Sports
Chesapeake pulls off comebackagainst Wheelersburg to win district title
By: Lily Brotzki
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – The Chesapeake Panthers clawed back to secure a victory after trailing behind the Wheelersburg Pirates for the first half.
The two teams battled for the Division IV Southeast District title on Friday night, with Chesapeake emerging victorious in a 49-43 win, advancing to the Sweet 16.
With the season on the line and an intense atmosphere in the arena, both teams struggled offensively early, leading to a low-scoring first quarter. Buckets were hard to come by, but as the game progressed, both teams adapted. A back-and-forth battle defined the second quarter, with Wheelersburg holding a narrow 19-17 lead at halftime.
Chesapeake struck first in the third quarter with a three-pointer, continuing the seesaw battle from the second. Key player Karson Frecka made his presence felt on the boards, intimidating the Pirates. Despite the Panthers’ push, Wheelersburg maintained a 32-29 lead heading into the final quarter.
Momentum shifted in the fourth as Chesapeake found its rhythm. Fueled by an electric crowd, the Panthers stormed ahead. Wheelersburg fought to keep the game within reach, but Chesapeake refused to let up. The Pirates’ repeated fouls gave the Panthers multiple scoring opportunities, widening the gap.
With 30 seconds left, nerves set in as three consecutive timeouts were called. However, Wheelersburg’s attempts to regain control proved ineffective, as more fouls ultimately sealed Chesapeake’s victory.
After the game, Chesapeake head coach Steven Ater reflected on his team’s performance:
“I thought after that it was just kind of a good back-and-forth game between good basketball teams, good athletes, and I’m really happy for our kids, our community, our basketball program, and our school. Just a great experience for them to get a chance to cut down nets here at the Convo.”