By Terry Thomas
The Clippers keep their winning streak alive with a 70-62 overtime
decision over the visiting Bartram Braves. Having won
their 4th consecutive; their record now stands at 5-5. Michael Smith led the
way with 6 first quarter points and fellow junior Rahnel Sparks knocked down a
couple jumpers in the paints for 4 of his 8 points. However it was not enough
to offset the long range shooting of the Braves as the Clippers trailed 12-14
after one. Smith continued to carry the team in the second quarter with 7 of
the team's 12 points. Senior Isaiah Schmidt came off the
bench to drain a trey and sophomore Rahmee Gilbert hit a floater but Chester
still trailed 24-28 at intermission. After doing a good job
of protecting the three point line in the 2nd quarter, the Clippers fell asleep
in the 3rd allowing Bartram open looks which they drained. Senior Brian
Randolph III picked up the scoring for the Clippers in the 3rd connecting on
two treys, Sparks added his final 4 points and Smith closed the scoring with a
bucket. Leading by a score of 44-37, Bartram called for a timeout with 0:05.6
second remaining in the 3rd. The Braves ended the quarter with a buzzer beater
trey and the Clippers were now down by 10 going into the final quarter. Chester
37, Bartram - 47. The final eight minutes were all about the Clippers defensive
pressure and the unstoppable Michael Smith. Smith accounted for 11 of the
Clippers 23 fourth quarter points including 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
After senior Timothy Johnson scored his only 2 points with a baseline jumper,
Chester trailed 56-60 when Bartram called for a timeout with 1:59 on the clock. After
the Braves missed the front end of a 1 and 1, Smith found himself on the line
where he knocked down 2; Chester - 58, Bartram - 60. The Clippers forced
another turnover and Brian Randolph fed Zahmir Carroll coming down the lane for
his 6th point of the night and the score was tied 60-60 with 37.6 seconds
remaining. The Clippers once again gained possession and an untimely turnover
with 3.6 on gave the ball back to the Braves. The Clippers didn't allow their
opponents to get off a shot. The Clippers were deadly in the 4th from the free
throw line going 10 for 10. Overtime Here We Come. The Braves won the tap but
the Clippers rebound their missed shot and Brian Randolph III opened the
overtime with his third trey to the give Chester the lead for good 63-60.
Another forced turnover and Smith was back at the foul line where he knocked
down two more; Chester - 65, Bartram - 60. The remainder of the OT was simply
time management by the Clippers.
Smith
finished with a career high of 31 points including connecting on 13 of 14 free
throws. Randolph added another double to his resume with 11 points and 12
rebounds. Smith's backcourt mate, sophomore Rahmee Gilbert added a career high
5 rebounds to go along with his 6 points; Sophomore Malik Langley subbing for
defensive purposes in the overtime connecting on 1 free throw.
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