Chester Boys Basketball Advances to Second Round in State Playoffs

Chester (23-5) advances to the second round of the State Playoffs with a resounding 79-38 thumping of the Carlisle Thundering Herd at Coatesville High School. The Clippers will take on Hazelton Area High School (22-4) at a site and time to be announced.

Picture via Dave Burman/Report by Terry Thomas

The Clippers senior trio of Conrad Chambers (4), Mahir Johnson (10) and Tyrell Sturdivant (6) got hot early combining to produce all 20 of Chester's first quarter points. Chester led at the end of the very entertaining 1st quarter 20-19. In the second quarter the Clippers increased their defensive intensity and continued their offensive surge opening with a 12-2 run. The only thing that could stop the Clippers at this point was a Carlisle timeout at 4:08. Chester picked up right where they left off after the timeout limiting the Thundering Herd to only two more points the remainder of the quarter while adding 8 more to their total. Johnson continued his hot hand adding 7 more including two treys of his game high 19 points. Chambers connected on 5 of 6 free throws to add to his 16 points. Sophomore Marquis Collins began to heat up with 5 points including a trey in quarter and he was joined by fellow sophomore Jahmi Bailey who also drained a trey. The Clippers sailed into intermission with a 40-23 advantage. 

Tyrell Sturdivant entered the third quarter well rested after sitting part of the 2nd having picked up his second personal foul. The result was a powerful 10 point quarter for Tyrell giving him 16 points on the night. He would not see any action in the 4th quarter. With 6'8" forward Gabe Adesina in foul trouble, 6'4" senior Brewster Ward had a productive afternoon with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 1 assist. Gabe added 2 blocked shots and 3 rebounds in limited action. The Clippers continued their offensive outburst in the 3rd quarter opening with a 13-7 push leading to a Carlisle timeout at 3:14 and the Clippers ahead 53-30. Over the next two minutes Chester would produce a 9-2 run forcing another Carlisle timeout at 1:14 and the score now at 62-32. The quarter ended Chester - 64, Carlisle - 33. With the reserves playing the fourth quarter, Chester was led by Collins who added 8 points to become the 4th Clipper in double figures with 13 points. Yes, he added another trey to the score sheet. In total Chester finished with 8 treys on the afternoon. Bailey and Keyonte Watkins each finished with four points, Da'Saun Campbell added a bucket and Khaleeq Campbell hit 1 of 2 free throws to complete the scoring for the Clippers.

Sturdivant added yet another double double to his resume by collecting 13 rebounds. Johnson padded the stat sheet with 4 assists, 7 rebounds and 1 steal. Chambers dished four assists, grabbed one rebound and had 4 steals. Keyonte Watkins the Clippers 5'8" spark plug hauled in 3 rebounds and brought the capacity crowd to their feet with a block shot of Carlisle 6'6" big man. Chester finished the afternoon with only 6 turnovers.