Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

LUCASVILLE — Before the season, it was thought that the Chesapeake Panthers would be able to score some points.
Those thoughts turned to reality on Tuesday as the Panthers opened the season by placing four players in double figures en route to an 84-45 rout of the Lucasville Valley Indians.
Levi Blankenship scored 20 points including 11-of-13 at the foul line to lead the offensive attack. Josh Cox scored 12 points, Trent Dearth had 11 points and Travis Grim added 10.
Nathan Cox just missed double figures with 9 points.
Mason Zaler had 19 points and Kayden Mollette 10 for the Indians.
The Panthers bolted to a 17-9 first quarter lead as five different players scored. Mollette had 7 of Valley’s 9 points.
Nathan Cox hit a triple and scored 5 points while Blankenship was 4-of-5 at the line and the Panthers went up 32-18 at the half.
The Chesapeake offense shifted into high gear in the third quarter as Blankenship scored 8 points, Josh Cox had 6 and Grim knocked down a 3-pointer as the Panthers took a 53-36 lead.
Zaler scored 6 points while Mollette and Ty Perkins each hit 3-pointers for the Indians.
Chesapeake converted all 11 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter as six of the eight different players who scored made foul shots.
Jacob Lemley scored all 7 of his points including a 3-pointer while Dilen Caldwell hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points as the Panthers scored 31 points in the fourth quarter.
Zaler scored 6 points and Perkins made a triple for Valley.
Chesapeake plays at Rock Hill next Tuesday.
Chesapeake 17 15 21 31 = 84
Lucasville 9 9 18 9 = 45
CHESAPEAKE (1-0): Travis Grim 1 2 2-2 10, Nathan Cox 3 1 0-0 9, Levi Blankenship 3 1 11-13 20, Dilen Caldwell 2 1 0-0 7, Austin Jackson 2 0 2-3 6, Trent Dearth 4 0 3-4 11, Josh Cox 5 0 2-2 12, Ethan Taylor 1 0 0-0 2, Jacob Lemley 1 1 2-2 7. Totals: 22 6 22-26 84. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.
LUCASVILLE VALLEY (0-1): George Arnett 0 0 0-0 0, Brecken Williams 1 0 0-0 2, Ty Perkins 0 2 1-2 7, Dylan Ellis 0 0 0-0 0, Carter Nickel 1 0 0-0 2, Kayden Mollette 0 3 1-4 10, Jared Gahm 0 0 0-0 0, Devin Stiltner 1 0 3-4 5, Nick Mowery 0 0 0-0 0, Mason Zaler 8 0 3-5 19. Totals; 11 5 8-15 45. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Zaler.