Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — You know it’s better to start your Christmas shopping early, but you wait until the last couple of weeks.

The Chesapeake Panthers knew they should play well at the start of the game, but they waited around until the second half before turning it on as they beat the Gallipolis Blue Devils 55-30 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

The Panthers (3-0, 2-0) led just 7-4 at the end of the first quarter. Gage Rhoades then scored 13 points in the second quarter as Chesapeake began to look through the gift catalog and go up 24-12 at the half.

Rhoades had 8 more points in the third quarter as the Panthers built a 38-20 cushion and coasted the final quarter.

Rhoades finished with a game-high 27 points to lead Chesapeake. Brad Meadows added 12 points.

Evan Wiseman scored 15 points for the Blue Devils (1-2 0-2).

Chesapeake play Athens on Saturday and visits South Point on Tuesday. Gallipolis travels to Rock Hill on Tuesday.

Gallipolis 4 8 8 10 = 30

Chesapeake 7 17 14 17 = 55

GALLIPOLIS (1-2, 0-2): Wes Jarrell 1 0 3-6 5, Evan Wiseman 6 1 0-1 15, Cole Carter 0 0 2-2 2, Russell Matthew 0 1 0-0 3, Justin McClelland 0 0 1-2 1, Devin Henry 1 0 0-0 2, Justin Peck 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 9 2 6-11 30. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (3-0, 1-0): Casey McComas 0 2 0-0 6, Cole Mills 1 0 0-0 2, Kolton Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Kelton Jones 0 0 0-1 0, Gage Rhoades 13 0 1-4 27, Brad Meadows 6 0 0-0 12, Ty Wilcoxon 1 0 0-0 2, Wes Stephens 2 0 0-2 4, Austin Browning 0 0 2-4 2. Totals: 23 2 3-11 55. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.