Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WAVERLY — The R and R the Chesapeake Lady Panthers got wasn’t rest and relaxation, but instead they were restless and rattled.

Unable to overcome their jitters, the Lady Panthers lost 51-35 to the Nelsonville-York Lady Buckeyes on Monday in the Division III district semifinals.

Chesapeake shot 12-of-55 from the field for 22 percent. They were only 6-of-42 over the first three quarters for 14 percent and they committed 24 of their 26 turnovers during that span.

“We felt good coming in. I felt like we matched up well with these guys, but we came out the first half and we just kind of came out and just never shook off the butterflies and the nerves the entire half,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

Ball said he called two timeouts in the first quarter to try and settle his team down. In fact, Nelsonville-York’s coach Amanda Dalton also called a timeout.

“If we played them again tomorrow night, I wouldn’t change anything as far as Xs and Os. If I wanted to change anything, it would be our mindset,” said Ball.

“The first two minutes of the game, you’re a little bit nervous. When the first bead of sweat comes off of you, the nerves should be gone. I feel like we didn’t shake the nerves until the third quarter. That was two quarters too late. We didn’t shoot well, but our shot selection led to that I’m sure.”

Natalee Hall hit a 17-footer with 6:33 left in the first quarter that got Chesapeake even at 2-2, but it was all N-Y from that point on.

A 3-poin play by Jessie Addis gave the Lady Buckeyes an 18-3 first quarter lead and it was 22-3 before Chesapeake scored again.

The Lady Panthers went nearly six minutes between scores. A foul shot by Kelsey Curry had Chesapeake down 27-11 with 3:13 left in the half, but the Lady Panthers would get no closer.

Chesapeake was 3-of-26 from the field in the first half.

“We’re trying to talk to them about relaxing,” said Ball. “I thought our halfcourt offensive shot selection led to their easy baskets and obviously the turnovers, too.

“The Addis girl was better than advertised. She was quicker than I thought and just better overall. She caused us a lot of problems tonight.”

Down 33-11 at the half, Chesapeake fell behind 44-20 at the end of the third quarter by shooting 3-of-16 in the quarter.

The Lady Panthers made as many field goals in the fourth quarter — six — as they did over the first three quarters combined.

Kaylee Curry had 10 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Panthers who finished 14-10. Natalee Hall had 8 points and seven rebounds.

Kaitlyn Hurd scored 19 points and Addis 17 to lead N-Y who now plays Ironton at 8:15 p.m. Friday in the district finals.

Ball praised his two seniors Kelsey Curry and Sydnee Hall who held the team win three sectionals during their careers for a program that had just two titles previously.

“They came here and planted a seed that I hope someone will come and run with. We’ve got some girls back we can work with. We’re still looking for that first district win, so we’re going to continue to fight and try and get that,” said Ball.

Chesapeake 3 8 9 15 = 35

Nelsonville 18 15 11 7 = 51

CHESAPEAKE (14-10): Kelsey Curry 1 1 1-2 6, Atiya Spaulding 0 0 0-2 0, Kaylee Curry 3 0 4-6 10, Sydnee Hall 0 0 1-2 1, Natalee Hall 2 1 1-4 8, Bailey Mills 2 1 0-0 7, Brooke Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Jozy Jones 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Huff 0 1 0-0 3, Denise Crawford 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-55 7-16 35. 3-point goals: 4-15. Rebounds: 19-off. 21-def. = 40 (Ka. Curry 9, N. Hall 7, S. Hall 5, Spaulding 5). Team rebounds: 6. Assists: 1 (S. hall). Steals: 11 (N. Hall 3, Ke. Curry 3). Turnovers: 26. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

NELSONVILLE-YORK (21-3): Jessie Addis 7 0 3-5 17, Madison Davis 3 0 0-1 6, Hanna Taylor 0 0 0-0 0, Samantha Taylor 1 0 2-2 4, Kaitlyn Hurd 7 1 2-4 19, Camryn Dupler 1 1 0-0 5, Tori Campbell 0 0 0-2 0, Emma Frazier 0 0 0-0 0, Trisha Carr 0 0 0-0 0, Chelsie Mays 0 0 0-0 0, Sidney Fick 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Fick 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-54 7-14 51. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 16-off. 26-def. = 42 (Davis 12, Taylor 6, Hurd 6). Team rebounds: 8. Assists: 5 (Addis 2, Hurd 2). Steals: 16 (Hurd 5, Addis 4). Turnovers: 22. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.