Chester Clippers Boys Basketball continues to sail

By Terry Thomas

The Clippers keep their winning streak alive with a convincing 80-37 win over the Interboro Bucs. Chester's record now stands at 13-5 overall and 7-0 in league play and closes out an undefeated January 2018 with the winning streak now at 12 games. Junior Michael Smith led all scorers with a game high of 19 points including 12 in the opening stanza as the Clippers raced out to a 23-4 first quarter lead. Smith matched his career high with 4 treys. Sophomore Rahmee Gilbert contributed 5 of his 7 points in the opening quarter. He also added 5 steals to his stat sheet. The Clippers strong man-to-man defense continued into the 2nd quarter holding the Bucs to 6 points. Meanwhile, junior Javan Graham, sophomore Zahmir Carroll and Smith dropped in 4 points apiece to go along with the 2 points from senior Brian Randolph and sophomore Malik Langley. The Clippers led 39-10 at the intermission. The starters returned to action in the 3rd quarter scoring all the teams 23 points. Randolph scored 6 of 11, senior Timothy Johnston scored 6 of his 8, senior Kylair Blackston scored 6 of his 7 and smith and Gilbert added 3 and 2 respectively. It was Johnston's bucket at the 1:28 mark that envoked the "Mercy Rule" with the score Chester - 62, Interboro - 21. Interboro called for a timeout and Coach Taylor used this opportunity to empty his bench. The quarter ended 62-23. The 4th quarter was the coming out party for sophmore Karell Watkins; the 6'4" - 180 lbs power forward who was seeing his first Varsity action coming up from the JV team. And Watkins did not disappoint. In his inaugural 8 minutes of action, he established a career high of 13 points, 6 rebounds and 1 blocked shots. Graham and Langley each contributed a bucket with junior Rahnel Sparks connecting on 1 of 2 free throws as the Clippers outscored the Bucs 18-14 in the final quarter.

Randolph added a career high 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. The team finished with 19 assists on 34 made baskets. Johnston hauled in 7 rebounds in his 2 quarters of action.

Clippers boxscore: Smith (19), Watkins (13), Randolph (11), Johnston (8), Gilbert (7), Blackston (7), Graham (6), Carroll (4), Langley (4), Sparks (1)

The Clippers will return to the Clip Joint for a three-game homestand starting with the Glen Mills Battlin' Bulls on Thursday, February 1st. The JV tips off at 6:00 pm with the Varsity to follow.