Chesapeake Gains AAA St. Joe Invitational Title with 43-27 Defensive Win over Spring Valley
by Grant TraylorHuntington News Network Sportswriter
Huntington (HNN) — Fans of an offensive showcase wanted to be anywhere but the Veterans Memorial Field House late Saturday night, Jan. 29, 2005, as Chesapeake won a 43-27 defensive struggle in the AAA championship game of the St. Joe Invitational.
P.J. Rase led the Panthers with 18 points in being named the tournament’s most valuable player. Rase was joined in double-figures by Trent Finley with 11 points.
Nate Wilds, also on the all-tournament team, was the only Spring Valley player in double-figures with 10 points. The Timberwolves (4-8) shot only 25 percent on 9-of-36 shooting from the floor.
Chesapeake (16-0) used an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter to stretch out a lead and remain undefeated on the season. The Panthers went on the run despite only having one field goal in the fourth quarter.
A pair of threes by Nate Wilds and Coty Smith cut an 18-7 Chesapeake lead at halftime to 23-17 at the 2:13 mark of the third quarter.
Chesapeake had as many converted free throws at the half as Spring Valley had points. The Panthers were 7-of-10 at the line in establishing the 11-point lead.
The Timberwolves made just 3-of-20 shots in the first half for only 15 percent. However, due to poor execution on the offensive end, Chesapeake could not expand on the lead. The Panthers only attempted 10 shots in the half, making five.
Defense ruled the first period of play as the Panthers and Timberwolves could only muster one field goal each.
Chesapeake hit 5-of-6 free throws to take a 7-2 lead after one quarter of play.
The Panthers will now move on to take on fellow undefeated Ohio team Ironton at Ironton High School on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005.
View Photos from the Game