Chester Returns to Winning Ways

 By Terry Thomas

Chester (6-3) rebounded from their loss on Saturday by closing out the Hoops For Harmony: Stand Against Racism Showcase with a thrilling 50-42 win over District 3's Cumberland Valley Eagles (8-4). Because of the oncoming storm, the Chester vs Cumberland Valley game was moved up to 1:30 pm and the remainder of the schedule was cancelled.

Sophomore Larenzo Jerkins started strong scoring Chester's first 6 points and a bucket by fellow sophomore Kevin Rucker and the Clippers led 8-4 at the 4:50 mark. The Clipper ship had no wind in their sails over their next 10 possessions as they could only muster one point the remainder of the quarter. It was either a missed shot or a turnover that caused the ship to run aground. They trailed 9-10 as the quarter ended.

The Clippers began to wake up defensively and Kevin Rucker found his mark in the second quarter. After Jerkins tied the score at 15, two possessions later Rucker drained a trey as the Clippers regained the lead 18-17 with 55 seconds remaining in the quarter. Senior Isaiah Freeman hit a short pull-up in the lane and the Clippers led 20-18 at the intermission. 

The whistles were not kind to the Clippers to start the 3rd quarter. In their first 10 possessions, they were called for three traveling violations and two offensive fouls. On the ninth possession, Jerkins scored off an assist from Freeman to tie the game at 27 with 2:10 on the clock. On the next possession, the whistle sounded and an offensive foul was called against Freeman and another whistle sounded for a technical foul on the Chester bench. Two of Chester's final three possessions ended with the whistles blowing and Chester now trailing 29-33. 

Coach Taylor started junior Terrence Cobb in the fourth quarter and dividends were paid off immediately. The Clippers got the ball to start the quarter and he hit a short on the first possession. On their third possession, he drained a trey from the top of the key and the Clippers were within one, 34-35, with 6:20 remaining. After a steal from Jerkins, Freeman knocked down two free throws and Chester recaptured the lead 36-35. The following possession, this time it was Freeman's turn to find Cobb at the top of the key and Terrence returned the gesture by hitting another trey and putting the Clippers back on top 39-37 with 5:20 remaining. The route was on. Steal by "Yanks" Itabiyi - basket by Freeman, block by Jerkins, steal by Freeman - basket by Cobb, block by Jerkins - free throw from Freeman and then a basket by sophomore Kyree Womack. The Clippers did miss their next two shots but after a rebound by Jerkins, Womack went to the line shooting 1-and-1; he nailed them both and Chester's 19-4 run was complete. The Clippers now led 48-37 with 45.9 seconds remaining in the contest. With 36 seconds remaining, Cumberland Valley finally scored another basket. The Cumberland Valley drought lasted approximately 5 minutes as they were outscored 21-9 in the period. 

Terrence Cobb ignited the Clippers scoring 10 of his game high 13 points in the fourth quarter. Kevin Rucker and Larenzo Jerkins joined him in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Jerkins also filled the stat sheet with 1 assist, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and a young career high of 4 blocked shots. Isaiah Freeman recorded another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, he recorded 3 steals and matched his career high of 6 assists. Rucker erased the glass for 5 rebounds. The team concept was in full display as the team finished with 13 assists on 19 made baskets. 

After playing 5 games in 6 days, the Clippers will get a well-deserved break before returning to Del Val League action on Thursday, January 20th when they travel to Glenolden to take on the Interboro Bucs for a 5:30 pm JV tip-off; the Varsity will follow.