"It's just a natural thing that you go to Chester," said Kareem Robinson, a 5-foot-7 senior point guard. "It's pretty much in your blood."
Unless the Chester Upland School District sorts out its financial woes, area youngsters might not get the chance to move up the ranks and join a team that regularly vies for supremacy in Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond.
Acting Assistant Superintendent Thomas Persing said the district owes "millions" to a long list of creditors. An infusion of cash, to pay teachers and vendors, is in desperate need.
"It's something I try not to think about too much," said Darius Robinson, a 6-2 junior wing guard. "We just take it one day at a time. I think that's what a lot of people in the district are doing right now."
On Tuesday night, the visiting Clippers, with another balanced scoring effort, pulled away from Del-Val League rival Academy Park in the second half and easily triumphed, 64-42.
"It's sad to think about there one day possibly not being a Chester High," said 6-7 junior swingman Rondae Jefferson, a Division I recruit.
Jefferson's brother, Rahlir, starred for Chester. Now a 6-6 junior forward at Temple, he was averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds entering Wednesday night's contest at St. Louis.
"When you come from where we do, it's all about Chester basketball," Rondae Jefferson said. "You just wait your turn to be part of it. It's something you feel like you have to experience."
Of the financially strapped school district, Clippers fourth-year coach Larry Yarbray said, "We're not going to let it bother us. We're on a mission to get back up to states."
Last season, Yarbray, who is not a district employee, guided the Clippers to a 31-1 mark, their second PIAA Class AAAA state crown in four seasons, and the area's No. 1 ranking.
