CHESAPEAKE — To say the Chesapeake Panthers were ready to play would be an understatement.

Using a tenacious defense that forced nearly 30 turnovers, the Panthers rolled to a 69-24 win over the South Point Pointers Friday in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.

“We played hard and we played intense. That was as intense as we’ve played in a long time,” Panthers coach Norm Persin said.

“We did a good job pressuring them. In most games, you might see one or possibly two 10-second calls, but never more than that and we had four.”

Chesapeake (4-0) jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter as Justin Porter and Jeffrey Thornburg scored six points each. Jeremiah Taylor had six for South Point.

With P.J. Rase scoring 11 points in the second quarter and the defense forcing turnovers, Chesapeake outscored South Point 29-6 to build a 43-13 halftime cushion.

The Panthers, who missed their first six field goal attempts, shot 18 fo 31 from the floor in the first half.

“South Point had a lot of kids back and they were pretty good, but it was a challenge for our kids. We rose to the challenge.”

Tyler Shoemaker had six points in the third quarter as Chesapeake extended its lead to 55-17.

Kyle Fuller scored five points to lead the Chesapeake backups who finished up the game.

Rase finished with 20 points. Porters scored 15 points, Shoemaker had 11 points and Thornburg 10.

Taylor had 12 points for South Point (2-1).

South Point7647=24

Chesapeake14291214=69

SOUTH POINT (2-1, 0-1): Heath Bridges 0 0 0-01 0, Aaron Barnett 1 0 0-0 2, J.T. Terry 0 0 3-4 3, Beau Weed 1 0 0-0 2, Jerrell Dean 2 0 0-1 4, Zach Woody 0 0 1-2 1, Chase McWhorter 0 0 0-0 0, Jeremiah Taylor 4 0 4-4 12. Totals: 8

0

8-12

24. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Weed.

CHESAPEAKE (4-0, 1-0):

Zach Morrison 0 0 0-2 0, Aaron Ross 0 0 0-0 0, Mike Stapleton 2 0 0-1 4, Caleb McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Rase 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Shoemaker 2 1 4-5 11, Justin Porter 6 1 0-0 15, Jeffrey Thornburg 2 2 0-0 10, P.J. Rase 6 2 2-2 20, Lendon Lezu 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Fuller 1 1 0-0 5, John Green 1 0 0-2 2, Brent Ransbottom 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 28-55

(7)

6-12

69. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 24 (Thornburg 6). Steals: 17 (Thornburg 4, P. Rase 4). Assists: 19 (P. Rase 7, Shoemaker 5). Turnovers: 14.