Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — It was a battle between league leaders.

Advantage: Ohio Valley Conference.

The OVC-leading Chesapeake Panthers beat the Southern Ohio Conference leading Minford Falcons 56-48 on Tuesday.

Chesapeake (19-1) won despite going scoreless in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t play too bad, but we didn’t guard them on the perimeter as well as we should,” said Panthers’ coach Ryan Davis.

Gage Rhoades had 21 points to lead the Panthers. Nate Smith added 9 points while Brad Meadows and Aaron Thompson scored 8 each.

Brandon Rowe got 18 points to lead Minford (16-3). Trey Kelley added 11 points and Jared Alley 10.

Rowe got 6 points in the first quarter as the Falcons took a 13-12 lead. Smith had 7 of his points for Chesapeake.

The Panthers rallied to take a 25-23 lead at the half and were up 40-35 at the end of the third quarter.

While the defense limited Minford to 5 points in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were scoreless and it was 40-all at the end of regulation.

“We missed four layups and had six turnovers in the fourth quarter. But on the other end, we held them to only five points,” said Davis.

Rhoades took over in overtime as he scored 12 of his points including 8-of-8 at the foul line.

Chesapeake hosts Coal Grove on Friday needed a win to clinch at least a share of the league title.

Minford 13 10 12 5 8 = 48

Chesapeake 12 13 15 0 16 = 56

MINFORD (16-3): Jared Alley 4 0 2-2 10, Kenton Gullion 2 1 0-0 7, Brandon Rowe 5 2 2-4 18, Dillon Shepherd 1 0 0-0 2, Trey Kelley 1 3 0-0 11. Totals: 13 6 4-6 48. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (19-1): Jake Stevens 1 1 0-0 5, Austin Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0, Kolton Webb 1 1 0-0 5, Nate Smith 3 1 0-0 9, Gage Rhoades 5 1 8-8 21, Brad Meadows 4 0 0-0 8, Aaron Thompson 4 0 0-1 8. Totals: 18 4 8-9 56. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.