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.