Saturday, January 26, 2019

Chester High Boys Basketball sweeps Chichester


By Terry Thomas

Chester completed the sweep of the Chichester Eagles easily defeating them 96-62 and remained atop the Del Val with a 6-0 record. The Clippers also extended their 2019 win streak to 9 games improving their overall record to 13-4.

The Clippers got off to a good start with sophomore Karell Watkins and senior Michael Smith leading the way combining for 12 of their 17 first quarter points. Chester led 17-12 at the end of the quarter. The major damage was done in the middle two quarters as the Clippers outscored the Eagles 53-28 taking a 70-46 lead into the final quarter. Watkins dropped in 11 points, Smith added 10 and junior Akeem Taylor Jr. chimed in with 8 points. Junior Rahmee Gilbert and senior Rahmaad DeJarnette each helped out with 7. Completing the outburst were Junior Zahmir Carroll (5), senior Javan Graham (3) and sophomore Fareed Burton Jr. (2).

Unlike the Penn Hills game, when the bench hit the floor they continued to do work as the Clippers outscored the Eagles 26-22 for the final margin. Senior Christian Massena put up 6 points to led the seven player who scored in the quarter.

Sophomore Shaquan Horsey scored the first two points of his career in the contest. In all 11 of the 12 Clippers who saw action entered the scoring column.

Sophomore Karell Watkins led the way with a double-double consisting of a game high 25 points and 16 rebounds. Smith (17) and Gilbert (12) joined him in double figures. Taylor and DeJarnette just missed double figures with 9 points apiece. Massena (6), Carroll (5), Graham (5), Burton (4) and Naim Berry’s 2 points accounted for Chester production. Carroll also finished with a career tying 10 rebounds to go along with 2 blocks, 2 steals and 1 assist.

Jasir Shaw, son of former Clipper Jamar "Solo" Shaw, scored 12 points for the Eagles.

Chester will complete their 5 game road trip on Saturday, January 26th when they travel to York, PA to take on the William Penn (York) Bearcats. The JV game is slated for 3:30 with the Varsity to follow.

Update: Chester vs York Game Cancelled
Sorry to report that our game against the York Bearcats on Saturday, January 26th was cancelled due to a situation York High School. The rescheduled date is to be determined.

The Clippers will return home and resume Del Val League action on Tuesday, January 29th when the Interboro Bucs visit the Clip Joint. The JV will tip-off at 6:00 pm with the Varsity to follow.


Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Chester High Boys Basketball remains atop the Del Val


By Terry Thomas

The Chester Clippers (12-4) continues to sail through 2019 and the Del Val with a 67-61 victory over the host Academy Park Knights. The win keeps the Clippers clean for both 2019 at 8-0 and the Del Val at 5-0. Chester took a 14 point lead into the final quarter and it was too much for the Knights to overcome.

Sophomore Karell Watkins led four Clippers in double figures with 18 points followed by senior point guard Michael Smith's 16 points. Senior Rahmaad DeJarnette and junior Akeem Taylor Jr completed the quad with 14 and 10 points.

Trailing early in the 1st quarter, a bucket from Smith cut the deficit to 11-12. Back to back baskets from DeJarnette and a free throw from Rahmee Gilbert game the Clippers the lead at the end of the quarter, 16-12. Chester increased it's lead to 10 points at close of the 2nd quarter behind 8 points from Watkins, 5 from DeJarnette, 3 from Gilbert and 2 from Taylor. Chester led at the break 34-24.

Taylor controlled the lane in the 3rd quarter with 8 points as the Clippers began to pull away from the Knights. Smith returned to the scoring column with 5 points and Watkins added 4. DeJarnette and Gilbert chipped in with 3 and 1 points. The Clippers sailed into the final quarter with a 55-41 cushion.

With the Clippers going scoreless for 6 consecutive possessions in the 4th quarter the Knights were able to pull within 2 at 63-61. Chester was able to milk the clock and a bucket from Watkins provided more breathing room at 65-61 with just over 1 minute left in the contest. Watkins would rebound the Knights last two shots giving him 11 rebounds and yet another double-double on the season.

Gilbert finished with 7 points and Zahmir Carroll dropped in the final two points for Chester. Although he didn't add his name to the scoring column, senior Javan Graham produced 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Chester will take to the road for the 4th consecutive game as they cycle through the Del Val League schedule with a trip to Chichester to face the Eagles on Thursday, January 24th. The JV will tipoff at 3:30 with the Varsity to follow around 5:00 p.m.

Chester High Boys Basketball completes a successful road trip


By Terry Thomas

The Chester Clippers took their show on the road to Pittsburgh, PA to participate in the 1st Annual Stand Against Violence Showcase at Woodland Hills High School. The event was being held to bring attention to the senseless deaths to the youth of the area. On the walls of the school pictures were hung of the Woodland Hills students that have lost their lives to the street violence. Unfortunately it's a script that can be repeated throughout this country. There were several stations throughout the hallways distributing information but the weather forced the cancellation of the seminars that were scheduled because the speakers could not complete the trip. Mr. Ronald Coursey, the Woodland Hills High School Athletics Director, spent countless hours putting this program/tournament together and I wish him great success in his future endeavors.

Saturday, January 19th
Now back to the Clippers ... the storm did not only impact the speakers it had an impact on some of the 37 teams scheduled to appear including our Saturday opponent Gilman from Baltimore, MD. Since Gilman was unable to make the trip to Pittsburgh, the Bishop McDevitt Lancers from the Philadelphia Catholic League was penciled in their place. Th e Lancers were scheduled to play Central from New Jersey who also did not make the trip.

The Clippers were able to beat the Lancers 60-52 in a closely contested affair. The back-court of Michael Smith and Akeem Taylor led the way for Chester (10-4) in the first quarter with 6 points apiece and Rahmee Gilbert came off the bench to deposit a bucket giving the Clippers a 14-12 lead after the first quarter. The Clippers used five players led by Rahmaad DeJarnette's 5 points to outscore the Lancers 12-11 to take a 26-23 lead into the locker room at the intermission.

The third quarter was all about sophomore Karell Watkins. With the focus being on the guard play he took advantage scoring 10 of his 15 points coupled with 10 rebounds to claim another double-double on the season. Taylor and DeJarnette continued to contribute with 4 and 3 points respectively as the Clippers were able to maintain the lead at 43-36.

Chester was able to push the lead to 10 points midway through the final quarter and their ability to connect on 7 of 9 free throws allowed them to seal the victory. Four Clippers scored in double figures. Akeem Taylor Jr. joined Watkins with game highs of 15 points. DeJarnette added 13 and Smith drained 10 including 6 of 7 from the charity stripe.

Sunday, January 20th
The Clippers opponent on Sunday was the Penn Hills Indians (12-3) from District 7 who are rivals of the host Woodland Hills Wolverines. So while they had their supporters, we were being backed up by host Wolverines fans. Chester (11-4) represented well sailing past Penn Hills 84-77 to keep their unbeaten 2019 steak alive at 7 games. The Indians started fast and the Clippers trailed 15-18 at the end of the first quarter. Senior Michael Smith got hot in the 2nd quarter with 10 of his season high 29 points to close the gap to two points at the half. Chester now trailed 32-34.

After intermission it was all she wrote for the Indians as they had no answer for the patented Clippers third quarter. Yes they found out the hard way with a 28 point outburst and a relentless defense that held them to 11 points. The Clippers cruised into the final quarter leading 60-45. The Clippers used six players for the point production with Karell Watkins leading the way with 7 points. Smith added 6, Akeem Taylor dropped 5, Rahmaad DeJarnette and Zahmir Carroll contributed 4 apiece. Senior Javan Graham came off the bench and was a difference in the quarter hauling in 5 rebounds and depositing two points.

Sad to say for the Indians the storm was not over yet, after Michael Smith knocked down both ends of a 1 and 1 at the 5:45 mark of the 4th quarter; the score read 70-47 Chester. Smith produced 11 points in the quarter which included being perfect from the line at 7 for 7. Watkins helped with 9 of this 22 points and Gilbert contributed his 4 points. With the Clippers using their reserves, the Indians kept their starters on the floor and pressed to make the score look more respectable but it was a lost cause.

DeJarnette filled his stat line with 9 points, 4 assists, 1 blocked shot, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Taylor - 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot. Carroll - 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot. Graham - 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 1 assist and 1 steal. Rahmee Gilbert - 4 points, 3 assists and 3 steals

Chester will resume league play on Tuesday, January 22nd when they travel to
Glenolden, PA to take on the Academy Park Knights. The JV will tip-off at 5:30 with the Varsity to follow.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Chester Boys Basketball defeats visiting Penn Wood


By Terry Thomas

The Clippers remained undefeated in League play at 4-0 with a 67-50 win over the visiting Penn Wood Patriots. Their 5th consecutive win in 2019 pushes their overall record to 9-4 while the Patriots drop to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in league play.

After sophomore Karell Watkins bucket gave Chester the lead at 7-6, the Clippers sailed away from the Patriots and never relinquished the lead. Watkins led four Clippers in double figures with a game high of 21 points. As has become his custom, Watkins finished with a double-double cleaning the boards for 10 rebounds. Senior Rahmaad DeJarnette added 16 point to go along with his 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Senior point guard Michael Smith dropped in two treys and was perfect from the charity stripe going 8 for 8 for 14 points. He filled his stat sheet with 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal with only 1 turnover. Junior Akeem Taylor made his presence felt inside the paint with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 1 assist and 1 steal. Senior Christian Massena and junior Zahmir Carroll each contributed 2 points for the team's total.

Chester led 16-8 after the first quarter, 28-25 at the half and 47-37 after 3 quarters.

Although junior Rahmee Gilbert was held scoreless, he expended his energies on the defensive end where he recorded a career high 8 steals. Those were the most from a Clippers since Rondae Jefferson (now Hollis-Jefferson) recorded 8 steals on February 11, 2012. Gilbert also contributed 3 assists and 2 rebounds.

The Clippers will take to the road for 7 of their 9 regular season games starting with a trip to Pittsburgh participating in the 1st Annual Stand Against Violence Showcase. They will face the Gilman (MD) Greyhounds on Saturday, January 19th and the Penn Hills (PA) Indians on Sunday, January 20th.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Chester High Boys Basketball continues to sail


By Terry Thomas

Chester won their fourth consecutive of 2019 easily defeating the Glen Mills Battlin'  Bulls 79-44 at the Fred Pickett Gymnasium aka “Clip Joint”. The victory moves the Clippers to 8-4 overall and 3-0 in Del Val League play. Operating effectively on the offensive end, the Chester starting five joined forces to produce 19 first quarter points. Their defense was not as cohesive giving up 12 points. Sophomore Karell Watkins led the way with 6, senior Michael Smith added 5, senior Javan Graham starting his 3rd consecutive game dropped in 4 and junior Zahmir Carroll along with senior Rahmaad DeJarnette completed the scoring with 2 apiece.

The Clippers defensive woes continued into the second quarter where they were outscored 11-13 and saw their lead cut to 30-25 at the intermission. Juniors Rahmee Gilbert and Akeem Taylor Jr. scored 4 and 3 points respectively while Smith and Carroll chipped in a bucket each to hold off the Batllin' Bulls.

The Clippers used the halftime break to recharge their focus and the results proved fruitful holding the Bulls to 8 third quarter points. On the offensive end the flood gates were open where they hit the Bulls with 28 points. DeJarnette scored 9 of his 11 points, Watkins controlled the boards with 8 points, Smith laid in 6 of his 15 and Taylor drained 5 of his 9. Chester led 58-33 at the end of the quarter.

Sophomore Fareed Burton Jr. led the charge in the final quarter where he scored all 7 of his points and Chester outscored Glen Mills 21-11 for the final margin.

Senior point guard Michael Smith controlled the game in all facets recording a double-double with his 15 points and a career high 10 rebounds. He also recorded 5 assists and 4 steals. Sophomore Karell Watkins collected his 10th double-double in 12 games with 10 rebounds to go along with his 16 points. DeJarnette added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Taylor finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Gilbert accounted for 8 points and the team's only blocked shot. Senior Naim Berry Jr. came off the bench and knocked down a trey that energized the crowd. Fellow senior Christian Massena made the most of his fourth quarter minutes with 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist.

The Clippers will return to action on Thursday, January 17th, when they host Del Val League opponent Penn Wood Patriots. The JV will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. with the Varsity to follow.