By Terry Thomas
Freshman Kyree Womack scored 6 of his 10 points in overtime as the Clippers pulled away for the 58-48 win over the visiting Chester Charter Scholar Academy Sabers. While the atmosphere was more akin to a scrimmage (playing without fans) the intensity was high with bragging rights at stake claiming the title as the "Best in the City". It was reminiscent of the days when St. James Catholic High School was open and the best was determined on the court and not in the barber shops. For almost the last three decades Chester High was the only show in town until the Chester Charter Scholar Academy opened and began participating in Varsity sports. Today could be the start of an annual event that could really energize community spirit in the city of Chester. I see this game being played annually in front of a Standing Room Only crowd. I'm already looking forward to next season.
The Clippers started sluggishly on the offensive end scoring only 6 first quarter points but their defense was on point holding the Sabers scoreless. The Sabers were able to free themselves and made a run but senior Fareed Burton Jr scored 6 second quarter points allowing his team to hold off their opponents and take a 16-10 lead into intermission. Newcomer senior Jameel Burton Jr and fellow senior Shaquan Horsey provided support with 5 and 4 points respectively in the first half.
Newcomers Jameel Burton Jr, Kyree Womack and junior Isaiah Freeman made their presence felt in the third quarter as the Clippers built a 10-point lead 32-22 with 1:22 on the clock. Burton and Womack each contributed 4 points while Freeman muscled his way into 6 points of crucial rebounds and steals. The Sabers worked the clock and knocked down a trey as the horn sounded to end the 3rd quarter. Clippers - 32, Sabers - 25.
Fareed Burton Jr opened the final quarter with a bucket followed by Jameel Burton Jr's trey and the Clipper enjoyed their biggest margin of the game 37-25 at the 6:50 mark. Over the next minutes the Sabers began to find their mark and after Freeman's final bucket at the 2:58 mark the Clippers lead was now at 43-34. The Clippers would go scoreless over their next five possessions and the Sabers Davon Stovall connected on their third consecutive trey with 6.7 seconds on the clock to tie the game as 43. Jameel Burton Jr's shot would fall short and the teams were headed to overtime.
The Sabers connected on two free throws to open the scoring and take a brief 45-43 lead before Womack's put-back tied the game at 45 with 2:50 remaining. In true Clipper's fashion their patented run surfaced where they ran off 8 consecutive points breaking the game open at 53-45 with 53.2 second on the clock. The pressure the Clippers resulted in three consecutive steals, two by Fareed and one by Kyree. Jameel knocked down two free throws and junior Qadir Lowrie finished off the contest with two free throws securing the "City Championship".
Fareed Burton Jr led the Clippers with 19 points and Jameel Burton Jr was the third Clipper in double figures with 15 points. Freeman contributed 8 points to go along with a team high 7 rebounds. He also walked away with 2 steals.
Davon Stovall who led the Sabers with a game high 21 points and Sean Deshields joined him in double figures with 13 points for the Sabers.
The Clippers (1-0) will open Del Val League action on Thursday, January 28th when the Penn Wood Patriots visit the Clip Joint. Unfortunately, this game is currently scheduled to be played without fans.
JV GAME SUMMARY
The JV affair was a somewhat of a Clipper's reunion as former teammates faced off against each other in the Coach's box. The Clippers coached by Kenny Tate ('98) and the Sabers by Tahir Lowrie ('96). They shared the locker room as teammates during the 94-95 and 95-96 seasons and that's where the friendship ended at least for the next 28 minutes.
Tate's unit dominated from the start enroute to a 50-30 win. The Clippers led 15-5 after the first quarter, 28-9 at the half and 41-16 at the end of the third quarter. The Clippers had three players in double figures led by Samaad Powell's 16 points. He didn't play the final quarter. Freshman Dante Payne and sophomore Tahkel Walker added 11 and 10 points respectively. Freshman Kyree Womack (4), Hamza Clay-Goudelock (2), Dominic Toy (3) and Vince Coleman (2) showed signs for a bright future for the Clippers. Sophomore Karon Wilson came off the bench to produce two points to close out the scoring.
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