Inspired Chester pulls away from Bartram

Maybe all Chester needed to end its three-game losing streak was a little inspiration from a hometown hero.

On the night they retired Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s jersey inside Pickett Gymnasium, the Clippers got back in the win column Saturday night with a 69-49 rout of Bartram High.

Hollis-Jefferson is the fourth Chester High basketball player whose number was retired, joining fellow All-Delcos Horace Walker, Jameer Nelson and Darrin Govens.

Hollis-Jefferson, a two-time Daily Times Player of the Year, is recovering from injury in his rookie season with the Brooklyn Nets.

On the floor, the current Clippers dazzled. Chester (3-5) ripped open a 20-16 lead after one quarter with a 20-3 run in the second period. Donald Hodges (nine points) drained three 3-point field goals in the period as the Clippers seized control and never looked back.

Marquis Collins scored a team-high 11 points to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Khaleeq Campbell had a steady floor game with eight points — including two 3s — three assists, three rebounds and three blocks.

Making his first start of the season, Jamal Jones gave the Clippers a boost. The senior guard had six points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the victory.

In other nonleague games:

Radnor 55, Avon Grove 28 >> After a low-scoring first quarter (5-4), the host Raiders outscored their opponent, 50-24, the rest of the way. Mason Ressler poured in 15 points and Vernon Harper tossed in 15 for Radnor (8-3).

Bishop Shanahan 32, Penncrest 30 >> Doug Costin’s free-throw shooting and timely offensive rebound doomed the host Lions in the game’s final seconds.

Mike Mallon and Peter Spiotta each scored 10 points for Penncrest.

In the Bicentennial League:

Delco Christian 57, Plumstead Christian 52 >> The Knights put the clamps on defensively in the final minutes. Grant Fischer keyed the defensive effort with big rebounds down the stretch and recorded a team-high four blocked shots.

Three players scored in double figures for the Knights (6-3): Devin Hill had 19 points, Wyatt Harkins added 16 and Fischer chipped in 11.

At the Ben Franklin Holiday Showcase:

Martin Luther King 68, Glen Mills 46 >> A 47-point opening period eventually gave way to poor shooting and costly mistakes by the Battlin’ Bulls.

Ewhnik Proctor finished with 13 points  for Glen Mills and was selected to the all-tournament team.