Chester Goes 1-1 at the Stand Against Racism Showcase

By Terry Thomas

Over the past weekend, the Chester Clippers participated in the 2^nd Annual Hoops for Harmony: Stand Against Racism Basketball Showcase on the campus of Chambersburg Area High School. The showcase allows for not only socializing and competitive sporting fun, but also business networking opportunities and solution-oriented dialogue about this ongoing problem. In alignment with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "Dream" of Racial Harmony, the showcase was intentionally scheduled to align with his birthday weekend. 

Saturday, January 14

The Clippers (7-6) closed out Day-2 with a 49-47 victory over the host Chambersburg Trojans (8-6). The backcourt of Terrence Cobb and Breilynd White combined for Chester 17 first quarter points and a 17-15 advantage. The Trojans fought back taking a slim 26-25 edge into intermission. Cobb produced 7 second quarter points that allowed the Clippers to stay within striking distance, 33-35, at the end of the third quarter. Junior Kyree Womack joined the party in the final quarter scoring 7 of his 9 points, White contributed 4, Cobb 3 and Calvin Williams added 2. Chester won the quarter, 16-12, giving them the margin of victory. 

Terrence Cobb led all scorers with a game high 22 points. Brielynd White added 11 points and matched his career high with 5 steals. Kyree Womack matched his career high of 5 assists in the contest. Dante Atkinson and Vincent Coleman each scored two points in the contest.

The victory was a major accomplishment for the Clippers. It marked the 2000^th win in their storied history; becoming just the 2^nd Pennsylvania school to accomplish that fete. Nationally, Chester becomes the 10^th winningest high school basketball program in the country (supplied by Dave Burman).

Sunday, January 15

The Clippers (7-7) came up short in Day 3, 68-73, in a loss to the Imani Christian Academy Saints (8-5) during the matinee contest. The pace was the opposite of the slow down affair display on Saturday night; the first quarter ended with the score tied at 19. Chester used 5 players to produce their output led by junior Jerry White's 6 points, Dante Atkinson and Kyree Womack each contributed 4 with Terrence Cobb and Calvin Williams adding 3 and 2 respectively. All fifteen of Chester's second quarter points came via the guard position: Cobb (7), Womack (4), Breilynd White (2) and sophomore Dallas Thompson (2). The Clippers trailed at the intermission, 34-37.

The Saints caught fire in the third quarter and took advantage of Chester's defensive mistakes by connecting on five treys. Chester while producing twelve points, found themselves trailing by 14 points when the quarter ended, 46-60. 

The final quarter began with Chester introducing the Saints to the grit that resides at 9^th and Barclay via a 10-0 run. The Clippers scored on their first four possessions: Vincent Coleman (2), Cobb (3), White (2) and Cobb (3). With 6:10 to play, Chester trailed 56-60. Imani stopped the run with a free throw but Cobb answered with his 6^th trey pulling his team within two, 59-61, at the 5:10 mark. Chester's sixth possession ended with a White trey and with 3:50 to go, Chester was within one, 62-63. After a couple missed shots, White connected on two free throws and Chester was back within one, 65-66, with 2:19 to play. The parade to the foul line began for the Saints where they scored their final 8 points while the Clippers found a cover over the rim from distance.

While eight players scored, they were led by Terrence Cobb with a game high 25 points including 6 treys and a career high 8 rebounds. Breilynd White and Jerry Young each contributed 9 points and Kyree Womack dropped 8. Junior Vincent Coleman banked 7 points and matched his career high of 6 rebounds. Dante Atkinson chipped in 6 points and Dallas Thompson and Calvin Williams each put up 2 points.

The Clippers will return to the comforts of the Clip Joint on Tuesday, January 17 when they will host Del Val League foe Interboro. JV tips off at 5:30 pm with the Varsity to follow.