Unfortunately for Zane Trace, injuries started to play a role late. The Pioneers were already without Joel Tripp due to an injury in practice earlier this week, Gabe Haynes was in obvious pain with his ongoing shoulder issue, and then, Maxwell was forced to leave the game late with a problem with his leg. Despite all this, Zane Trace was still down just three with the ball at the end, but they were never really able to get Davis a very good look as the senior sharp-shooter had to fire a deep three as time expired.
Zane Trace started the game shooting poorly but playing well overall. Despite making only two of their 15 attempts in the first quarter, ZT trailed only 8-7 after one period of play. The two teams traded the lead in the second quarter as the Pioneers jumped out to a 14-10 advantage only to see Chesapeake answer to take a 22-18 lead at the half. Coming out of the locker room, Zane Trace took complete control of this game and appeared on their way to the Sweet 16. The Pioneers shot 63% in the third period while allowing the ‘Peake just 15% during the quarter. As a result, ZT found themselves in control at 33-26 entering the final period thanks to a late third-quarter bucket from senior Dallas Cochenour.
The Pioneers finish their district runner-up season at 18-5. Zane Trace was led by Maxwell with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Davis added 10 for the Pioneers while Rick Chamberlin was really solid on the defensive end completely shutting down Chesapeake’s frontline scoring. Chamberlin scored just four points, but he did grab 10 rebounds and block four shots. The Pioneers out rebounded the Panthers, but the free throw line in the first half, the turnover bug in the second half, and the great play of Chesapeake’s all-district guard Nathan Copley all played key roles in the success of Chesapeake. Copley scored a game-high 29 points. He was the only Panther in double-figures.