Chester Boys Basketball wins over Academy Park

Chester - 66, Academy Park - 59

Report by Terry Thomas

Chester improves to 8-5 overall and claims sole possession of first place in the Del Val League at 4-0 with a 66-59 win at Academy Park (9-5, 3-1). The Clippers played an inspired first quarter with 6 different players scoring while limiting the Knights to 5 points on 1 field goal and 1 of 2 free throws. After the Knights knocked down their trey to start the contest and claim their only lead of the game, the Clippers responded with a 15-1 run forcing Academy Park into a timeout at 2:13 and a score of 15-4. The quarter would end after a basket by Jahmi Bailey-Green and a free throw from Maurice Henry, Chester - 18, Academy Park - 4. In the 2nd quarter, the Clippers balance offense was displayed as seven players put their names in the scoring column enroute to a 15 point quarter and Chester stretched their lead to 15 points at the intermission, Chester 33, Academy Park - 18. The following players scored in the first half for the Clippers: Khaleeq Campbell (3), Donald Hodges (3), Ahrod Carter (2), Jahmi Bailey-Green (2), Stanley Davis (5), Marquis Collins (6), Jamar Sudan (5), Dymon Colbert (2), Maurice Henry (4) and Jamal Jones (1). Chester opened the 3rd quarter on a 7-2 run to push their lead to the largest of the night at 20 points, 40-20. Marquis Collins took the helm in the period producing 5 of that 7 and 12 of the team 19 points enroute to a career high of 21 points for the game. His strong performance enabled the Clippers to maintain a double digit lead going into the final quarter, Chester - 52, Academy Park - 39. Jahmi Bailey-Green led the way in the final quarter with 5 points including his team final 2 as the Clippers held off a valiant charge by the Knights for the victory.

The Clippers held the Knights to just 59 points which was well below their season average of 74.7 points per game and it was only the second time Academy Park has scored less than 60 points in a game this season. Chester also used their size advantage to control the boards for a 34-21 rebounding edge.

Chester will take to the highway to participate Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Showcase in Erie, Pa. The Clippers will take on Rochester Aquinas Institute on Saturday, January 16th.