ATHENS – Albany Alexander’s upset bubble didn’t burst.

Sunday, February 25, 2001

ATHENS – Albany Alexander’s upset bubble didn’t burst. It exploded.

The Spartans were up 4-2 to at the 7:15 mark of the first quarter against No. 2 seeded and fifth-ranked Chesapeake. The Panthers then erupt for 26 unanswered points to take a 28-4 lead.

By the time Alexander sank two foul shots at the 1:07 mark, the damage was irrepairable.

Bobby Barbour had 11 points and Anthony Delimpo six in the run as Chesapeake improved to 21-1 on the season.

"We intimidated them by blocking shots inside. It got us where we wanted to be out on the fastbreak where we could get some easy baskets. We passed the ball as well as we ever have," Panthers coach Norm Persin said.

Chesapeake will play in the district tournament at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Ohio University against Unioto.

Chesapeake was up 45-17 at the half and outscored the Spartans 30-12 the third quarter as Persin emptied his bench in taking a 75-29 lead.

Despite the lopsided win, Persin wasn’t totally pleased.

"We didn’t do a good job defending the ball all night. People might have thought we did a good job, but we have to get better especially if we’re going to make a run in the tournament," said Persin.

Barbour finished with a career-high 29 points while Delimpo had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Zeb Best added six rebounds.

Justin Brooks topped Alexander with 11 points.

The Panthers were 38-of-63 from the field for 60.3 percent. They dominated the rebounding 37-22.

Alexander 6 11 12 9 – 38

Chesapeake 30 15 30 20 – 95

ALBANY ALEXANDER : Michael Hawk 2 0 1-4 5, L.C. Grigsby 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Brooks 1 1 6-6 11, Zach Lustgarten 1 0 0-0 2, Ryan Lawson 0 0 0-0 0, Shawn Bail 1 0 3-6 5, Dillon Walker 2 0 1-3 5, Stephen Crook 1 0 0-3 2, Kirk Crowe 0 0 2-2 2, Jason Warren 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 11-36 13-24 95. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 27. Rebounds: 22 (42 had8).

CHESAPEAKE (21-1): Adam Webb 4 0 0-0 8, Bobby Barbour 10 2 3-3 29, Aaron Gossett 2 1 0-0 7, Nick Karle 3 0 2-4 8, Josh Waugh 0 0 2-2 2, Joey Macri 0 0 0-0 0, Beckett Gue 1 1 1-2 6, Matt Miller 1 1 2-2 7, Abe Huff 1 0 0-0 2, Brad Fulton 2 0 0-0 4, Zeb Best 4 0 0-0 8, Anthony Delimpo 6 0 2-2 14. Totals: 38-63 12-15 95. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 10. Rebounds: 37 (Delimpo 12, Best 6).