By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

CHESAPEAKE — They were the preseason favorites for a reason.

The Chesapeake Panthers were everyone’s pick to win the Ohio Valley Conference this season, and they did just that in convincing fashion throughout the entire league schedule including Friday’s title clinching 80-28 rout of the Coal Grove Hornets.

The Panthers finished 10-0 in the OVC and have not had a win of less than 25 points in the league. Ranked second in the AP poll, they are 19-1 overall. They went unbeaten in the conference after a win Saturday against Fairland.

Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis gave a lot of credit to seniors Nathan Copley and Colin Kennedy.

“The maturity and focus of the seniors meant so much. They made sure everyone did their job,” said Davis who has guided the Panthers to three straight conference titles in his four seasons.

“Our guys played hard and they guarded. They’re focused on getting better every game, running the offense each possession. We didn’t let up tonight.”

Austin McMaster had 18 points to lead a balanced Chesapeake offense. Copley scored 16 and Kennedy had 12.

McMaster scored nine points and Kennedy six as Chesapeake exploded for 32 points in the first quarter while holding the Hornets to eight.

Copley had seven points and McMaster six in the second quarter and the lead grew to 49-17 at the break.

The Panthers held Coal Grove to only two points in the third quarter and senior Seth Skeens hit a 3-pointer to highlight the offense as the cushion went to 67-19.

Coal Grove 8 9 2 9 = 28

Chesapeake 32 17 18 13 = 80

COAL GROVE (2-18, 1-9): Boo Woods 2 0 1-4 5, Rye Goodwin 1 0 2-2 4, Jacob Pauley 1 0 0-0 2, Austin Barker 0 0 1-2 1, Conor Markins 1 1 0-0 5, Bryan Jenkins 2 0 1-2 5, Cameron Rowe 0 1 1-2 4, T.J. Barrett 0 0 0-1 0, Brandon Doyle 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 8 2 6-13 28. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (18-1, 9-0): Nick Duffield 0 0 0-2 0, Taylor Banaei 2 1 0-0 7, Nathan Copley 4 2 2-2 16, Patrick Hintz 1 1 0-0 5, Mike Walters 0 0 0-1 0, Caleb Lindsey 0 0 0-0 0, Eric Kennedy 3 0 1-2 7, Brandon Noble 1 0 0-0 2, Nate Jones 0 0 0-2 0, Javon Thompson 2 0 2-3 6, Austin McMaster 8 0 2-5 18, Chad Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Seth Skeens 2 1 0-0 7, Colin Kennedy 4 0 4-4 12. Totals: 27 5 11-21 80. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.