Chester Clipper Boys Basketball wins at the Shoebox

By Terry Thomas

Brian Randolph III gave a stellar performance in leading the Clippers to the 57-46 victory over the Penn Wood Patriots at the Shoebox on Essex Ave. With the win Chester stretched their winning streak to 7 games and moved to 8-5 overall and 4-0 in league play. Randolph put up career numbers with 24 points including 6 treys also a career high.  Randolph gave the Clippers the lead by opening the game with a trey he went on to score 8 points and sophomore Rahmee Gilbert added 4 to give Chester a 12-10 lead at the end of the quarter. The Clippers struggled to score in the second quarter producing only 8 points and the teams were deadlocked at 20 at the break. The Patriots packed in the zone to open the 3rd quarter and the Clippers countered by knocking down 5 treys. Randolph and senior Isaiah Schmidt were on the receiving end of kick-out passes and quick ball movement enroute to 3 and 2 treys respectively. Chester needed each and every point as the Patriots also found their mark in the period. At the end of the third it was Chester - 38, Penn Wood - 35. Once again Randolph opened the quarter with a trey to push the Chester lead to six points, 41-35. On their next possession, Zahmir Carroll rebounded a missed Schmidt jumper and was rewarded with an assist from Michael Smith and the Chester lead was now eight points, 43-35. With the Patriots unable to get an open look from the outside their attempt at penetrating the lane was thwarted by Carroll who collected 3 of his career high 5 blocked shots. With weary legs Penn Wood couldn't convert when they were awarded foul shots connecting on only 5 of 10 in the final quarter. The Clippers spread the floor and put the ball in the hands of their captain, Michael Smith, who went 5 of 5 en route to 9 points in the quarter. Smith finished with 12 points. When Smith didn't have the ball, his backcourt mate Gilbert rebounded well after missing his first front end of a 1 and 1. He followed that knocking down 3 of the next 4 to secure the win. Gilbert ended the night with 11 points, a career high of 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

In addition to his 24 points, Randolph contributed 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 each assist and blocked shot. Carroll added 3 points, 6 rebounds and an assist to go along with his blocked shots. Kylair Blackston added the final point to the Clippers total.

Chester will be returning home to start a four game home stand by entertaining the visiting Harrisburg Cougars for a Saturday, January 20th, afternoon matinee. The JV game tips off at 2:00 pm with the Varsity to follow.