Chester’s Rahmee Gilbert, shown during a game against Methacton, scored 14 points and helped William Allen get frustrated Saturday night as the Clippers ran off a 76-63 victory in the first round of the PIAA Class 6A tournament. (Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group)
By Matthew DeGeorge
If you were wondering what team was most likely to get frustrated Saturday at Oxford Area High School, it might’ve been the team getting outworked on the offensive boards. It might’ve been the team getting outhustled, out-physicaled and at times left to watch its opponents pogo stick for rebounds near the hoop.
But that isn’t Chester. And even though William Allen by and large had its way on the glass in the PIAA Class 6A first-round boys basketball game, the Clippers didn’t get rattled, converting at the line and walking away when the Canaries’ frustrations boiled over.
Chester pulled away late as William Allen had two starters pick up technicals and foul out late in a 76-63 Clippers victory.
The win moves Chester (23-4) into the Round of 16 against District 12 champ Simon Gratz, which rallied past Garnet Valley Saturday. That game will be Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.
Chester kept its cool, even when William Allen’s Nate Ellis chucked the ball at Chester’s Rahmee Gilbert after an offensive foul in the third quarter. Gilbert tossed it back at him for off-setting technicals, but Chester won the free-throw exchange.