Chester holds on against Penn Wood

By Terry Thomas

The Clippers (7-2, 1-0) held off the Patriots in the 4th quarter to secure a 72-69 victory in their Del Val opener at the Clip Joints. Both teams were aggressive offensively in the opening quarter with junior Karell Watkins leading the way for Chester with 8 of his team high 22 points. Fareed Burton Jr and Rahmee Gilbert connected on treys as the Clippers held a slim 19-18 lead at the end of the quarter. The Clippers inability to knock down free throws in the 2nd quarter allowed the Patriots to stay close at the half with the Clippers maintaining their one-point advantage. Chester - 35, Penn Wood - 34

Out of intermission the Clippers opened the 3rd quarter with a 9-0 run capped by a blocked shot by Akeem Taylor that led to a bucket by Watkins. The scoreboard now read 44-34 at 6:05. The inability to finish on their next four possession permitted the Patriots to respond with a 9-0 run to pull back within one, 44-43, at the 4:30 mark. Chester would finish the quarter with a 10-4 spurt led by Zahmir Carroll's four points and four consecutive free throws from Burton and Gilbert (two each). The quarter ended with the Clippers up 54-47.

The Clippers were able to maintain their focus at both ends of the court and after Watkins assisted Carroll for a bucket, their lead increased to 67-56 with 2:40 remaining in the contest. Chester's carelessness with the ball and their poor free throw shooting over the next seven possessions opened the door for the Patriots to pull within one, 68-67, with 40 seconds remaining. With 31 seconds showing senior Rahmee Gilbert connected on his two free throws for a 70-67 lead. After a Patriot bucket, Gilbert marched back to the line hitting 1 of 2 for a 71-69 advantage at the 0:15 mark. With 7 seconds left in the contest, Gilbert stole the ball and once again found himself at the free throw line with 1.7 left in the game. As in his previous visit to the line he connected on 1 of 2 for the final margin of 72-69. The Patriots last second heave fell short.

Gilbert finished the night in double figures with 17 points. Burton (9), Taylor (8), Carroll (8), Faheem Berry (6) and Lenny Camacho (2) completed the Clippers scoring.

Next up for the Clippers are Del Val opponents Academy Park Knights on Thursday, January 9th at the Clip Joint. The JV will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. with the Varsity to follow.

JV GAME RECAP

After a lackluster first half, the Clippers came alive in the 3rd quarter to blow away the Patriots by a score of 59-28. The team was sparked by Lenny Camacho who celebrated his birthday with a 10-0 run of his own. The run to the Clippers from 27-21 to 37-21. After a dunk from Shaquan Horsey and another basket from Camacho the lead was up to 41-21. Camacho scored all of his game high 14 points in that 3rd quarter. The lead grew to 55-21 before the Patriots stopped the bleeding with two free throws at the 2:52 mark in the final quarter.

Chester Box score: Lenny Camacho (14), Donziar Ellis (9), Horsey (6), Yinka Itabiyi (5), William Smith (4), Nasir Madison (4), Keenan Warren (4), Jermere Clark (4), Saahir McMillan (3), Naeem Scott Jr (3), Kareem Devore (3)