By Terry Thomas
Chester falls to 4-2 after coming up short 63-67 against the Reading Red Knights (10-1). Reading ran their offense to perfection in the opening quarter knocking down the open looks for a 23-point outburst including four treys. The Clippers meanwhile could not find their mark from outside and worked the ball inside with sophomore Larenzo Jerkins leading the way with 7 of his team high 15 points. Senior Isaiah Freeman and sophomore Kevin Rucker each contributed a bucket in the paint while sophomore Kyree Womack connected on a trey. Chester trailed 14-23 at the end of the quarter.
The Clippers made the defensive adjustment in the second quarter limiting their guests to one made 3-pointer which enabled them to close the gap by intermission. Chester was able to force turnovers resulting in easy buckets while senior Qadir Lowrie found his shot scoring 5 of his 8 points. Jerkins and Womack each contributed 4 second quarter points. Freeman chipped in 3 points and junior Breilynd White connected on 1 of 2 free throws for Chester's 17-point production. The Clipper trailed 31-35 at halftime.
The Clippers opened the 3rd quarter with a 6-2 run ignited by White scoring 4 of his 8 points to tie the score at 37 with 6:02 on the clock. Breilynd White rebounded Reading's missed shot pushing the ball up court connecting with Rucker for a 3-pointer and the Clippers were in front 40-37 with 5:35 to play. It was Chester first lead since they opened the game with a 4-0 start. Reading would recapture the lead and Chester would tie the game at 43 this time on a Lowrie trey at the 3:40 mark. After Womack connects on 1 of 2 free throws, Freeman would be left wide open for a trey and Chester led 47-43 with two minutes left in the quarter. Unable to score on their next three possessions, the teams finished the third stanza dead-locked at 47. Although the gym was sans fans the playoff atmosphere was palpable.
The final quarter started with 3 lead changes before a Freeman free throw tied the score at 55 with 4:17 remaining. A turnover and a missed layup by the Clippers allowed the Red Knight's a four-point cushion, 55-59, and the lead they would not relinquish. The teams exchanged baskets the remainder of the contest.
Three Clippers finished in double figures, Jerkins (15), Womack (12) and Rucker (11); while Freeman (9), Lowrie (8) and White (8) were close. Jerkins recorded another double-double by hauling in 10 rebounds and Freeman almost had one by cleaning the glass with 13 rebounds. The team distributed the ball recording 13 assists on 25 made baskets.
Chester will complete their three-game home stand with a Del Val League contest on Thursday, January 13th hosting the Chichester Eagles. The JV game tips off at 5:30 pm with the Varsity to follow. You can follow the action at Cmpradio.net via YouTube or Facebook.
JV GAME SUMMARY
Chester's JV falls to 2-2 on the season after a 36-45 setback at the hands of the Reading Red Knights. Sophomores Dante Atkinson and Hamza Clay-Goudelock led the way each scoring 13 points. Freshman Dallas Thompson dropped in 8 points including going 4 of 4 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Nazir Berry completed the scoring with 2 points. The team trailed 10-12 at the end of the first quarter but was outscored 25-12 over the middle two quarters finding themselves in a 22-37 deficit heading into the final quarter. Although they held their opponents to just 8 fourth quarter points, the hole was just too deep to overcome.
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