Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake Panthers are still rollin’.

The Panthers hosted the rival Fairland Dragons in a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday and Chesapeake came away with a 55-45 win to remain unbeaten.

Ranked ninth in the current Associated Press Division III poll, the Panthers got 19 points form Gage Rhoades, 12 from Brad Meadows and Nate Smith hit three 3-pointers as they improved to 12-0 overall and stayed atop the OVC at 6-0.

Fairland was needing a win to stay on the Panthers’ heels. The Dragons are 9-3 overall but slip to 3-2 in the OVC.

Chance Short scored a game-high 23 points to lead Fairland. Isaiah Howell and Kollin Van Horn scored 8 points each.

Chesapeake used a pair of 3-pointers by Smith and 5 points by Rhoades to take a 15-10 first quarter lead.

The Panthers continued to add to their lead as they held Fairland to 7 points in the second quarter and went ahead 29-17 at the half.

Rhoades had 6 points in the third quarter as Chesapeake extended the lead to 45-30. Short scored 11 of the Dragons’ 13 points in the quarter.

Short had 6 more points in the fourth quarter as Fairland tried to rally, but Jake Stevens and Rhoades each went 2 for 2 at the foul line to seal the win.

Chesapeake was at North Adams on Saturday and visits River Valley on Tuesday. Fairland hosts Rock Hill on Tuesday in a league game.

Fairland 10 7 13 15 = 45

Chesapeake 15 14 16 10 = 55

FAIRLAND (9-3, 3-2): Chance Short 5 3 4-4 23, Gunner Short 0 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Howell 4 0 0-0 8, Nathan Campbell 0 0 0-0 0, Ty Staten 0 0 0-0 0, Luke Thomas 0 1 0-0 3, Tyler Campbell 1 0 1-2 3, Kollin Van Horn 3 0 2-3 8. Totals: 13 4 7-9 45. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (12-0, 6-0): Jake Stevens 0 1 2-2 5, Austin Carpenter 1 0 0-0 2, Kolton 0 1 0-0 3, Nate Smith 0 3 0-0 9, Gage Rhoades 7 0 5-6 19, Brad Meadows 6 0 0-0 12, Aaron Thompson 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 16 5 8-10 55. Fouls: 8. Fouled out: None.

 

Ohio Valley Conference

Boys’ Basketball Standings

Through Friday’s Games

OVC ALL

W L W L

Chesapeake 6 0 12 0

Portsmouth 5 1 9 3

Fairland 3 2 9 3

Ironton 2 3 4 7

Coal Grove 2 4 5 7

Rock Hill 1 5 4 8

South Point 1 5 2 9