Chester Boys Basketball beats Penn Wood

Clippers Jamar Sudan and Announcer Dave Burman at the game (picture by Brenda)

Chester - 54, Penn Wood - 47

Report by Terry Thomas

With the calendar change to 2016, the winning ways have return to the Chester Clippers (5-5, 2-0) as they won their 3rd consecutive game of the year with a 54-47 decision over the host Penn Wood Patriots (7-4, 1-1). The contest was atypical of the rivalry that exists between these Del Val League foes with both teams battling for bragging rights. The Clippers started the contest full steam ahead. Defensively, they put on a clinic holding the Patriots to just 6 first quarter points on just one field goal; they did however connect on 4 of 7 free throw attempts. While on the offensive end the Clippers were knocking down shots at will including 3 treys from Khaleeq Campbell, Ahrod Carter and Marquis Collins while Stanley Davis was slashing to the basket for buckets and Maurice Henry followed a missed shot with a dunk. The team was just as good at the free throw line hitting 3 of 4 shots. Chester - 18, Penn Wood - 6. With Chester having their biggest lead of the night at 14 points after a Collins baskets, Coach Yarbray called for a timeout at the 3:03 mark in the 2nd quarter. The break in action worked more in the Patriots favor as they finished the quarter on a 7-2 run. At the half, Chester led 28-19. The Clippers slipped a little defensively in the 3rd quarter which allowed Penn Wood to knock down their only treys (2) in the contest. With junior Jamar Sudan's 6 of his 8 points and Collins and Davis each scoring, the Clippers were able to hold off the Patriots and take a 41-35 score into the final period. The Patriots took advantage of the Clippers mishaps and came back to tie the score at 47 with 1:25 remaining in the contest. On Chester's next possession Collins scored to give his team the lead at 49-47. The Clippers rebounded the Patriots missed shot and Khaleeq Campbell was fouled but the senior went to the line shooting 1 and 1 and knocked downs both shots. Time: 0:37 - Chester up 51-47. Marquis Collins then stepped up defensively and blocked the next Penn Wood shot and forced a jump ball at 0:16 and the possession arrow favoring the Clippers. Collins was fouled and knocked down the front end of a 1 and 1. The Clippers stole the Patriots pass the Khaleeq Campbell finished the contest with a layup.

Seniors Collins, Davis and Campbell finished the contest in double figures with 13, 11 and 10 points respectively. Collins finished with his third double-double of the new year by hauling in 10 rebounds. Senior Maurice Henry added 6 first half points and Larry Yarbray Jr added a floater for his only bucket in the first half. Once again, the Clippers finished with assists in over half their baskets (11 assist/20 baskets) led by junior Ahrod Carter with four. Although he only scored 1 points, junior Jordan Camper came off the bench and made his presence felt with 3 blocked shots and 3 rebounds.

Chester will return to the Clip Joint to play host to the Harrisburg Cougars for a Saturday afternoon matinee contest. The JV game will tip-off at 2:00 with the Varsity to follow.