Chester has hands full with a Reading rematch

Two and a half months have elapsed since Chester, in search of its customarily rigorous nonleague slate, took the inter-district trip to Reading Dec. 23.

Both teams have evolved since that 69-57 triumph by the Red Knights at the Geigle Complex. That growth portends a compelling renewal of acquaintances in Saturday’s PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal at Temple University’s Liacouras Center at noon.

The teams that collided back in December were both undeniably talented and figured to factor into the PIAA’s March picture, Chester first needing to banish an uncharacteristically boisterous chorus of doubters after last season’s rare failure to qualify for states. But neither squad had quite figured things out yet.

While the game failed to serve as a turning point for either, that juncture lay just around the bend.

Reading would lose its next outing against Maryland’s Clinton Christian, compounding losses to Coatesville and Archbishop Wood two weeks earlier. Since, the Red Knights (27-3) have rattled off 22 straight wins. Only twice in that streak — against Conestoga, then Carlisle in the District 3 tournament — has an opponent gotten within single digits, both in overtime contests. The next nearest scrape was an 11-point triumph over Central York in the District 3 final.

Chester, meanwhile, was just approaching rock bottom. The Clippers (22-7) were wrapping up a three-game swing against Central Pa. opposition, losses to Reading and JP McCaskey bookending a victory over York. Reading set the Clippers on a three-game losing streak, including a pair of defeats at the Jameer and Pete Nelson Memorial Classic to Imhotep Charter and Downingtown West, that mired Chester at 2-5 as the calendar flipped to 2016.

Larry Yarbray’s team has responded with 20 wins in its next 22 games, the only setbacks to New York’s Aquinas Institute and Plymouth Whitemarsh in the District One final.

All eyes Saturday will be on Reading’s Lonnie Walker, the high-flying, 6-foot-5 junior guard who has fielded offers from high-major schools, including Villanova, and populated the Internet with videos of his highlight-reel dunks. He’s averaging around 16 points per game, and he blistered Chester for 20 in that Dec. 23 meeting.

Guards Khary Mauras and Damon Stern are also consistent double-figures threats, while 6-foot-7 senior center Oenis Medina provides length in the post.

Chester’s strength lies not in one marquee player but in an assemblage of five or six lower-range Division I talents with which they hope to overwhelm Reading. Morgan State-bound Stanley Davis could step to the fore as Walker’s primary defensive shadow, though Yarbray will have multiple looks aimed at Reading’s star. Maurice Henry will have his hands full with Medina, while fellow Delaware State commit Marquis Collins could shift the balance, his 6-foot-7 frame and shooting range of a guard positioning him as an unnatural matchup for Reading.

Add in Jamar Sudan, who has scored in double-figures in four of the last five games (all save the PW loss) and has intensified his efforts on the glass, and Chester could have the pieces to spring what many would view as an upset.