Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — Taller proved to be better.
The Chesapeake Lady Panthers used their size to an advantage as they opened the season with a 50-37 win over the West Carter Lady Comets on Tuesday.
“We knew coming into the game we knew we had a height advantage. We just had to be patient and take what came to us,” said Lady Panthers’ coach Chris Ball.
“Overall I was pleased with our effort. They have a lot of good shooting guards and we guarded the 3-point line well. But we still have a lot of work to do.”
Natalee Hall led Chesapeake with a game-high 20 points. She also had seven rebounds and four assists.
Brooke Webb added 12 points, five assists, seven steals and four blocked shots for the Lady Panthers.
Karlie Davis led with eight rebounds, Jozy Jones grabbed six and Dominique Murphy had three blocked shots.
“They had no answer for Hall. She carried us offensively,” said Ball. “Webb played well overall. She had 12 points and a bunch of rebounds, steals and blocks.”
Hall scored 8 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 14-5 lead. Each team scored 8 points in the second quarter and it was 22-13 at the half.
Hall got 7 more points in the third quarter to help offset 10 points by Kallie Burchetta and the Lady Panthers extended the lead to 37-27.
Chesapeake outscored the Lady Comets 13-10 in the fourth quarter.
Burchetta scored 16 points to lead West Carter.
The Lady Panthers visit Gallipolis on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
West Carter    5    8    14    10    =    37
Chesapeake    14    8    15    13    =    50
WEST CARTER (0-1): Hannah Bear 2 0 0-0 4, Ragan Adkins 0 0 0-0 0, Kylie Gilliam 0 0 2-2 2, Cheyanne Zeigler 3 0 0-6 6, Allie Stone 0 1 2-2 5, Madison Hanshaw 0 0 4-4 4, Kallie Burchetta 3 1 7-8 16. Totals: 8 2 15-22 37. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (1-0): Chloe Handley 0 0 0-0 0, Karli Davis 1 0 2-2 4, Haley Stapleton 1 0 0-0 2, Brooke Webb 6 0 0-0 12, Corrine Ferguson 2 0 0-0 4, Jozy Jones 3 0 2-2 8, Natalee Hall 8 0 4-5 20, Dominique Murphy 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 0 8-9 50. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.