Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — The Big 2 got some help from the other 5.

While Brad Meadows and Gage Rhoades continued to be the main weapons for Chesapeake, it was the Panthers other players who made key contributions in a 69-61 upset win over the Huntington St. Joseph Fighting Irish on Tuesday.

“It’s amazing for those kids to do what they did. Huntington St. Joe has got a lot of talent,” said Panthers’ coach Ryan Davis.

Meadows had 18 points and dominated the boards with a career-high 25 rebounds — 14 in the first half and 12 on the offensive end — while Rhoades added 15 points for the Panthers (2-0).

But there was plenty of support help.

Casey McComas scored 10 points in the win, Austin Hutchison and Wes Stephens had 8 each and Cole Mills and Kolton Webb combined for 10 points.

Keith Clemons had 19 points, John Dalton 17 and DeAundra Murphy 13 to pace the Irish (0-1).

St. Joseph took a 16-13 first quarter before the Panthers stormed back behind 10 points by Meadows to take a 36-30 halftime lead.

Rhoades scored 6 points in a third quarter as Chesapeake extended its lead to 55-44.

The Panthers opened up an 18-pointer lead in the fourth quarter before the Irish mounted a comeback that fell short.

Although Kolton Webb had only 4 points, Davis said his presence was even more valuable with the injury to guard Jake Stevens.

“We played well early. Not having Jake Stevens limits our guard play. They tried to take Gage away and Kolton ran the point and did a good job,” said Davis.

The Panthers were 29-of-65 from the field for 45 percent. The defense limited the Irish to 22-of-59 shooting for 37 percent including a mere 5-of-28 from behind the arc.

Chesapeake hosts Gallipolis on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Hunt. St. Joe 16 14 14 17 = 61

Chesapeake 13 23 19 14 = 69

HUNT. ST. JOSEPH (0-1): John Dalton 4 2 3-3 17, Keith Clemons 6 1 4-6 19, DeAundra Murphy 4 1 2-2 13, Travis McNeil 0 1 0-0 3, John Morrison 1 0 0-0 2, Jacob Streiter 2 0 3-4 7. Totals: 22-59 12-15 61. 3-point goals: 5-28. Rebounds: 37. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (2-0): Austin Hutchison 4 0 0-0 8, Casey McComas 2 2 0-0 10, Cole Mills 0 2 0-0 6, Kolton Webb 2 0 0-0 4, Gage Rhoades 6 1 0-1 15, Brad Meadows 7 0 4-10 18, Wes Stephens 3 0 2-2 8. Totals: 29-65 6-13 69. 3-point goals: 5-12. Rebounds: 48 (Meadows 25). Assists: 16 (Webb 8, Rhoades 3, Meadows 3). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.