By Terry Thomas
Chester (4-2) were
unable to overcome their slow start in falling to the West Chester East (7-1)
Rams 60-47 at the 15th Annual Pete/Jameer Nelson Classic on the campus of West
Chester University. Down 8-16 entering the 2nd quarter, junior Karell Watkins
deposited 11 of his team high 20 points as the Clippers closed to 23-26 at the
half. Chester usually strong defensive and offensive effort was AWOL in the 3rd
quarter as East pushed their lead back to 10 points, 30-40, to end the quarter.
Watkins once again led the Clippers with 7 points.
Led by junior Fareed
Burton Jr and senior Akeem Taylor Jr with 7 and 6 points respectively, Chester
got within 5, 47-53, with 1:25 remaining in the contest. However, the Clippers
went scoreless in the next five possession which allowed the Rams to close with
a 7-0 run.
For the second
consecutive game, all the Chester points came from their starting five. Watkins
recorded another double-double with 12 rebounds to go along with his 20 points.
Taylor joined him in double figures with 12 points followed by Burton with 9.
Rahmee Gilbert and Zahmir Carroll completed the scoring with 4 and 2 points
respectively. The Clippers finished with 8 assists on 18 made baskets.
The Clippers will return
to action on Monday, December 30th with the Pete/Jameer Nelson Classic returns
to Widener University. Chester will take on the Haverford School in the
nightcap scheduled for a 8:30 p.m. tip-off.
JV HOLIDAY RECAP
Chester's JV record now
stands at 4-2 after splitting games in the JV Christmas Tournament on the
campus of West Chester University.
Game 1 - Owen J.
Roberts: Saahir McMillan
led three Clippers in double figures with a game high 16 points as Chester won
easily 60-32. Lenny Camacho and Yinka Itabiyi joined the party with 11 points
each. Ten of the twelve Clippers who saw action entered their namews in the
scoring column. The other Chester scorers were Nasir Madison (8), William Smith
(4) followed by Donziar Ellis, Naeem Scott Jr, Kareem Devore, Keenan Warren and
Jermere Clark each with 2 points.
Game 2 - Central Buck
South: The Clippers let this
one slip away in overtime falling 46-47. Leading 46-44 with 7 second remaining,
a missed assignment left an open shooter who nailed a trey from the corner as
the buzzer sounded. Lenny Camacho was high scorer for Chester with 12 points.
Edward Harmon (8), Donziar Ellis (7) and Yinka Itabiyi contributed 6 points.
Nasir Madison and Jermere Clark each added four points coupled with two each
from William Smith and Keenan Warren.
The JV team return to
action on Saturday, January 4th when the Bartram Braves visit the Clip Joint.
JV tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m. with the Varsity to follow.