Chester cruises by Interboro

By Terry Thomas

The Clippers started fast with a 23-3 outburst and never let up, cruising to 81-27 victory over the host Interboro Bucs. With the win Chester is now 18-3 overall and finishes as undefeated (8-0) Del Val League Champions. This marks the third consecutive year they reign as undefeated champions.

With normal starters Fareed Burton Jr and Karell Watkins not suited up, the senior backcourt of Rahmee Gilbert and Akeem Taylor Jr stepped up in the 1st quarter producing 7 points apiece to lead the way. Fellow senior Zahmir Carroll who was also nursing a minor injury made the most of his limited playing time with 5 points and 3 rebounds in the first quarter. Gilbert would finish the evening with 11 points, 4 assist and 2 rebounds.

Being shorthanded, Taylor served as the stabilizer for the bench who were now getting starters minutes. Taylor served the Bucs with 17 of his 24 game high points in the middle two quarters. His points matched his season high. Junior 6'7" forward Shaquan Horsey took advantage of his opportunity with starters minutes producing his first double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds both career highs. He also rejected a career high 5 shots. He displayed consistency spreading his numbers over all four quarter. J'shon Lawler came off the bench and dropped in 5 second quarter points as the Clippers took a 47-13 lead into intermission.

Senior 6'4" forward Jahmaige Womack started the third quarter in place of Zahmir Carroll and entertained the crowd with 10 high flying points. He also hauled in 4 rebounds and finished the night with a career high 12 points. Taylor added 8 points, Horsey with 4 and Gilbert floated 2 points as the Mercy Rule was in play. Chester led 71-23 at the end of the quarter.

In the final 8 minutes of play, sophomore 6'4" guard Donziar Ellis gave the crowd a glimpse of what the future could hold using his length to set a career high of 4 steals which he converted into his career high 8 points. Ellis also had 1 blocked shot and 2 rebounds.

The Clippers will return to the Clip Joint on Thursday, February 6th to close out the regular season when they host Christiana (DE). There will be a triple header - Freshman, JV and Varsity - on that day with the Freshman tipping off at 4:00 followed by the JV and then the Varsity.

JV GAME RECAP

All nine Clippers who saw action entered the scoring column as Chester won easily - 70-20. Four were in double figures, Yinka Itabiyi (13), Lenny Camacho (12) and Nasir Madison and Keenan Warren each scored 10 points. Donziar Ellis just missed double figures with 9 points followed by William Smith (6), Edward Harmon (5), Naeem Scott Jr (3) and Jermere Clark (2). The Clippers were up 44-12 at the half.