By Terry Thomas
The Clippers fought off the heat and Chichester's accuracy at the
free throw line to pull off the 64-52 victory at the Clip Joint. The victory
moved Chester current win streak to 9 games and a two game lead in the Del Val.
The Clippers are now 10-5 overall and 5-0 in league play; the Chichester Eagles are also 10-5 but are sitting in second place at 3-2.
Michael Smith led the way scoring Chester's first five points and a trey from
Brian Randolph III to end the quarter allowed the Clippers to close to within
three, 11-14. The Clippers clamped down defensively allowing the Eagles only 2
made field goals in the opening quarter but they connected on 10 of 11 free
throws. The Clippers maintained their defensive pressure in the 2nd quarter
again holding the Eagles to two field goals and their 5 of 6 free throws
produced their 9 points. Meanwhile the Clippers opened the quarter on a 10-0
run capped by a trey from Smith. Rahmee Gilbert who was nursing a sore ankle
contributed 4 points along with Kylair Blackston. Isaiah Schmidt dropped a trey
from the corner and Zahmir Carroll stroked 3 of 4 free throws enroute to a 21-9
quarter for the Clippers. At the half it was Chester - 32, Chichester - 23. While
Brian Randolph was absent from the scoring column, his presence was felt on the
defensive end as he limited Chichester's leading scoring to only one bucket in
the game which came in the 3rd quarter. Granberry finished with 15 points
having made 13 of 16 foul shots. He came into the contest averaging just over
26 points per game. Chester led 43-35 at the end of the 3rd quarter. After
sophomore Malik Langley scored to give Chester a 46-38 lead at 7:05, the Clippers would go
scoreless over their next five possessions which allow the Eagles to tie the
score at 46. Smith would give the Clippers the lead for good 47-46 hitting 1 of
2 free throws. However, Timothy Johnston would rebound the missed shot passed to
Smith would went to the line and this time knocked downs both shots with 3:44
remaining. Chester - 49, Chichester - 46. Chester ran off four more points for
a 7-0 run before the Eagles would connect on their lone three-point shot of the
night. Back-to-back buckets from Blackston and Johnston pushed the lead to
57-49 with 2:10
remaining in the contest. With time running out, the Eagles were forced to foul
but the Clippers answered the call by securing the win at the free throw line.
Appropriately, the game ended with a steal and layup by senior Kylair
Blackston.
While
Smith led all scorers with 21 points, Blackston finished with his first
double-double, 11 points and a career high 11 rebounds. Randolph ended his
night totally exhausted with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists.
Carroll contributed 5 points, 7 rebounds, a blocked shot and an assist. And,
Johnston (also 6 rebounds), Javan Graham, Langley and Schmidt each added 4
points.
Tonight's victory is win number 1,900 in the storied history of
Chester High School Clippers Boys Basketball. Congratulations to Coach Taylor
and all the players and coaches who have proudly worn the Orange & Black
and truly demonstrated C-Pride at 'The High'.
The
Clippers will continue League play and their home stand when they entertain the
Academy Park Knights on Thursday, January 25th. JV tip-off is slated for 6:00 with
the Varsity to follow.
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