By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

CHESAPEAKE — Coach Ryan Davis will let his team celebrate for one night, but then things get serious.

Davis was happy to win but knows his team can play better after routing the Huntington (W.Va.) St. Joseph Fighting Irish 80-43 in their season opener on Tuesday.

“It wasn’t bad, but we still have work to do. We gave up a lot of easy baskets. We need to do a better job defensively,” said Davis.

Austin McMaster dominated the Irish with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Kennedy scored 18 points in the win to go with 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

Chad Meadows had 13 rebounds while Brandon Noble had 9 points and 6 rebounds as the Panthers amassed 50 rebounds — 17 on the offensive end.

Payne Meadows scored 13 points and Josh Pierson 12 for the Irish (0-1).

The Panthers jumped out to a 19-11 first quarter lead as McMaster matched the Irish total with 11 points himself.

McMaster had 9 points and Patrick Hintz had 7 of his 9 points in the second quarter as the lead went to 40-24 at the break.

Kennedy scored 6 points in the third quarter as the lead grew to 56-34 and the Panthers outscored the Irish 24-9 in the final quarter.

Chesapeake visits Gallipolis on Friday and plays East Carter, Ky., on Saturday at the University of Rio Grande Classic.

Hunt. St. Joe 11 13 10 9 = 43

Chesapeake 19 21 16 24 = 80

HUNTINGTON ST. JOSEPH (0-1): Josh Pierson 3 2 0-1 12, Ian Clark 0 0 1-4 1, Anthony Rabl 3 0 0-0 6, Zach Darby 1 0 1-2 3, Laken Brooks 1 0 0-0 2, Michael Mays 1 1 0-0 5, Payne Meadows 2 3 1-2 13. Totals: 11 6 3-9 43. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (1-0): Taylor Banaei 1 0 0-0 2, Patrick Hintz 3 1 0-0 9, Mikey Walters 0 0 0-0 0, Caleb Lindsey 1 0 0-0 2, Eric Kennedy 3 4 0-0 18, Brandon Noble 3 1 0-0 9, Javon Thompson 2 1 0-0 7, Austin McMaster 12 1 2-4 29, Chad Meadows 1 0 0-2 2, Nate Smith 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 26 8 4-8 80. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.