Chester Survives at Clip Joint

 By Terry Thomas

The Clipper's maintained their strangle hold on the Chichester Eagles (3-6) with a 48-44 come from behind victory at the Clip Joint. Chester is now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in Del Val League play. Based off research from Dave Burman, Chester have now won the last 71 straight games against Chichester dating back to January 1987. They have also captured 92 of the last 93 meeting with Chichester's. Prior to 1987, Chichester's last win against the Chester was in January 1975.

Chichester started the first quarter playing with the intention to end their drought at the Clip Joint if not for the long-distance shooting of the Clippers. Sophomore Kevin Rucker and senior Yinka Itabiyi connected on 2 and 1 three pointers respectively. Sophomore Larenzo Jerkins add four points including a basket to close out the 1st quarter giving Chester a slim 14-13 lead.

The fatigue from their third game in three days became apparent as the Clippers could not find their mark in the middle two periods. They were limited to just 17 points during that span including a dismal 3 of 10 from the charity stripe. The Eagles on the other hand played like a team on a mission taking advantage of the gift given by Chester. Chester trailed 24-22 at half-time and 31-36 going into the final 8 minutes of play.

Chester started the fourth quarter no different than the previous two with a turnover that Chichester turned into a basket and a 38-31 lead with 7:15 on the clock. The Eagles next possession, Jerkins stole the ball and passed to a sprinting Isaiah Freeman who finished with a layup. With the score Chester now trailing 33-38, Coach Taylor called time-out at 6:38 to refocus his troops. Whatever Coach Taylor said garnered immediate dividends as the Clippers dominated 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Chester patented press and pressure resulted in a 7-0 run capped by another Freeman basket at the 4:00 mark and the Clippers now leading 40-38. After Chichester tied the score at 40, senior Yinka Itabiyi stripped his man and scored giving the Clippers the lead it would not relinquish. The energy the Clippers expended over the previous two nights coupled with their defensive effort in this fourth quarter definitely had an impact on their legs. The outcome was in full display at the free throw line where Chester shot horribly connecting on only 7 of 17 attempts in the 4th quarter. Senior Qadir Lowrie was the bright light saving the evening by scoring Chester final 5 points by knocking down 5 of 6 free throws. Oh, they were his only points in the game. That's what seniors do.

Tonight's contest is sort of one for the record books as no Clipper scored in double figures. Isaiah Freeman and Larenzo Jerkins were high man with 9 points each. Freeman filled the stat sheet with a career high 6 assists to go along with 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Jerkins did his part with 7 rebounds and a career high 4 steals. Itabiyi scored 7 points, Kevin Rucker and Kyree Womack each contributed 6 points, Breilynd White had 5 points and Terrence Cobb completed the scoring with 1 point.

Chester will hit the highway on Friday to participate in the Hoops for Harmony: Stand Against Racism Showcase at Chambersburg High School. They will face Keystone Academy on Saturday, January 15th at 1:00 pm and Cumberland Valley on Sunday, January 16th at 4:30 pm.

JV GAME SUMMARY

Chester's JV rebounded from their loss to Reading with a 54-45 win over the Chichester Eagles. Sophomore Hamza Clay-Goudelock led the way with a game high 16 points including 12 first quarter points where he outscored the entire Chichester team. Chester led 12-8 at the end of the quarter. Sophomore Nazir Berry scored 6 of his 12 points in the second quarter to hold off the Eagles. Chester held a slim 25-23 lead at intermission. Outscoring their opponents, 14-6 in the 3rd quarter, Chester opened a 10-point cushion to lead 39-29 going into the final quarter.

Chester Scoring: Emmanual Smith (8), Dallas Thompson (7), Ra'Shaad Dorsey (4), Dante Atkinson (4), Ryan Reed (3)

Freshman Dallas Thompson led the team with 4 assists and 2 steals.  Sophomores Hamza Clay-Goudelock and Jerry Young each hauled in 7 rebounds as well as 2 steals.

Chester's JV will return to action on Thursday, January 20th with a trip to Glenolden to face the Interboro Bucs.