By Terry Thomas
Chester (3-2) kept their
win streak alive at three games with an exciting 77-72 victory over the
visiting Reading Red Knights (3-2) in the nightcap of the 3rd Annual Rondae
Hollis-Jefferson Classic. The Clip Joint was electric as these rivals and their
crowds were very vocal before the contest even began. The game gave off the
aura of a playoff atmosphere and it was only game five for both teams.
The game was a see-saw
affair through the first 4:24. A steal and a bucket by sophomore Karell Watkins
off the dime from junior Akeem Taylor and the Knights called for a timeout at
3:36 trailing 14-12. The Clippers finished the quarter with a 11-5 run for a
25-17 advantage. The Clippers starting five accounted for all their points led
by Watkins with 8, senior Michael Smith (7), Taylor (6) and junior Rahmee
Gilbert and senior Rahmaad DeJarnette contributing a bucket apiece.
The Red Knights made a
run to start the 2nd quarter and the Clippers relinquished the lead 32-33 at
about the 3:00 mark. After rebounding a missed three point attempt by
DeJarnette Chester called for a timeout at 2:43 and the score the same. Out of
the timeout the Clippers missed the front end of a one-and-one. They forced a
Reading turnover and DeJarnette walked to the line for his 1-and-1 and
connected on both to regain the lead 34-33 with 2:21 remaining. There were two
lead changes before the Red Knights called timeout after a Watkins free-throw
tied the score at 37 with 39.6 seconds remaining in the half. Chester converted
a Reading turnover into an assist from Gilbert to DeJarnette and the Clippers
went to intermission with a slight 39-27 lead.
The Clippers gave the Clip
Joint a look at the patented Chester press and Reading had no answer. The only
way the Red Knights could stop the assault was with their 3rd timeout of the
game. The results was a 10-0 run giving the Clippers a 49-37 lead at the 4:56
mark. The Clippers defense held Reading to just 9 points in the period while
exploding for 21 of their own. Watkins led the way 9 of his team/co-game high
27 points and Taylor added 6 which helped him match his season high of 14
points. This resulted in a 60-46 Chester lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
After starting the 4th
quarter with 3 consecutive turnover Chester saw their lead dip to 60-51 before
Watkins rebounded a missed Reading shot and scored at the other end to push the
lead back to double digits 62-51 at the 6:23 mark. Two more DeJarnette free
throws and the lead was 64-51 at 5:46. The Red Knights capitalized on the
Clippers turnovers and missed free throw and was with six (66-60) with 3:25
showing on the clock. Watkins rebounded the Reading next shot attempt and Smith
converted two free throws. After a steal by Smith, DeJarnette knocked down a
free throw to push the lead 69-60 at 2:49. Chester did not score on their next
three possessions enabling Reading to produce a 8-0 run before Taylor's layup
stopped the madness at 1:05. Chester - 71, Reading - 68. After Watkins assisted
bucket from Taylor gave the Clippers the 73-70 lead with 45 seconds remaining;
Smith went 4 of 4 from the line to seal the win.
Watkins finished with
his fourth double double of the season by hauling in 15 rebounds to go along
with his 27 points and career high 5 assists. Michael Smith finished with a
season high 21 points and Rahmaad DeJarnette joined the double digit party with
13 points. While matching his season high of 14 points, Akeem Taylor Jr. filled
the stat sheet with a season highs of 6 assists. Junior Rahmee Gilbert
contributed season highs of 4 assists and 5 steals to go along with his lone
1st quarter bucket. The Clippers finished with 20 assists on 30 made baskets.
The Clippers will get a
nice break during the holiday season before returning to action on Thursday,
December 27th when they travel to Lower Merion to take on the Aces in the Kobe
Bryant Scholastic Play-by-Play Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Merry Christmas
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