Friday, January 13, 2017

Coach Yarbray Reaches the 200 Win Milestone



Report by Terry Thomas

With tonight’s 85-28 victory over the Interboro Bucs, Coach Larry Yarbray Sr. become the 5th member of the legendary Chester High School Boys Basketball 200 Win Club. In earning the win in his 248th game, he became the 2nd fastest to reach that milestone behind Bob Forwood who finished his career at Chester after the 1960-61 season with a record of 200-35. He places his name on the list with Fred Pickett (331), Cliff Wilson (239) and Alonzo Lewis (237).

On his way to 200, Coach Yarbray has established himself as one of the best in not just Chester but the State after recording the 3rd longest win streak in the State and setting a new Delaware County record with 61 consecutive wins. The old record was 54 games set by Darby-Colwyn from 1961 through 1963. The streak began in January 3, 2011 and ran through December 18, 2012. During this streak Coach Yarbray’s team captured the school’s only undefeated season finishing with a record of 32-0. That 2012 Clippers team finished the season ranked as the #4 team in the country. It also marked the first Back-to-Back 30 win and State Championship seasons in Chester Clipper history. During this nine year period, he has amassed a Del Val League record of 74-8 (90.2%) with five Championships and three 2nd place finishes. Coach Yarbray was also at the helm as the Clippers won four consecutive District-1 Championships becoming just the second (Chester) coach to accomplish that feat. He also captured one 2nd place finish in Districts.  His District-1 Tournament record is 31-7 (81.6%). Coach Yarbray was also the second Clippers coach to guide his team to four consecutive State Final-Four appearances but the only one to appear in three consecutive State Championship games.

In spite of all the wins, championships, and parades that are attributed to his success, Coach Yarbray is proudest of the fact that to date 92.6% of his seniors have qualified to further their education at institutions of higher learning. Through his leadership, Chester has been represented on campuses as close as Penn State Brandywine and as far away as the University of Arizona. If you speak with Coach Yarbray you will find that he would quickly acknowledge the people around him that enabled him to reach this goal from his wife and immediate family to his extended Clipper family of Coaches, Players and the Chester Clipper Basketball Parents Association.

Congratulations and Continued Success Coach and thanks for taking us along for the ride.

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