Chester High School Basketball Coach Taylor Captures First Win

By Terry Thomas

The Chester Clippers traveled to Lancaster on Monday evening and delivered Coach Taylor his 1st win as Head Coach after defeating the J.P. McCaskey Red Tornadoes 78-56. The host showed their respect and sportsmanship by presenting him with the game ball.

Junior Michael Smith led the way for the Clippers in the first quarter scoring 6 of 15 points as Chester held a slim 12-11 lead at the end of the quarter. Sophomore Zahmir Carroll came off the bench and made his presence felt in the paint with 7 of his 8 points in the 2nd quarter. A McCaskey three pointer at the end of the quarter kept Chester's lead at two points, 32-30 at the half. The Clippers came out of the locker room and played more aggressive on both offensively and defensively. The starting five scored 25 of 27 third quarter points with Brian Randolph (6 of his 15), Rahmaad DeJarnette (6 of his 9), Smith (5), sophomore Rahmee Gilbert and senior Timothy Johnston dropping in 4 apiece. Johnston joined Smith and Randolph in double digits with a career high 13 points. Senior Kylair Blackston layed in the final two points. The Red Tornadoes could only manage 12 points as the Clippers pushed their lead to 59-42. Unfortunately for the host they had no answer for the Clippers on this evening as Chester sailed away in the fourth quarter for the win.

Ten of the thirteen Chester players put their name in the scoring column including Gilbert (6), Blackston (5), junior Javan Graham (4), senior Kavon Spells (2) and sophomore Malik Langley (1). Chester finished the contest with 22 steals led by Randolph's career high of 6.

The team will once against travel into District 3 on Tuesday evening, December 19th when the take on the Reading Knights. The JV game tips off at 6:30 with the Varsity to follow.