Chester Boys Basketball advances to Second Round

Report by Terry Thomas

The 9th seeded Chester Clippers (17-6) advance to the 2nd Round of the District-1 AAAA Tournament with a dominating 53-27 victory over the visiting 24th seeded Council Rock North Indians (13-10). With the possibility of this being their last game at the Clip Joint, the four senior Clippers starters combined to score all 21 of the team's first quarter points. Deshawn Hinson starting for the injured Marquis Collins started the game with a trey, Stanley Davis followed with an old-fashioned three point play and Hinson drained another trey from the same corner. Maurice Henry rolled to the baseline for a bucket and the Indians stopped the run at 11-0 with a timeout at 5:24. Khaleeq Campbell added 4 of his 6 points, they fed Henry on the box for four more points and Davis finished the quarter with a layup to give the Clippers a 21-12 lead. The pace of the game slowed in the 2nd quarter and the teams matched each other with 10 points apiece. Juniors Jamar Sudan and Ahrod Carter kept the wind in the Clippers sails with 4 and 3 points respective and senior Dymon Colbert added a 3-point play to give Chester a 31-22 halftime advantage. The effectiveness of Chester's depth was displayed in the 3rd quarter as they wore down the Indians to the point they were able to only muster 2 points in the quarter. Their leading scorer who was able to score 13 points in the first half was held scoreless in the entire 2nd half including going 0 for 3 from the free throw line in that pivotal 3rd quarter. Stanley Davis fed Maurice Henry for a dunk and the Clippers led had grown to 40-24. Senior Jamal Jones connected on 1 of 2 free throws for his only point of the game that gave his team the 41-24 margin going into the final quarter. Chester kept the pressure on defensively in the final period limiting their guest to a mere 3 points on 1 field goal and without any legs the Indians were only able to hit 1 of 4 free throws. Meanwhile Colbert and Davis each added 4 points to their totals and Campbell and Sudan each contributed a bucket and the Clippers walked off the court knowing they would once again wear the Orange and Black.

Council Rock North had no answer for Chester's size as Maurice Henry finished the game with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Davis and Hinson just missed double figures with 9 points apiece. Sudan was next with 8 points followed by Colbert (7), Campbell (6), Carter (3) and Jones (1).

The Clippers will return to 9th & Barclay on Tuesday, February 16th to face the 25th seeded Hatboro-Horsham Hatters who upset the 9th seeded Strath Haven Panthers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.