Chester pulls away from Norristown

This game wasn't played in front of big crowds like last season's matchups at Villanova and Penn State, and a PIAA Class AAAA state championship title wasn't on the line.

But Chester vs. Norristown is still one of the biggest tickets in Pennsylvania. And in case you're wondering, the Clippers still have the Eagles' number.

Chester defeated Norristown, 58-47, in last night's Pete Nelson Classic at Widener University.

It was the Clippers' third victory in as many meetings with the Eagles dating back to last season. Chester (5-1) defeated Norristown in last season's District 1 Class AAAA final at Villanova. The Clippers then prevailed in the state championship game at Penn State.

Guard Maurice Nelson, a junior transfer from Valley Forge Military Academy, paced the Clippers.

Nelson scored a team-high 16 points for The Inquirer's fifth-ranked team in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Kareem Robinson added 8.

Senior guard Khalif Wyatt led the area's 10th-ranked Norristown Eagles (5-2) with a team-high 16 points.

The Eagles had early 5-0 and 8-4 cushions over the inexperienced Clippers. But Rahlir Jefferson's three-point play gave Chester a commanding 37-23 lead midway through the third quarter.

Norristown refused to give up, though, and pulled to within six points, 39-33, late in the quarter. But that was as close as the Eagles got.

Norristown 12 7 14 14 - 47

Chester 12 9 21 16 - 58

N: Sheldon Mayer 3, Khalif Wyatt 16, Lorenzo Christmas 9, Jarrell Gardner 5, James Ramsey 4, Tevin Bush 2, Tom Smith 8.

C: Kareem Robinson 8, Laquan Robinson 6, Maurice Nelson 16, Alvin Tinch 3, Dymore Crews 6, Keyon Staples 2, Rahlir Jefferson 12, Learon Pray 5.