Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The win meant something to the Chesapeake Lady Panthers.

The loss meant even more to the Fairland Lady Dragons.

The Lady Panthers’ 45-39 upset win over Fairland on Monday costs the Lady Dragons a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship, thus ending a three-year title run.

Chesapeake coach Chris Ball was happy with the win, but didn’t put any extra emphasis on the outcome.

“You can’t put too much emphasis on one win, but we hope it is a momentum builder for us going into the tournament,” said Ball whose team is now 12-9 overall and finishes 6-6 in the OVC.

Fairland is 16-5 and finishes 10-2 in the league. Ironton — who split with Fairland this season — won the title by beating Coal Grove 73-37 on Monday.

Kaylee Curry had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead Chesapeake. Sydnee Hall had 17 points — she was 11-of-14 at the line — to go with six rebounds, two steals and two assists.

Atiya Spaulding had five rebounds and two steals while Kelsey Curry had three steals and two assists.

“Kaylee has a nice inside-outside game. When we can get Sydnee to the line, we have a good chance to win,” said Ball.

Kelsey Riley led Fairland with 18 points. Leading scorer Caitlyn Stone was held to 3 points.

“Kelsey Riley is a pretty good player, but we were able to keep their shooters in check. Kelsey Curry and Bailey Mills and Kelsey Huff all did an excellent job defend Stone. She’s such a great shooter,” said Ball.

“We played under control for the most part in our four quarter and we worked hard on defense.”

Riley had 4 points as Fairland took an 8-6 first quarter lead.

Kaylee Curry scored 12 points with a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter as Chesapeake rallied to take a 19-17 halftime lead. Riley scored 6 points for Fairland.

Kaylee Curry hit another trifecta and scored 5 points and Bailey Mills made a key 3-pointer as Chesapeake took a 29-26 lead in the third quarter. Mackenzie Riley had 4 points for Fairland.

Hall scored 12 points including 8-of-10 from the foul line and Kaylee Curry 4-of-4 as the Lady Panthers were 12-of-14 from the line in the fourth quarter.

Chesapeake plays at Wayne at 1 p.m. Saturday. Fairland visits Jackson on Thursday.

Chesapeake 6 13 10 16 = 45

Fairland 8 9 9 13 = 39

CHESAPEAKE (12-9, 6-6): Kelsey Curry 0 0 0-0 0, Atiya Spaulding 1 0 0-2 2, Bailey Mills 0 1 0-0 3, Kelsey Huff 0 0 0-0 0, Kaylee Curry 3 3 6-6 21, Jozy Jones 0 0 0-0 0, Sydnee Hall 3 0 11-14 17, Natalee Hall 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 12 4 19-24 45. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (16-5, 10-2): Emily Chapman 0 1 0-0 3, Maddy Kazee 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Staten 0 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Riley 2 0 5-10 9, Kelsey Riley 7 0 4-8 18, Caitlyn Stone 0 1 0-0 3, Jenna Fulks 1 0 2-4 4, Alesha Simpson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 2 11-22 39. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Fulks.