Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — The Fairland Dragons controlled the tempo and as a result they now control the Ohio Valley Conference race.
Fairland slowed the pace to keep the Chesapeake Panthers from their fast-paced style and the Dragons came away with a 51-34 win on Friday to take over sole possession of the OVC race.
Fairland is now 17-2 overall and 11-1 in the league with two conference games to play. Chesapeake slipped to 15-3 and 10-2.
The slower pace had an effect on the shooting rhythm of both teams.
Fairland was 13-of-43 for 30.2 percent and 7-of-21 from 3-point range for 33 percent.
Despite playing on their home court, Chesapeake shot even worse. The Panthers were 9-of-46 from the field for 19.6 percent and a woeful 2-of-23 form behind the arc for 9 percent.
Jacob Polcyn had 13 points and 5 rebounds while Gavin Hunt got 11 points and 8 rebounds to pace the Dragons.
Clayton Thomas added 9 points and 5 rebounds while Jordan Williams pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Chesapeake was led by Levi Blankenship with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Austin Jackson had 8 points and 7 rebounds.
The plan to slow down the pace of the game was evident from the start as Fairland took an 8-2 first quarter lead behind a pair of 3-pointers by Thomas.
Blankenship had the lone Panthers’ basket.
The Dragons extended the lead to 25-10 at the half as Nate Thacker drained a pair of 3-pointers and Polcyn hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points.
Travis Grim hit a 3-pointer and Blankenship converted 4-of-4 at the line for the Panthers.
Chesapeake outscored Fairland 8-5 in the third quarter to cut the spread to 30-18. Trent Dearth had 4 points for Chesapeake.
The Dragons used clutch foul shooting in the fourth quarter to secure the win. They made 16-of-19 free throws with Zander Schmidt and Polcyn going 4-for-4 and Hunt 4-for-6 as he scored 6 points.
Chesapeake went 5-for-5 at the line with Jackson scoring 6 points and Blankenship 5.
NEXT UP: Fairland goes to Huntington St. Joseph and Chesapeake host Southeastern on Tuesday.
Fairland 8 17 5 21 = 51
Chesapeake 2 8 8 16 = 34
FAIRLAND (17-2, 11-1): Jacob Polcyn 3-9 1-3 4-4 13, Aiden Porter 0-4 0-4 2-3 2, Gavin Hunt 3-7 0-0 5-7 11, Clayton Thomas 0-0 3-11 0-0 9, Jordan Williams 0-0 0-0 2-2 2, Zander Schmidt 0-1 1-1 4-4 7, Nate Thacker 0-0 2-2 0-0 6, Tevin Taylor 0-0 0-0 1-2 1. Totals: 13-43 18-22 51. 3-pt goals: 7-21. Rebounds: 38 (Williams 12, Hunt 8, Polcyn 5, Thomas 5). Assists: 7 (Polcyn 3, Williams 2). Steals: 4 (Hunt 2). Turnovers: 12. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (15-3, 10-2): Travis Grim 0-2 1-2 0-2 3, Nathan Cox 0-5 0-2 2-2 2, Levi Blankenship 3-5 0-11 5-5 Dilen Caldwell 0-1 1-3 1-2 4, Austin Jackson 3-5 0-1 2-2 8, Trent Dearth 1-4 0-2 4-4 6, Josh Cox 0-0 0-2 0-0 0, Ethan Taylor 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Jacob Lemley 0-0 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 9-46 14-17 34. 3-pt goals: 2-23. Rebounds: 17 (Jackson 7, Blankenship 5). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 7. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.