Chester Overcomes Newark

By Terry Thomas

Once again, the Clippers (2-0) found themselves trailing at the half only to come from behind to defeat the visiting Newark (1-1) Yellow Jackets 47-42 at the Clip Joint. Chester held a slim 11-10 lead after the first quarter. Five Clippers entered the scoring column in the opening stanza led by Akeem Taylor's four points. Their inability to knock down free throw, shooting 3of 9, allowed for the close score. Chester's junior Karell Watkins scored the first three points in the second quarter giving his team a 14-12 lead but the Clippers would go scoreless over the next six minutes. The drought resulted in the Clippers trailing 15-22 at the half.

Taylor took control scoring 6 of his game high 14 points on mid-range jump shots in the third quarter. The Clippers were able to close the shorten the deficit to four points, 29-33, at the end of the quarter.

After rebounding the opening shot of the fourth quarter, Taylor was fouled and calmly knocked down two free throws making the score 31-33. Senior Zahmir Carroll stole the Yellow Jackets next possession and passed to Watkins for a dunk and the score was tied at 33 with 7 minutes remaining. After a couple Chester turnovers, Carroll would drain a trey once again knotting the score at 36 with 5:25 on the clock. The teams would exchange buckets before junior Fareed Burton Jr gave the Clippers the lead for good 39-31 with 4:31 remaining. After a steal by Burton who assisted on a basket by senior Rahmee Gilbert, Chester's lead grew to five points, 43-38, at the 3:50 mark. The Clippers inability to knock down free throws allow Newark to draw within one, 43-42, with 14.1 second remaining. The Yellow Jackets rebounded the missed Clippers free throw, but Watkins stole the pass, was fouled and drained the two free throw. Chester 45-42 with 8.1 seconds left in the contest. Gilbert would steal the next inbound pass and score the final two points of the contest.

Chester had two players in double figures Taylor with 14 and Watkins added a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Gilbert and Carroll each contributed 9 points and Burton completed the scoring with 4 points.

The Clippers have one more home game before they hit the road for their next four contest. Chester will face the Bayard Rustin Golden Knights on Saturday evening with tip off schedule for 6:15 p.m. The game will be the fourth and final game of the 4th Annual Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Classic. Also, schedule will be Garnet Valley vs Father Judge (1:00), Friends Central vs Math-Civics & Science (2:45), and Salesianum (DE) vs Bonner-Prendergrast (4:30)

JV Game Recap

Chester's Junior Varsity squad easily dismantled the Yellow Jackets leading from start to finish, 57-36. Junior Lenny Camacho with a game high 12 points led ten Clippers in scoring column. The other Chester scorers were Shaquan Horsey (9), Kareem Devore (8), Saahir McMillan, Yinka Itabiyi, Edward Harmon and Jermere Clark each with 5 points. Nasir Madison and Naim Jenkins contributed 3 points each and Keenan Warren completed the scoring with a bucket. The JV team will return to action on Friday, December 13th when Roman Catholic visits the Clip Joint for a Freshman-JV double header. The Freshman game will tip-off at 4:00 with the JV to follow.