By Terry Thomas
A
buzzer beater by senior Brian Randolph III gave the Clippers a 55-52
decision over the visiting Newark Yellowjackets. With the win, Chester improves
to 6-5 and remains undefeated in the new year with a 5 game winning streak. The
Clippers ended the first quarter strong with 17 by scoring on their last four
possessions. Senior Kylair Blackston started the run in the paint with a layup
followed by two free throws from Michael Smith. On their next possession,
senior Isaiah Schmidt scored on a four point play
knocking down the free throw after being foul on a three-pointer. Smith
completed the scoring also hitting a trey off a feed from Schmidt. Chester -
17, Newark - 11. Smith connected on 5 of 7 free throws scoring the Clippers
first 5 points of the 2nd quarter before his back-court mate sophomore Rahmee
Gilbert took over. He would score 8 of the Clippers next 10 points including 4
of 4 from the foul line enroute to a new career high of 16 points. Junior
Rahnel Sparks short baseline jumper completed the scoring for the Clippers. At
the break, Chester - 32, Newark - 23. The third quarter saw Randolph connect on
two treys and Gilbert connect on a trey to close the quarter as the
Yellowjackets drew closer going into the final stanza. Chester - 43, Newark -
41. After opening the 4th with a turnover and a missed shot; the Clippers now
trailed for the first since the 1st quarter, 43-44. A free throw from Gilbert
tied the score at 44 with 6:40 remaining. After trailing 44-45, Gilbert would
give the Clippers the lead once again at 46-45. The Yellowjackets would produce
a 5-0 run before a Randolph assisted bucket by Blackston reduced the Chester
deficit to 48-50 with 2:50
on the clock. The Clippers would then turn consecutive Newark turnovers into
baskets. First Blackston would return the favor and gave an assist to Randolph
and then a steal by Blackston led to another Randolph bucket at the 2:00 mark.
Chester - 52, Newark - 50. The Yellowjackets turned a Clippers turnover into
points to tie the game at 52. Chester would milk the clock over the next 45
seconds setting up the final play. With about 6 seconds on the clock and the
Newark coach yelling "Watch #2, he's the shooter", (by the way
Randolph wears #2) Gilbert begins to penetrate on the left lane line with
Randolph trailing him behind the arc on his left. As the defenders close to
stop the penetration, Gilbert kicked out to Randolph who calmly knocked down
the trey with 0:01.8 seconds remaining giving the Clippers the lead 55-52.
Newark called for a timeout and their inbound pass was stolen by sophomore
Malik Langley to start the celebration.
The
Clippers had three players in double figures: Gilbert (16), Randolph (15) and
Smith (12). Blackston contributed 6, Schmidt (4) and Sparks completed the
scoring with 2 points.
Chester
will return to league play on Tuesday, January 16th when they travel to take on the
Glen Mills Battlin' Bulls for a 3:30 Varsity tip-off. The JV game will follow.
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