By Terry Thomas
The Clippers (24-4)
recovered from a twelve-point halftime deficit to defeat the Simon Gratz
Bulldogs (24-6), 63-62, on a three pointer from senior Zahmir Carroll at
Cardinal O'Hara High School. Simon Gratz entered the tournament as the
District-12 (Philadelphia) champions. The win advances Chester into the PIAA 6A
Quarterfinals against the Reading Red Knights on Saturday, March 14th at a site
to be determined. Chester now holds a 6-2 edge against District-12
(Philadelphia) and 2-0 record against Gratz in the State Tournament.
Playing in front of a
standing room only crowd, Chester opened the game with a 7-2 run capped by a
steal and dunk by Akeem Taylor Jr at the 3:10 mark. However, the Bulldogs
responded by closing the quarter with a 10-2 burst. Chester - 9, Simon Gratz -
12. In the 2nd quarter, Chester became careless with the ball and Gratz took
advantage of the opportunities outscoring the Clippers 19-10 putting the
Clippers in a 19-31 deficit at the intermission.
Simon Gratz opened the
third quarter with a trey, but the Clippers stormed back with a with a 17-2
run. Zahmir Carroll's bucket tied the score at 36 with 2:42 left in the quarter.
The teams exchanged baskets with the score being tied on 3 occasions before
junior Karell Watkins scored as time expired giving Chester a 43-41 lead.
Chester outscored Gratz 24-10 in the quarter. Watkins led the way with 9 of his
game high 22 points followed by Fareed Burton Jr's 6 points including hitting
on 4 of 4 free throws. Seniors Rahmee Gilbert and Akeem Taylor Jr added 4 and 3
points respectively. Taylor connected on 3 of 4 free throws.
After missing a shot to
open the 4th quarter, Watkins came up with a steal and was assisted by Burton
for a bucket for a 45-41 Chester lead. with a Watkins steals. Gratz
fought back and recaptured the lead, 49-48, after a trey from Yasir Rowell at
the 5:40 mark. Watkins scored after an offensive rebound putting the Clippers
in front 50-49 and a Chester timeout at 5:05. Chester failed to score on
their next three possessions and now trailed 50-51 at 3:41. The Clippers scored
on 3 of the next 4 possessions but the Bulldogs scored all four times and now
led 56-59 with 1:10 left. Carroll grabbed a defensive rebound and Burton drove
the lane for a finger-roll getting the Clippers with one, 58-59, and a Chester
time-out with 34.3 second remaining in the contest. Carroll answered the
Bulldogs two scoring off an offensive rebound to stay within one, 60-61, with
11.8 seconds on the clock. Yes, another Chester timeout.
Out of the timeout,
although they were in the double bonus Chester was forced to foul putting Gratz
on the line for two free throws. Watkins rebounded the second missed shot and
heaved a pass to Taylor. Unfortunately, Taylor was called for an offensive foul
with 0:05.3 on the clock. This time it was Gratz calling the timeout. Out of
the timeout once again the Clippers were forced to foul and with 4.3 seconds the
Bulldogs connected on the first free throw; Chester - 60, Gratz - 62. The
second free throw rimmed out, Watkins jumped up, snatched it and before
touching ground outlet the ball to Carroll streaming down the right side of the
court. Carroll was just outside the three-point line when he let the ball go
and it hit nothing but bottom just before the buzzer sounded. Chester - 63,
Simon Gratz - 62.
The players and fans
stormed the floor releasing 24-hours of emotions.
R.I.P. - Edward Harmon
and Get Well Soon - Jermere Clark
The Chester players and
coaches played this game with heavy hearts due to the recent tragedy that has
fallen upon them. On Tuesday (3/10/2020) afternoon, these two members of this
year's team were playing basketball in front of Ed's house when an unknown
individual decided to open fire and shoot these two young men. Their families
along with a strong representation of the student body were in attendance at
tonight's game. Their families and the team lined up at mid-court as they were greeted
by the Simon Gratz and Mastery Charter North (Girls) teams in an emotional
display of respect and unity. Much respect to them as well as the Cardinal
O'Hara game administrators for allowing that moment as well as the "Moment
of Silence".