Chester High Boy's Basketball (6-0) defeats Atlantic City High

Sturdivant earns MVP again

Chester improved to 6-0 and handed the Atlantic City Vikings (2-1) their first defeat by a score of 58-52. The game was the featured contest of the 10th Annual Pete Nelson Holiday Classic held on the campus of Widener University.

Chester's 6'8" Stony Brook University signee Tyrell Sturdivant led the way for the Clippers in the first quarter scoring six of their 10 points, but the Clippers trailed 10-11 at the end of the period. 

With the first possession of the 2nd quarter Chester would capture the lead 13-11 off a trey by 5'6" reserve Khaleeq Campbell. The teams would exchange buckets before consecutive baskets by Brewster Ward and Mahir Johnson would give the Clippers a 25-21 halftime margin. 

Chester's one-two punch of Johnson and Sturdivant combined with a trey from sophomore Marquis Collins enabled the Clippers to withstand a third quarter push by the Vikings. Chester - 37, Atlantic City - 36. 

The fourth quarter began in typical Chester style; increased pressure and a little run. After Chester's first two buckets, the Vikings would call timeout at 7:18 with the score 41-36. After the timeout the Clippers would score two more buckets to complete a 8-0 run to start the fourth. Chester would see their led reduced to three points 55-52 with 13.3 seconds remaining before Khaleeq Campbell connected on one of his two free throws for a little breathing room with a four point lead - 56-52. After rebounding the Vikings missed shot and being fouled, Sturdivant secured the win by connecting of both free throws for the final score of 58-52.

Tyrell Sturdivant, the game's MVP, finished with a game high 24 points and 12 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. He fell three blocked shots short of a triple double by rejecting 7 shots. Mahir Johnson joined him in double figures with 17 points. The team's ability to connect on 16 of 22 free throws allowed them the opportunity to stay in the contest.

Chester will return to action on Sunday, December 29th, with a 7:00 pm tip-off against Neumann-Goretti in the continuation of the Pete Nelson Classic at Widener.

by Terry Thomas