By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PROCTORVILLE — You should have seen the one that got away.

No, this was no fisherman’s story. It was more of a horror story for the Chesapeake Panthers but a fairy tale finish for the Fairland Dragons.

In a battle for sole possession of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference race, the showdown between unbeaten was just what would be expected in terms of a battle.

But the loss was devastating to the Panthers who once held an 11-point lead and were up by 7 in the fourth quarter only to see Fairland tie the game and then win 55-49 in double overtime.

The win gives Fairland at least a share of the OVC title. Chesapeake must win at Ironton on Monday and against Fairland next Friday.

“It was a great game. Both teams played hard. But I’m proud of my kids because they never quit. We were down the whole game until the end of regulation when we tied it and they got our first lead in the second overtime,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“I don’t think anyone gave this team much of a chance before the season, but they have worked hard and believed in themselves. Brody Buchanan came up big in the clutch with his play but he also did a great job as a leader.”

Brody Buchanan was Prince Charming for the Dragons as he scored 30 points including all but 2 in the fourth quarter comeback as Fairland outscored Chesapeake 17-8.

“I’m not trying to lose. I hate losing,” said Buchanan as he explained why he played so well in the fourth quarter.

Chesapeake (18-2, 11-1) took a 28-17 lead to start the second half when Karson Frecka put back his own shot. A 3-pointer by Trevor Lochow got Fairland within 30-25 but Frecka scored 3 points and Ethan Kerns had a layup and it was 35-25.

The Dragons  (18-1, 13-0) were within 43-40 after an 18-footer by Buchanan, but layups by Kaden Perkins and Maddox Kazee gave Chesapeake a 47-40.

Keegan Smith hit a layup and then Buchanan drilled a 3-pointer, came up with a steal and layup to tie the game with 1:46 to play.

Chesapeake turned the ball over and Fairland played for the last shot only to be fouled with one second left and Buchanan wasn’t able to connect

There was only one shot in the first overtime — a missed layup by Chesapeake — and Fairland took its first lead of the game as Smith hit the second of 2 free throws to make it 48-47.

Buchanan made a layup with 1:02 left on the clock and then made 2 of 4 free throw attempts for a 52-47 lead.

Perkins hit a pair of foul shots with 19 seconds to go and it was 52-49, but Cliff Fransen hit a foul shot with 16 seconds left and Buchanan sank 2 free throws.

Chesapeake led 13-7 after the first quarter and 26-17 at the half. Fairland actually got within 2 points in the second quarter but Kazee hit back to back

While Buchanan scored just 7 points in the first half and 23 after halftime, Panthers’ leading scorer Kazee was held to just 2 points after scoring 15 in the first half.

“I like guarding the other team’s best player. They’re going to hit some shots. He hit some great shots tonight, but I’m not going to be derailed of my confidence on the defensive end,” said Buchanan

“It’s one possession at a time. He makes one shot, I’m going to come down and try to get a stop the next play.”

Fransen scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds for Fairland.

Kazee led Fairland with 17 points while Perkins scored 12 and Frecka 11.

Chesapeake 13 13 13 8 0 2 = 49

Fairland 7 10 13 17 0 8 = 55

CHESAPEAKE (18-2, 11-1): Ethan Kerns 2-4 1-2 0-0 7, Jon Cooper Barker 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Drew Plantz 0-0 0-1 0-0 0, Kaden Perkins 5-9 0-1 2-2 12, Maddox Kazee 3-10 3-5 2-2 17, Philip Thacker 0-0 0-4 0-0 0, Karson Frecka 5-9 0-0 1-3 11, Jacob Skeens 1-2 0-0 0-0 2. Totals: 20-47 5-7 49. 3-pt goals: 4-13. Rebounds: 18 (Kazee 5, Perkins 3). Assists: 4 (Kazee 3). Turnovers: 7. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

FAIRLAND (18-1, 13-0): Gabe Polcyn 2-2 0-0 0-0 4, Trevor Lochow 0-1 1-4 0-0 3, Cliff Fransen 1-2 3-10 1-2 12, Keegan Smith 1-1 1-6 1-4 6, Brody Buchanan 9-13 2-7 6-9 30. Totals: 20-46 8-15 55. 3-pt goals: 7-27. Rebounds: 24 (Fransen 7, Polcyn 7, Buchanan 5). Assists: 8 (Smith 3, Buchanan 2, Lüchow 2). Steals: 4 (Fransen 2). Turnovers: 4. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.