Chester captures their sixth consecutive District 1 title
by defeating Plymouth Whitemarsh 70-62 at Villanova University. Prep Charter
wins its first Philadelphia Public League championship in school history by
defeating Simon Gratz 49-48.
By
Gregory Goettner
District 1 “AAAA”
Championship
#4 Chester 70 – #5
Plymouth Whitemarsh 62
For the sixth consecutive year
the Chester Clippers took home another District 1 title by defeating Plymouth
Whitemarsh 70-62. In the past ten years the Clippers have won 7 District 1
titles. The Clippers have now won 19 District 1 titles in their school history.
Things didn’t come easy for the
Clippers as they found themselves down 14-13 after one quarter of play. The
Chester defense had a tough time covering Plymouth Whitemarsh forward Anthony
Minor. Minor scored 7 points during the first quarter including a nice two
handed dunk.
Anthony Minor
continued his dominant play into the second quarters as he and Lance Wilson
scored all but two of the Colonials second quarter points, combining for 14
points. Plymouth Whitemarsh’s excellent second quarter defense forced Chester
into many bad possessions. Right before half Lance Wilson stole a Chester
pass and went coast to coast for a lay up as time expired, to build a 32-26 lead
into halftime.
Chester began the third quarter
on a mission. This was the best I have seen the Clippers play all season. The
Clippers opened up the third on an 11-0 run to take a 37-34 lead. The Clippers
outscored the Colonials 19-5 during the third to build a 45-37 lead after three
quarters of play. Chester junior forwards 6’6 Russell Johnson and 6’5
Nasir Robinson had huge quarter as they combined for 17 of the Clippers 19
third quarter points. Clipper guards Micah Covert and junior Karon
Burton did an outstanding job distributing the ball to the junior forwards.
Chester continued their hot
play by starting off the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run to build their biggest
lead of the game 56-39 but Plymouth Whitemarsh wouldn’t go away as they
responded with an 8-0 run including back to back three pointers to cut the
Clippers lead to 56-47 with 4 minutes remaining. At the four minute mark,
Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Anthony Minor picked up his fifth foul and one
minute later senior Marquise Boggs also picked up his fifth foul. With
two starters on the bench the Colonials relied on three point shooting to climb
back into the game (six three pointers in the fourth quarter). After a lay up
from junior Brad Brown the Colonials cut the Clippers lead to 65-62 with
under a minute left of play. The Colonials quickly fouled Chester guard Micah
Covert. Covert hit 1 of 2 free throws to expand the Clippers lead to 66-62.
After a big defensive stop the Clippers got the ball into Covert’s hands again
as he sunk both free throws to take a 68-62 lead with 12 seconds remaining.
Chester junior Karon Burton would cap of the Clippers victory by
converting on two free throws, as the Clippers held on to win 70-62.
Chester was led by junior
Russell Johnson as he ended the game with a double double, scoring a game
high 20 points and collecting 13 rebounds. Junior Nasir Robinson scored
18 points, including an eye opening dunk and grabbed 7 rebounds. Junior Karon
Burton scored 11 points (5-6 from the free throw line) all coming in the
second half, and senior Micah Covert ended the game with 13 points and 5
rebounds.
Plymouth Whitemarsh senior
Lance Wilson scored a team high 16 points, senior Anthony Minor ended
with 13 points, and senior Mike Acquaviva chipped in 11 points.
Notes:
The third quarter was the best I have seen the Clippers play, if
they play like that during the state play offs this team could be very tough to
beat.
Clipper History:
The Clippers are 31-0 in their last thirty one
District One playoff games.
What’s up next?
Chester will play the runner of the District 2 next Saturday.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will go against District 12, fourth place finisher Thomas
Edison.
Philadelphia Public
League Championship:
#3 Prep Charter 49 –
Simon Gratz 48
The new comers on the block,
Prep Charter defeated the defending Philadelphia Public League champion Simon
Gratz 49-48 at the Liacourus Center to capture their first Philadelphia Public
League championship in school history.
The Huskies who are the
defending PIAA “AA” champions have never won a Philadelphia Pubic League
championship. Not only have they never won a championship, but this was their
first appearance in a Philadelphia Public League championship.
The Huskies got a big game out
of Memphis bound seniors Marcus and Markieff Morris. The Morris
brothers used their height advantage as they combined for 33 of their teams 49
points. Leading all scorers was 6’10 Markieff Morris; Markieff ended the
game with 23 points while his twin brother Marcus chipped in 10 points.
Continuing his consistent play sophomore shooting guard Jesse Morgan
scored 9 points.
Gratz saw three players reach
double digits, senior Tommie “TJ” Sykes 13 points, junior Charles
White 11 points, and senior point guard Josh “Scrap” Martin 10
points.
What’s up next?
Prep Charter will try and defend their “AA” Pennsylvania
state championship against District 3, third place team, while Simon Gratz will
be looking for their first “AAAA” Pennsylvania state play off win next Saturday
against the 7th place finisher of District 1 (winner of the Upper
Darby/Ridley game.)
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