Chester Surges Pass the Interboro Bucs

 

By Terry Thomas

The Clipper improved their record to 7-3 overall and 3-0 in Del Val League action with a 81-59 victory over the host Interboro Bucs. Sophomore Larenzo Jerkins led all scorers with a career high of 23 points. He also earned career highs of 17 rebounds and 6 assists. Despite sophomores Jerkins and Kevin Rucker combining for 10 first quarter points, the inspired Bucs managed to hold the lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Chester trailed 13-16. 

In the second quarter, sophomore Kyree Womack added 6 of his 8 points while senior Olayinka "Yanks" Itabiyi scored his 5 points and junior Terrence Cobb added 4 points to cut within the Bucs lead. Chester trailed at the intermission 30-31.

The third quarter was the standard Clippers affair, erase a deficit with strong defensive pressure. After consecutive Chester turnovers, Kevin Rucker tied the game at 31 with 7:13 on the clock. Jerkins cleaned the glass on Interboro next shot which led to the first of three baskets in the quarter from junior Breilynd White and the route was on. Over the next 4 plus minutes the Clippers ran off a 18-4 run capped by a trey from senior Isaiah Freeman. Chester now led 49-35 with 2:25 remaining in the quarter. The Clippers outscored the Bucs 26-14 in the quarter to take a 56-45 lead into the final 8 minutes of play. White contributed 7 of his 16 points, Freeman added 7 of his 8 points and Cobb chimed in with 5 of his 12 points. 

Chester maintained their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter while the Jerkins and White took complete control of the offensive end. It was an inside/outside affair. Jerkins scored 12 points in the paint while White was putting up 9 points from the outside. Cobb drained another trey and senior Qadir Lowrie connected on 1 of 2 free throws as the Clippers produced 25 fourth quarter points. After leading 71-59 with 2:15 on the clock, Chester held their opponents scoreless the remainder of the contest.

With Jerkins (23), White (16), and Cobb (12) in double figures; Freeman and Womack just missed double-digits with 8 points apiece. Itabiyi and Rucker each contributed 5 points and Lowrie completed the scoring with 4 points. The Clippers finished with and outstanding 17 assists on 29 made baskets.

JV GAME SUMMARY

Sophomore Jerry Young led the way with a double-double consisting of 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers sailed passed the Bucs 63-42. Sophomore Dante Atkinson led all scorers with a game high 14 points including 10 first quarter points as the Clippers jumped out to a 21-8 first quarter lead. Chester led from start to finish in the contest outscoring their opponents in each quarter. Although he didn't score in the contest, sophomore Ra'Shaad Dorsey performed work in the paint with 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.  

Chester Scorers: Atkinson (14), Young (12), Nazir Berry (8), Hamza Clay-Goudelock (6), Emmanual Smith (6), Andre Brown (5), Dallas Thompson (4), Andre West (4), Tavon Grandberry (4)

The Clippers will return to action on Saturday, January 22nd when the William Penn (York) Bearcat visit the Clip Joint for a matinee affair. The JV will tip-off at 2:15 with the Varsity to follow. Only limited spectators (two parents of the players) will be allowed but you can follow the game on Cmpradio.net via YouTube or Facebook.