Chester Clippers Boys Basketball cruise past the Knights

By Terry Thomas

Chester kept their winning streak alive at 10 games after making quick work of Academy Park by the score of 68-31. Chester is now 11-5 overall and sitting atop the Del Val at 6-0. After jumping out to a 17-2 first quarter lead, the Clippers stayed focused and made it an easy night. Michael Smith led the way in the opening quarter with 8 of his game high 15 points. Timothy Johnston returned to the starting lineup and produced 4 points while Isaiah Schmidt came off the bench to hit a trey. Kylair Blackston's putback competed Chester's scoring. The Clippers were just as focused defensively holding the undermanned Knights to a mere 2 points in the first 8 minutes of the contest. In the 2nd quarter Chester distributed 14 points among six players with sophomore Zahmir Carroll leading the way with his 4 points. At the intermission it was Chester - 31, Academy Park - 13. The Clippers stayed focused on both ends of the floor in the 3rd quarter and after Brian Randolph III feed Johnston for a bucket at the 3:10 mark the lead was now at 48-18. Johnson finished the night with a career high of 14 points and 3 blocked shots to go along with his 6 rebounds and a steal. Smith and Blackston each added a bucket to complete the evening. Randolph hit buckets in the 3rd quarter from long-distance (trey), inside the paint and the foul line in contributing 6 of his 8 points. At the end of the 3rd quarter it was Chester - 52, Academy Park - 32. With the Clippers resting their primary players it was now time for the reserved to show the fans how they earned their spots on the team. And they didn't disappoint. Senior Kavon Spells led the way in the final 8 minutes dropping two treys for six point. Schmidt added four points and sophomore Malik Langley, who handled the point, also contributed 4 points and seldom used Zhaid Ferguson added his name to the scoring column with 2 points. Defensively this unit stayed true to the Clippers defense holding the Knights to only 9 points.

Chester's points came from ten of the twelve players who saw action in the contest. They assisted on 15 of their 27 made baskets and secured the basket with 8 blocked shots.

The Clippers will complete their four-game home stand on Saturday afternoon when the William Penn (York) Bearcats visit the Clip Joint. The JV tip-off is at 2:00 p.m. and the Varsity is scheduled to tip-off at 4:00 p.m.