well on offense and defense and dominated the boards as the Panthers beat the Portsmouth Trojans 68-53 on Tuesday.
“We played really well defensively the first half,” said Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis.
“We shot the ball pretty well and we took good shots. Brad Meadows dominated the boards and that was a big key for us. Austin Carpenter came in and gave us some great minutes.”
Chesapeake was 28 of 54 from the field for 52 percent while Portsmouth was 21 of 52 shooting for 40 percent including 7 of 21 from the 3-point arc.
Brad Meadows was a key to the Panthers all-around performance with 25 points, 24 rebounds and 3 steals. Gage Rhoades had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Nate Smith had 9 points and 4 assists.
Portsmouth’s Ky’re Allison had a game-high 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
With the win, Chesapeake — ranked 10th in the Associated Press poll — is now 8-0 overall and is 3-0 in the OVC. Portsmouth fell to 7-2 and 3-1.
Meadows scored 10 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 20-14 lead.
The defense held the Trojans to 5 points in the second quarter and the Panthers opened up a 38-19 halftime cushion.
Allison scored 14 points in the third quarter as Portsmouth attempted to make a comeback.
Allison had 7 more points in the fourth quarter by Meadows also had 7 points as the Panthers cruised to the win.
On Friday, Chesapeake visits Ironton and Portsmouth travels to Fairland.
Portsmouth 14 5 19 15 = 53
Chesapeake 20 18 15 15 = 68
PORTSMOUTH (7-2, 3-1): Sky Oliver 1 4 0-0 14, Ky’re Allison 10 2 3-3 29, Alex Dickerson 1 00-0 2, Kendall Reynolds 2 0 1-2 5, Cole Lowery 0 1 0-0 3, Hunter Gibson 0 0 0-2 0, Zack Delotell 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-52 4-7 53. 3-point goals: 7-21. Rebounds: 8-O, 16-D = 24 (Allison 13). Assists: 4. Steals: 6. Blocked shots: 3. Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (8-0, 3-0): Jake Stevens 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Carpenter 3 0 0-0 6, Kolton Webb 2 1 0-1 7, Nate Smith 3 1 0-2 9, Gage Rhoades 7 0 5-6 19, Brad Meadows 10 0 5-7 25, Wes Stephens 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Thompson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 28-54 10-16 68. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 11-O, 24-D = 35 (Meadows 24, Rhoades 8). Assists: 9 (Smith 4). Steals: 10 (Rhoades 4, Meadows 3). Turnovers: 13. Blocked shots: 1. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.