CHESHIRE - Another year, another title.

For an amazing 10th straight season, the Chesapeake Panthers have won an Ohio Valley Conference basketball championship.

The Panthers knocked off the River Valley Raiders 53-36 Tuesday to clinch the championship.

The Panthers, ranked second in the Associated Press Division III poll, are now 17-0 overall and 8-0 in the OVC.

"It's a pretty good streak," Panthers coach Norm Persin said.

Chesapeake was a heavy favorite to repeat this season and has coasted through every game. Persin said the lack of a tight game had been a concern.

"We didn't know what to expect at times and how we'd play. We didn't know what kind of emotion they'd have. I've been pleased with our emotion so far," Persin said.

"We always came out and took care of business. The one thing that has been consistent all year has been our defense."

The defense was consistent again as the Panthers held the Raiders to 13 of 46 shooting from the field - 28 percent - and allowed single digit scoring in three of four quarters.

P.J. Rase led the Panthers with 15 points and five assists while Brennan Hall scored 12. Jeff Thornburg had seven rebounds and Brent Ransbottom grabbed five. Justin Porter added 8 points and four assists.

"Porter did a good job considering we didn't know if he'd even play. He had the flu and we didn't know if he'd even make the trip," Persin said. "Thornburg was pretty active, and Rase hit some shots early."

Rase scored 7 points in the first quarter as the Panthers went up 11-7. He had 6 more points in the second quarter as the lead was stretched to 27-17.

"We played in spurts. We came out with some energy got the lead," Persin said.

Hall had 4 points in the third quarter and the Panthers were on top 38-24. Porter had 4 points in the fourth quarter as Chesapeake built as much as a 20-point lead.

Steven Harder had 23 points for the Raiders, 8-7 and 4-3.

The Panther Hall of Fame induction before the game Friday night. Four new members are Kevin Rice (football, basketball, baseball), Mark D'Antoni (basketball), Dickie Holland (football, track), and Laura Beuhring (track, golf, basketball, volleyball).

Also, the school's 1,000th career victory celebration will be held at halftime with past players introduced. Players are asked to sign up as they enter the school.

A reception will be held after the game.

In the reserve game, Chesapeake (17-0) won 46-44 to clinch the OVC title.

Chesapeake11161115-53

River Valley78912-36

CHESAPEAKE (17-0, 8-0):

Zach Morrison 1 0 0-0 2, Caleb McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Brennan Hall 4 0 4-4 12, Mike Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Porter 4 0 0-0 8, P.J. Rase 3 2 3-4 15, Jeff Thornburg 3 0 0-0 6, Trent Finley 1 0 3-4 5, Matt Whitmore 1 0 1-2 3, Brent Ransbottom 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 20-43

(2)

11-14

53. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 33 (Thornburg 7, Ransbottom 5). Steals: 5. Assists: 16 (Rase 4, Porter 4, Ransbottom 3). Turnovers: 13.

RIVER VALLEY (8-7, 4-3):

Chris Roush 2 0 3-5 7, Cory Ehman 0 0 0-0 0, Darren Clark 0 0 2-2 2, Derek Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Tipton 0 0 0-1 0, Colby Reese 1 0 2-4 4, Steven Harder 9 1 2-4 23, Tyler Thompson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-46

(1)

9-16

36. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.