Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — The NBA has always had dynasty teams that featured a Big 3. The Boston Celtics have had Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Sam Jones as well as Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. The Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman and the L.A. Lakers groups like Magic Johnson, Kareem Jabbar and James Worthy.

The Chesapeake Lady Panthers might not be able to match the talent or star power, but they have their own Big 3 that will be crucial to their success.

The Big 3 is led by 5-foot-6 senior point guard Kate Ball who is a four-year starter, all-district and All-Ohio. She averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals a game last season.

“Kate is a good shooter and a great defender. She has been in the weight room some and she’s gotten stronger,” said Chesapeake head coach Chris Ball.

“We’re expecting big things from her. She runs the points and distributes the ball well. She likes to get everyone involved. She can drive and kick..”

Joining her is 5-4 senior Erin Hicks and 5-6 junior Abbey Isaacs and all three have some different talents they bring to the table.

“Offensively, Erin Hicks can shoot the ball. Erin is one of the better on-ball defenders in the conference. She’s quick and aggressive,” said coach Ball.

“Abbey Isaacs is strong and athletic. She’s quick and can score, play defense and rebound.”

Looking to fallout the starting lineup and supply help off the bench are 5-9 freshman K.J. Collins, 5-foot freshman Hollie Moore, 5-3  sophomore Sarah Dillon, 5-8 freshman Chloe Parrott, 5-7 junior Clairynn Romans, 5-1 sophomore Ciera Nichols and 5-7 sophomore Abby Mitchell.

“We know what we’re going to get from the first three. We need to find the next three or four to separate, step in there and  contribute,” said coach Ball. “We’re kind of piecing it together.”

Isaacs’ injury her shoulder last season and missed the last 12 games after having surgery. Her absence gave some of the younger girls an opportunity to play and gain some valuable playing experience.

“Sarah Dillon started for us some last year. Hannah Webb was out some last year, so Sarah got a lot of playing time as a freshman,” said coach Ball. “Clairynn Romans played some for us last year. She’s a forward. She’ll contribute. We need her to rebound. Abby Mitchell is a sophomore who is back. She played some last year and she has some potential.”

The Lady Panthers have two new faces on the roster in Nichols and Parrott.

“We like Nichols. She plays very good off-ball defense. She has a good basketball IQ,” said coach Ball. “Parrott is a little undersized but we’re hoping she can help some in the post. We don’t have a lot of size.”

Coach Ball said Collins and Moore are both freshmen but “they’re athletic and we’re hoping they can contribute. K.J. is strong and Hollie is quick, so we’re hoping to play eight to start and play more as we go on.”

With the lack of size but some speed and quickness, coach Ball said the Lady Panthers will be forced to play a certain way.

“We’ll play quick. We have to. We want to play fast and quick and get up and down the court,” said coach Ball. “We’re hoping to get some girls inducted into the system and get some confidence.”

Chesapeake Lady Panthers

2024-25 Basketball Roster

No. Player Pos. Ht. Gr.

  1 K.J. Collins G 5-09 Fr.

  2 Ava Napier G 5-03 Fr.

  3 Hollie Moore G 5-00 Fr.

  4 Olivia Harris F 5-06 Jr.

  5 Sarah Dillon G 5-03 So.

10 Erin Hicks G 5-04 Sr.

11 Chloe Parrott F 5-08 Fr.

14 Cesleigh Hathaway G 5-00 Sr.

20 Abbey Isaacs F 5-06 Jr.

21 Clairynn Romans F 5-07 Jr.

22 Kate Ball G 5-06 Sr.

23 Cierra Akers G 5-04 Sr.

24 Ciera Nichols G 5-01 So.

30 Abby Mitchell F 5-07 So.

33 Paige Corns F 5-05 So.

34 Gabby Harris F 5-04 Fr.

Head coach: Chris Ball

Assistant coaches: Josh Ward, Cody Adkins, Maddie Ward

2024-25 Basketball Schedule

November

30 SYMMES VALLEY Noon

December

  3 ROCK HILL#

  4 FAIRVIEW, Ky.

10 at Gallipolis#

13 at South Point#

14 at South Webster 1:00

17 COAL GROVE#

28 at Ironton# 1:00

30 Tolsia, W.Va.%

January

  3 FAIRLAND#

  7 PORTSMOUTH#

  8 GREENUP COUNTY, Ky.

11 at Fairview, Ky.

13 at Rock Hill#

16 at Portsmouth#

20 TOLSIA, W.Va.

23 GALLIPOLIS#

27 SOUTH POINT#

30 at Coal Grove#

February

  3 IRONTON#

  6 at Fairland#

  8 CABELL MIDLAND, W.Va.

#-Denotes OVC game

%-Denotes at Ceredo-Kenova