Chester Wins a Thriller

By Terry Thomas

Sophomore Jalen Harris hits a baseline floater with 2.3 seconds on the clock giving the Clippers (8-1) a 65-64 victory over the visiting Constitution (8-3) Generals. The contest was the final game of the Inaugural New Year's Classic held at Chester High School. Earlier in the afternoon, the Lady Clippers hosted the Executive Chart Raptors with Executive Charter winning the JV contest and Chester won the Varsity game. The Clippers boys won the JV and Varsity games against Constitution.

In typical Chester vs Philadelphia fashion, the game was very fast paced and aggressive from the beginning. Junior Dominic Toy opened the contest with a put-back and capped Chester's 11-3 run with a trey at the 3:23 mark. Junior Dallas Thompson and senior Dante Atkinson each contributed 3 points during the run. Dallas Thompson dropped another trey at with 1:20 to play that stopped a 7-0 Constitution run giving the Clippers a 14-10 advantage. A bucket from senior Calvin Williams gave Chester a 16-13 lead at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter began with the Constitution coming from behind to tie the game at 19 with 6 minutes to play. Jalen Harris knocked down a trey giving Chester a 22-19 lead with 5:40 to play igniting an 11-0 run that was capped with his brother Daron scoring at the 2:10 mark and Chester ahead 30-19. After the Generals stopped the run, Daron answered with another bucket and Chester went into intermission ahead 32-22. During Chester's 16-point outburst, they were led by Jalen with 5 points, Daron (4), Calvin Williams (3) and junior Jaseir Thompson and Atkinson each contributed 2 points.

With basketball being a game of runs, it was not surprising that the General would make a run as the third quarter began. After back-to-back treys from Atkinson, the Clippers were now ahead 40-32 with 5:38 to play. The Generals closed to within 40-38 before Dallas Thompson sparked his own 8-0 run beginning with a trey at the 2:45 mark and ending with a mid-range jumper with 1:28 left in the quarter. At this point, the officials began a parade to the Constitution free throw line where they scored 9 of their next 11 points. The quarter ended with Chester ahead 50-49. In the third quarter, the General were 13 of 15 from the free throw line while the Clippers were 3 of 4.

The fourth quarter began, and it was clear the direction this game was taking. Fortunately for the Clippers, fatigue was setting in on the legs of the Generals and they were unable to continue their proficiency from the free throw line. Once again, they were paraded to the free throw line for 15 attempts but were only able to connect on 8. For Chester, Jalen started the fourth with a trey, but the Generals were able to tie the score at 53 with 6:30 to play and continued their run taking a 57-53 lead. Calvin Williams scored the next four points for Chester, tying the score at 57 and Jalen scored once again giving Chester a 59-57 lead with 4:25 to play. After the Generals tied the score at 59, Chester score inched ahead 63-61 with 1:06 to play after a free throw from Jalen Harris. Constitution came through with a big-time trey with 43.8 seconds left in the contest taking a 64-63 lead. On Chester's next possession a mid-range jumper from Dante Atkinson rimmed out and into the hands of the Generals with 25 seconds on the clock. Jalen Harris hauled in his career high rebound #8 on the General's missed shot as the ball crossed half court the Clippers called for a timeout with 9.5 seconds to go.

Coming out of the time-out, the ball ended up in Jalen's hands and as he drove the baseline the defender stepped in, and Jalen lofted his floater that found nothing but the bottom of the net. Chester led 65-64 and the horn sounded, and the fans began to rush the court. However, the referees came to the table and told the clock operator to put 2.3 seconds back on the clock and awarded Constitution a time-out. After getting a look at the defense the Clippers were unfolding, the Generals called for back-to-back (their final) time-out. With the ball being taken out under the Chester basket, Chester put big Dominic Toy on the in-bounder which did not allow for a clean pass the length of the court. Once receiving the ball, the opposition was forced to make a long throw which fell short, and the crowd rushed to the floor.

Chester finished the contest with four players in double figures, three establishing new career highs including Dallas Thompson with 16, Calvin Williams with 14 and Jalen Harris with 13. Dante Atkinson finished with 11 points. Both Dallas and Dante fouled out of the contest in the fourth quarter. Jalen also finished the contest with 2 blocked shots, 1 assist and 1 steal. Calvin Williams was awarded game MVP finishing with 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

The Clippers will return to league play on Tuesday, January 9, with the Academy Park Knights visit the Clip Joint. The JV will tip off at 5:30 pm with the Varsity to follow.