By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

CHESAPEAKE — You’ve seen the signs at ballgames: D-fence. D-fense.

Defense was the name of the game and the Chesapeake Lady Panthers got the names right as they battled to a 52-38 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Coal Grove Lady Hornets on Thursday.

“Both teams played tremendous defense. I give Coal Grove credit. They did a good job doubling down on (Amanda) Ruffner,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“We were fortunate that some of the other girls stepped up. Sydnee Hall is a freshman and she hit some big foul shots.”

Each team focused on shutting down their opponent’s leading score and both had success. Coal Grove limited Chesapeake’s Amanda Ruffner to 11 points while the Lady Hornets’ Ashley Adkins was held to 6 points.

“They did a good job defensively shutting Adkins down. They are an aggressive team,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.

Ruffner had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 8 blocked shots as Chesapeake (9-3, 3-2) won its sixth straight. Sydnee Hall led Chesapeake with 12 points, Jordan Porter scored 11 and Jackie Nelson had 4 assists and 3 steals.

“Ruffner bailed us out on the defensive end with her eight blocks,” said Ball.

Katey Erwin scored 15 points to pace the Lady Hornets (7-3, 2-3).

Maggie Smith had 5points and Porter 4 as Chesapeake took a 13-11 first quarter lead. Erwin had 4 for the Lady Hornets.

Coal Grove only scored 2 points in the second quarter as the Lady Panthers grabbed a 23-13 halftime lead.

Erwin had 7 points and Darrien Hankins was 4-of-4 from the line in the third quarter as Coal Grove cut the deficit to 33-27.

But Hall had 6 points including 4-of-4 at the line in the fourth quarter as Chesapeake began to pull away.

The Lady Panthers converted 11-of-14 from the line in the quarter with Porter going 3-for-3 and Sarah Rice 3-for-4.

Coal Grove 11 2 14 8 = 38

Chesapeake 13 10 10 19 = 52

COAL GROVE (7-3, 2-3): Jacy Jones 2 0 0-1 4, Deanna Bentley 0 0 1-2 1, Katey Erwin 6 0 3-4 15, Ashley Adkins 2 0 2-2 6, Ashley Goad 0 0 1-2 1, Cheyenne Bellomy 0 0 0-0 0, Leah Crum 0 0 0-0 0, Amanda Collins 2 1 0-0 7, Darrien Hankins 0 0 4-6 4. Totals: 12 1 11-17 38. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Collins.

CHESAPEAKE (9-3, 3-2): Casey Underwood 0 0 0-0 0, Amanda Ruffner 5 0 1-3 11, Jackie Nelson 2 0 0-0 4, Sarah Rice 2 0 3-4 7, Sydnee Hall 4 0 4-4 12, Maggie Smith 2 1 0-0 7, Mackenzie Moore 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 3 0 5-7 11. Totals: 18 1 13-18 52. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

RESERVES: Chesapeake 27-23 OT. Chesapeake leader: Kara Bennett 8. CG leader: Leah Crum 5.