By Terry Thomas
The Clippers (18-8) did not finish well in the final game at the
Clip Joint in the 2017-18 season falling to the Wissahickon (19-9) Trojans
54-51 for the District-1's 4th seed heading into the State Tournament. The
Clippers will face the District-12's 2nd seed, the loser of the
Bonner-Prendie/Martin L. King game.
With point
guard Michael Smith not in the starting lineup with remnants from his
recent flu, the Clippers got to a slow start trailing 11-17 after the first
quarter. Timothy Johnston led the Clippers in the first quarter with 4 of his
10 points. Brian Randolph III added a trey while Rahmaad DeJarnette (starting
in place of Smith) and Javan Graham each contributed a basket. With Smith
inserted in the 2nd quarter, Chester offense got on track with 16 points but it
was not enough to offensive effectiveness of the Trojan who put up 18 points.
Max Rappaport led the way for Wissahickon with 12 of his team high 14 points in
that 1st half. DeJarnette led the Clippers with 6 second quarter points, Smith
added 5 with Randolph and Johnston contributing 3 and 2 respective. Halftime:
Chester- 27, Wissahickon - 35.
With
Smith back at the helm controlling the Clippers offense in the 3rd quarter,
Chester reversed the 8 point deficit into a 5 point lead at the end of the
quarter. Chester - 46, Wissahickon - 41. By speeding up the tempo and his drive
and kick ability allowed for open looks by Randolph and DeJarnette. Randolph
score 10 of his game high 18 points and DeJarnette added the last 4 of his 12.
Johnston contributed 3 and Smith connected on 2 of 4 throws for the team's 19
third quarter points. The Chester defense eliminated the open looks and
back-door cuts the Trojans saw in the first half which resulted in the 6 point
quarter.
As
efficient as the Clippers were in the middle two quarter, they were the polar
opposite in the 4th quarter. Chester's first four possessions resulted in
turnover which the Trojans converting into points and Chester trailed
45-48 with 4:30
remaining. With the lead the Trojans were able to milk the clock and thus
reduce the number of possession for the Clippers. Smith scored on Chester's
next possession to cut the score to 47-48 at the 4:10 mark. With 2:49 on the clock, Timothy Johnston knocked down the
first half of a one-and-and to tie the score at 49. Wissahickon responded with
an old fashioned three-point play and after Randolph dropped in two foul shot,
the Clippers were within one, 51-52 with 1:21 left in the contest. Once again the Trojans
spread the floor but Rahmaad DeJarnette hauled in their missed shot and the
Clippers had life with 46.6 second remaining. Coming out of the Chester
timeout, it was the Clippers turn to spread the floor and milk the clock.
Holding for the last shot, Rahmee Gilbert saw an opening and drove the lane.
When he got off the floor, the whistle was blown but it was the 5th foul of
Johnston for grabbing the Wissahickon player who rebounded the missed shot. He
converted the two free throws for the final margin.
Chester begins
its quest for the school's 9th State Championship on Friday,
March 9th.
Their opponent will be District-12's 2nd seeded Martin L. King; the game
will tip-off at 7:30 at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 South Broad Street. The Tournament is single
elimination - "Win or Go Home".
No comments:
Post a Comment