Chester seniors Karell Watkins, left, and Isaiah Freeman walk off court during a fourth-quarter timeout Monday. They’d walk off the court for the final time as Clippers in an 84-63 loss to Archbishop Ryan in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals. Pete Bannan – MediaNews Group
By Bob Grotz
The group text messaging leading up to the game was full of optimism, the Chester High Clippers just one victory from playing for a state title for the first time since the 2013 season.
Coach Keith Taylor encourages his players to earn their status in the storied tradition of Chester basketball through sacrifice, solidarity, teamwork and purpose. In the gym and out of it, senior guard Jameel Burton added Monday night. That is how it works.
“It was all about family,” Jameel Burton said. “He was really close to us. Everybody was close. Even off the court we were close, and I appreciate that a lot. I enjoyed that. Ninety percent of the team was in the group chat together. We see each other almost every day outside school, that’s how close we were. Some teams only see each other on the court. That’s not the case with us. Even after this season we’re going to be together almost every day.”