Chester Boys Basketball squeaks pass Harrisburg

Chester - 60, Harrisburg - 58

Report by Terry Thomas

Chester (6-5) extended their 2016 winning streak to four games and hands Harrisburg (9-1) their first loss of the season with a thrilling 60-58 decision at the Clip Joint. The Clippers were careless with the ball to start the contest and with limited shot attempts found themselves trailing 7-11 at the end of the first quarter. Chester used their inside game in the 2nd quarter with junior Jamar Sudan leading the way with 6 points.  Seniors reserves Dymon Colbert and Jamal Jones combined for 5 points for 11 of the teams 17 points. Khaleeq Campbell added 4 and Stanley Davis contributed 2 points and the Clippers went into intermission still trailing by four; Chester - 24, Harrisburg - 28. Chester started the 3rd quarter with increased defensive intensity which resulted in a 7-2 run to take their first lead at the 6:30 mark. Chester - 31, Harrisburg - 30. Marquis Collins and Maurice Henry used an inside attack combining to score Chester 7 points in that run. On the defensive end Henry would add two blocked shots to his stat sheet. Sudan then took control in the paint scoring 8 of his co-team high 16 points and also made his presence felt by hauling in 5 of his 10 rebounds. Their defense limited the Cougars to just 4 field goals in the 3rd quarter but their 7 of 9 free throws shooting allowed them to stay close. Chester's offense was full steam ahead scoring 23 points for a 47-43 lead at the end of the quarter. The Clippers stay hot in the final quarter scoring on their first four possession led by Collins who scored their first 5 points. He too would finish with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Clippers would miss a couple defensive assignments which allowed the Cougars to hit their only two treys in the game and cut into the Chester lead. After the Cougars Anthony Johnson knocked down his fourth consecutive free throw; Harrisburg would call a timeout with 51 seconds remaining and Chester leading 58-56. Johnson finished the night with a game high 20 points including connecting on 14 of 16 free throws. Chester's Jamal Jones hit 1 of 2 free throws with 21.6 seconds remaining to give his team a 3 point lead at 59-56. Chris Whitaker (17 points) knocked down a jumper and the Cougars call their final timeout at the 0:25.1 mark. Chester - 59, Harrisburg - 58. Marquis Collins would go to the line with 3.2 seconds remaining and connect on 1 of 2 shots for the final score of 60-58.

The starters came up big for the Clippers on the offensive end scoring 52 of their 60 points with Khaleeq Campbell being the 3rd player in double figures with 10 points. The reserves came up big with productive minutes led by Jones who finished by tying his career high of 7 rebounds.

The Clippers will return to league action of Tuesday, January 12 when they travel to take on the Battlin Bulls of Glen Mills School for a 3:30 Varsity tip-off.