Getting back to basics took the Chesapeake Panthers back to their wining ways.

After winning 11 straight Ohio Valley Conference titles, the Panthers have watched other teams take the championship trophy home the past two years. That was erased on Friday when the Panthers wrapped up another OVC title by beating the Fairland Dragons 54-51.

“It’s good to get back to winning the OVC and starting that block work you have to begin the season,” said Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis.

Chesapeake trailed the entire first half, then took the lead in the third quarter and went on to notch the win, thus ending Fairland’s hopes of gaining at least a share of the title.

Davis said a change in strategy at halftime was the turning point.

“We went back to a little more of the defensive principles. We changed for (Fairland) and we turned down our defensive pressure,” said Davis.

“When we turn down our defensive pressure, we turn down our intensity and that changes our offensive intensity also.”

Chesapeake (15-4, 7-2) had a chance to wrap up the title last week but lost at South Point. Davis said the loss proved to be a wake-up call.

“That was good to have a challenge. It’s not the same if you get something because someone else lost than to win it yourself,” said Davis.

Fairland (13-7, 6-4) had built as much as an eight-point lead in the first quarter and led 23-21 at the half. But the Dragons struggled from the field in the fourth quarter and couldn’t hold the lead.

“When we got our post players to the basket we finished. But we never got to the basket enough to where we could get to the foul line the way you need to on the road,” said McClung. “When the game got close, we felt desperate and took a lot of bad shots.”

Although leading scorer Kyle Webb had trouble getting in a good rhythm with his shooting, Nathan Copley picked up the slack as he scored 21 points to lead Chesapeake.

Copley was 6-of-13 from behind the arc as Chesapeake went hit 8-of-21 long-range shots.

Cole Hatfield had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for Fairland while Tyler Godby finished with 15points and six rebounds.

“Tyler Godby and Cole Hatfield have had bad knee injuries and battled all year. They play so hard and so intense. This is a talented group of seniors who came up a little short. The hope and desire were there, now we just have to take it to the tournament,” said McClung.

A triple by Hatfield and another by Zach Jordan started and finished a 12-4 run to begin the game. Peter Hintz hit a trey with for seconds left to get Chesapeake within 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.

A baseline jumper by Chris Ward gave Fairland a 23-17 lead late in the second quarter, but Travis Zimmerman made the Panthers’ first two-point basket with 1:58 left in the half and two foul shots by Webb cut the deficit to 23-21 at the half.

Trent Saunders converted a three-point play at the 5:38 mark of the third quarter to give Chesapeake its first lead of the game at 29-28.

Saunders made three straight baskets inside to give the Panthers their biggest lead of the game at 44-35 with 29 seconds on the clock. Hatfield’s trifecta made it 44-38.

Fairland got within one point on two occasions midway through the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Copley put the lead at 49-45.

Hatfield’s triple with 19 seconds to play cut the lead to 53-51. Matt Angle hit the front end of a one-and-one to give Fairland one last chance, but Hatfield’s 3-point attempt hit the front of the rim.

Fairland 15 8 15 13 = 51

Chesapeake 14 7 23 10 = 54

FAIRLAND (13-7, 6-4): Zach Jordan 2-4 4-6 9, Matt Bloomfield 2-4 0-0 4, Cole Hatfield 5-18 1-2 16, Tyler Godby 7-9 1-2 15, Adam Berry 1-1 0-0 2, Chris Ward 1-4 0-0 2, Chad Fisher 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 18-41 7-12 51. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 6-17 (Jordan 1-2, Hatfield 5-14, Fisher 0-1). Rebounds: 9-21=30 (Bloomfield 7, Hatfield 6, Godby 6, Berry 6). Team/deadball rebounds: None. Assists: 10 (Hatfield 6). Steals: 7 (Hatfield 3). Turnovers; 15.

CHESAPEAKE (15-4, 7-2): Peter Hintz 2-4 1-1 7, Nathan Copley 7-20 1-2 21, Matt Angle 0-0 2-4 2, Kyle Webb 1-11 7-9 9, Trent Saunders 4-9 3-3 11, Colton Lindsey 0-0 0-0 0, Travis Zimmerman 2-2 0-0 4, Austin McMaster 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-47 14-19 54. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 8-21 (Hintz 2-3, Copley 6-13, Webb 0-5). Rebounds: 13-16=29 (Saundes 8, Copley 6). Team/deadball rebounds: 5. Assists: 10 (Hintz 6, Copley 3). Steals: 6 (Webb 2, Hintz 2). Turnovers: 15.