Sunday, January 7, 2024

Clippers Breeze Past the Patriots

By Terry Thomas

In Del Val League action, Chester (7-1, 1-0) overcame a sluggish first quarter for a 59-50 victory over the host Penn Wood (5-6, 0-1) Patriots. The Patriots fueled by the packed "Shoe Box on Essex Ave" jumped out to a 13-0 lead before Dante Atkinson stopped the bleeding with a trey at the 3:20 mark. Atkinson connected on two free throws and Jalen Harris scored off a steal from his brother Daron. Chester trailed 7-15 at the end of the quarter.

The Clippers carried the momentum into the second quarter. Junior Dallas Thompson capped a 13-2 run with a trey at the 3:40 mark giving Chester the lead 20-17. Senior Andre Brown started the run with a trey followed by two foul shots. Sophomore Daron Harris converted an offensive rebound into two points and junior Jaseir Thompson added a triple of his own. After the Patriots tied the score at 20 with a trey; Dallas Thompson added 3 more points and senior Vincent Coleman came off the bench for a bucket giving the Clippers a 25-22 advantage at the intermission. Chester's defense held Penn Wood to a 7-point quarter.

Chester started the third quarter with a trey from Atkinson and after exchanging baskets used a trey from Brown to gain a little breathing room at 34-28 with four minutes to play. On Chester next possession, Brown found his mark once again, 37-28. Daron Harris put-back on a missed Dominic Toy shot stretched the lead to 39-28 followed by two Atkinson free throws, 41-28 with 2:20 to play. Atkinson finished the quarter with a 4-point play securing the 45-31 lead. While the Patriots were limited to 9 third quarter points; Dante Atkinson finished with quarter with 10 of his game high 19 points. Andre Brown dropped in 6 of his seasons high 11 points.

With the game in their hands, Chester took a more conservative approach with each possession using the clock as their friend. While the Patriots started to find their mark, every time they got within 8 points the Clippers responded with a basket pushing the lead back to 10 points. Sophomore Jalen Harris added 4 of his 6 points, Atkinson added 4 more and Dallas Thompson, Jaseir Thompson and Calvin Williams each contributed 2 points to hold the Patriots at bay.

Dallas Thompson finished with a career high of 5 assists to go along with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. While plagued with foul trouble, Dominic Toy made his presence felt on the boards with a team high 8 rebounds. Daron Harris matched his career high of 6 rebounds and recorded 3 steals. The team had a season high of 8, made three-pointers.

The Clippers will return to action on Saturday, January 6 when they host Constitution of the Philadelphia Public League in the 1st Annual New Year Classic. Four games are scheduled; the Lady Clippers vs Executive Charter (JV tip off at 1:00 with the Varsity to follow at 2:00), the boys JV will face off against Constitution at 3:30 pm with the Varsity to follow at 5:00 pm.

JV GAME SUMMARY

The Clippers fell short in their comeback bid, 47-46, to the Penn Wood Patriots. Trailing by 9 points entering the fourth quarter, Chester put up an outstanding effort, outscoring the host 14-6. Ra'Shaad Dorsey lead the way with 10 of his game high 17 points. Trailing 46-47 with seconds left on the clock, the Clippers missed on two shots in the paint that could have game them the win. Dominique Gilyard and Nymeer Madison each scored two points in that final quarter. Nyrell Pray scored all 8 of his points in the first half.

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