Panthers control paint, middle quarters in win over Wellston

ATHENS — The Chesapeake Panthers just wouldn’t put down their guard.

Using a strong defensive effort, the Panthers rolled past the Wellston Golden Rockets 65-43 in the Division 5 district semifinals at the Ohio University’s Convocation Center on Monday.

Chesapeake (21-3) will now play Eastern Brown at noon Saturday in the Division 5 district finals. The Warriors defeated Zane Trace 43-39 in their semifinal game.

"I thought we guarded well. Early on I don't think we rebounded the way we talked about and practiced. Second quarter, we started to shoring that up. Get more offensive rebounds and started limiting them to one shot, which then opened up our transition."

The Panthers were led by the inside play of Karson Frecka and Philip Thacker, who controlled the paint all night. Frecka finished with a game-high 18 points and 9 rebounds. Thacker scored 15 points, pulled down 4 boards and had 3 steals.

Two other players reached double figures for Chesapeake with Maddox Kazee and Kaden Perkins scoring 11 points apiece in the win.

The first quarter saw the Rockets (18-5) take their only lead of the ballgame when Briggs knocked down a 3-pointer from beyond the college line.

However, Chesapeake (20-3) took control in the final 90 seconds with Frecka scoring twice and Dennis Scarberry hitting a midrange jumper.

The Panthers blew the game wide open in the second quarter with a 12-0 run to take control.

Chesapeake's scoring run started on a jump shot from Andrew Issacs.

Thacker and Kazee followed up with a pair of baskets and Scarberry scored again from midrange.

Frecka capped off the run with a steal around mid-court and took it the rest of the way for the score to put Chesapeake ahead 30-15 with 2:30 remaining before halftime.

Despite scoring 10 of his 18 in the first half, Frecka's effectiveness in the post went beyond the scoring, as the senior big man also pulled down 5 rebounds and had a key pair of assists in the first half.

"I think that's key for us. We talk a lot about playing through the post. But his ability to find a cutter, now guys are willing to throw it to him more," said Ater. "If he's around the basket, he's drawing help. We can kick it out and get three's or we can get offensive rebounds."

The Panthers continued to pour it on in the third quarter, outscoring Wellston 18-6 in the frame.

Frecka had two early scores in the period and Perkins later scored 6 straight for the Panthers.

Thacker hit a jumper in the closing seconds of the third to give the Panthers their largest lead of the night at 52-25 and they coasted through the fourth quarter en route to another win.

Not only did Chesapeake get stellar performances from their big men, but the bench provided key minutes to give the starters needed rest on the bigger floor at the Convocation Center.

"When they have a big body that's their main guy, being able to bring Andy Chapman in to give Karson a break or allow us to throw Phillip at them is big,” said Ater. "I thought Andrew Issacs was really good and impactful. Dennis Scarberry had a couple midrangers there, cutting off the ball and flying around. I know the starters get all the credit, but those guys deserve a lot of mention."

The Rockets had two players reach double figures, with Briggs notching a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds and Jackson finishing with 14 points and 5 steals. 

Wellston 13 6 6 18 = 43

Chesapeake 18 16 18 13 = 65

WELLSTON (18-5): Braxton Ingalls 2 1 0-1 7, Wes Briggs 4 1 5-6 16, Noah Jackson 0 0 1-2 1, Kyson Whitt 0 0 0-0 0, Rylan Long 1 0 0-0 2, Owen Kilgour 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Jackson 4 2 0-0 14, Carson McCorkle 0 0 1-2 1, Devin Barnhill 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 4 9-13 43. Rebounds: (O-12, D-18) 30 (Briggs 13, Jackson 4). Assists: 3. Steals: 10 (Jackson 5, Long 2). Blocks: 3. Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 13, Fouled out: Briggs (4th, 5:16).

CHESAPEAKE (20-3): Jon-Cooper Barker 0 0 0-0 0, Andrew Isaacs 1 0 0-2 2, Kaden Perkins 4 1 0-0 11, Dennis Scarberry 2 0 0-0 4, Logan Clay 1 0 0-0 2, Maddox Kazee 5 0 1-2 11, Philip Thacker 6 0 3-7 15, Karson Frecka 8 0 2-3 18, Andy Chapman 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 28 1 6-14 65. Rebounds: (O-8, D-28) 36 (Frecka 9, Barker 7, Kazee 6). Assists: 8 (Barker 2, Frecka 2). Steals: 10 (Thacker 3, Barker 2). Blocks: 1 (Thacker). Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.