Chester returns to familiar place: district final

It was old vs. new Tuesday night at Villanova University's Pavilion.

Chester arrived looking to take the next step toward its seventh district championship in the last 10 seasons and 19th overall. Neshaminy, better known for its vaunted football program, was making its first appearance in a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoff semifinal.

The newbie stayed with the veteran for 31 of the 32 minutes. In the end, though, experience - and quickness - won out.

Chester 77, Neshaminy 67.

The top-seeded Clippers, hurting the fifth-seeded Redskins too many times on the offensive glass, advanced to Friday's district final. Back at Villanova, in a 9 o'clock start, they will play No. 2 seed Council Rock North.

In Tuesday's semifinal opener, an all-Suburban One League affair, C.R. North, the National Conference titlist, topped No. 3 seed and American Conference champ Plymouth Whitemarsh, 58-50.

Against Neshaminy, Erikk Wright paced the Del-Val League champions with 20 points, including eight in the final eight minutes, and eight rebounds.

Chester's Darius Robinson netted eight of 14 points in the second quarter. Floor general Maurice Nelson (two three-pointers) and DeQuann "Bootsie" Walker (nine third-quarter points), a transfer from Malvern Prep, each added 13 points.

Early in the fourth quarter, Robinson and Nelson drained treys to put the Clippers in front, 59-53.

But the Redskins, spurred by junior standout and Villanova recruit Ryan Arcidiacono, kept things close. Arcidiacono's three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 69-65.

In the fourth quarter, Chester (25-1) went 10 for 14 from the free-throw line to keep Neshaminy (21-5) at bay.

Arcidiacono (20 points, 3 for 11 from three-point range) was supported by seniors Mike McGarry (13 points), Dwight Williams (13), and Charlie Marterella (10).

Neshaminy   21 17 12 17 – 67

Chester   17 18 18 24 – 77

N: Tyler Katz 7, Ryan Arcidiacono 20, Mike McGarry 13, Dwight Williams 13, Richie Schafer 4, Charlie Marterella 10.

C: Maurice Nelson 13, Lamon Church 9, Richard Grandbury 1, Erikk Wright 20, Rondae Jefferson 6, DeQuann Walker 13, Tavuane Griffin 1, Darius Robinson 14.