Well, basketball fans, the season is finally behind us. In addition to congratulating the Chester Clippers on their Class AAAA state title, I just have a few announcements to make:

All-Delco News. It's almost time to reveal my All-Delco teams, which were finalized following Saturday's game. Keep close to the Daily Times for updates on when the teams will appear in the newspaper.

PIAA Rule Change No. 1. The PIAA has approved two notable amendments which take effect next season. First, District One receives an additional seed in the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament, increasing its tally from eight teams to nine. What does this mean? Well, the eight teams to make the quarterfinals are still guaranteed a berth in the state bracket, with one more team finding its way in. How? That's to be determined.

PIAA Rule Change No. 2. The PIAA made official a transfer rule, which forces a student-athlete between 10th and 12th grades to sit out half a season should he switch schools.

Staying at State College. Though unofficial, the PIAA and Penn State have agreed to extend a contract to keep the state-title games at Bryce Jordan. More to come as it becomes known.

It's baseball season! Just because the hoops season is over doesn't mean you can't visit Gettin' Schooled for the next few months. It's a high school sports blog and as such, I'll be posting my daily musings from my next high school beat - baseball. And there definitely will be basketball news to check back for, as always. So I look forward to your continued readership.

A long, arduous road carried the Chester Clippers into Saturday's PIAA Class AAAA title game.

In the end, they're state champs.

The Clippers beat Norristown, 81-77, yet somehow that was not the big news of the night.

Chester coach Fred Pickett announced he is stepping down after 13 seasons, 3 state titles and eight district titles. In addition to this story, Terry Toohey contributed a sights-and-sounds notebook. And Jack McCaffery wrote of how passionate Karon Burton is...even when his team is struggling. Even still, Burton never seems to stop smiling.

Long night tonight, even longer day ahead. Stay tuned for more.

Just arrived at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center, where the Chester Clippers will take on the Norristown Eagles in a short while.

Here's what you need to know about tonight's game:
1 ... Norristown is the owner of just one state title, having won it all in 1948.
2 ... Number of cable networks televising the game (CN8 and PCN).
4 ... Chester senior starters hoping their last game in orange and black in a win.
6 ... Number of state championship banners possibly hanging in Chester's gym after tonight.
8 ... Tip off time. Make sure to have the popcorn ready and a spot reserved on your couch.
25 ... Win percent of Norristown in its four title-game appearances.
36 ... Win percent of Chester in its 14 title-game appearances.

Check back to Gettin' Schooled throughout the night for updates from the Bryce Jordan Center.

If Chester beats Norristown today for the PIAA Class AAAA state title, the Clippers will be remembered as the best team in school history. Not my words, but those of former Daily Times' boys basketball writer Rob Knox. Here's his reasoning:

Lockdown defense. "Forget the talent and the Division I prospects," he said. "What seperates this Chester squad from the others is its ability to play lockdown defense when the offense isn’t clicking. This is the Clippers’ best defensive squad in quite some time."

Better competition. "Think about this: if Chester wins Saturday, it would have defeated a pair of teams (Pennsbury and Norristown) in its last two games with a combined 62 victories," Knox said. "That’s impressive. The 2000 team didn’t do that and the 2005 team didn’t do that, either."

In the end, Knox said, you'll have to judge for yourself.

"Those (past) teams were great in their own right, but considering the schedule Chester played ... it’s hard to argue against this Chester squad being the greatest of the modern era."

ABOUT TODAY'S GAME
If you're heading to State College today, be sure to pick up a copy of the Daily Times. It's loaded with useful information about tonight's game. It features updated rosters and schedules from both teams; their histories in the state title game; and plenty of insight. Safe travels and see you in Happy Valley.

No one wants to give Norristown any love.

The Eagles, who reeled off 28 wins in a row to start their season, have been dealing with that stiff reality all season.

Is it because they played a soft nonleague schedule? Is it because their Suburban One League Continental Conference foes posted a combined win percentage of .486?

Maybe, but Norristown coach Mike Evans (pictured, on the bench, with assistant Binky Johnson in the forefront) wants his team to get its dues.

"It's not like we go on what outsiders say," Evans said Friday from State College. "We don't listen because it's mostly negative stuff they're saying. We just think we're a better team than a lot of people say. We don't get the credit that being 32-1 deserves."

Vying for their first state title in 60 years, the Eagles take on Chester Saturday for all the marbles. Playing the Clippers is an opportunity the Eagles welcome, Evans said.

"It's going to come down to who executes," Evans said. "That said, I think we have a chance."

If you were at the Palestra last night, you were witness to Chester's dramatic 75-64 win over Pennsbury in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinal. In case you missed it, we've got you covered:

THE GAME STORY. Despite foul trouble, all five Clippers starters scored in double figures. They weathered a flurry of fouls and Pennsbury 3-pointers to extend their season.

THE REAL STORY. Marvin Dukes, Brandon Robinson and Mark Burrell probably didn't expect they'd play a huge role in Chester's win. But they did. Staff writer Jon Campbell tells their story.

THE PREPARATION. The Clippers' prep work for playoff basketball goes beyond the court. It starts in the classroom, where - as sports editor Rob Parent tells us - coach Fred Pickett's players are excelling.

THE VISUAL. Last night's game wasn't televised, but staff photographer Eric Hartline offers his view from the baseline at the Palestra in slideshow form.

A couple news items regarding tonight's semifinal game:

TICKETS. Tickets are still available for purchase. Interested spectators can pick up $6 general admission tickets and $3 student tickets at Chester High School between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. today.

PARKING. If you're heading to the Palestra tonight, be advised to make a carpool, take public transportation or get there early. With a PIAA Class AAA girls basketball semifinal taking place at 6 p.m., parking undoubtedly will be limited. And the streets around the Palestra will be chaotic. Plan accordingly.

PREVIEW SECTION. To help wait out the start of the 7:30 p.m. Chester-Pennsbury game, bring a copy of the Daily Times to the Palestra. Included within are the latest stats and information, projected starting lineups, a feature on Nasir Robinson and what Pennsbury is saying about tonight's game.

Nasir Robinson didn't take a page out of Joe Namath's book. There will be no guarantees coming from Robinson's mouth, but the senior forward is optimistic Chester will beat Pennsbury Wednesday, then go on to win the PIAA Class AAAA state championship.

Before Monday's practice, I asked Robinson if all of the games the Clippers have won would be for naught should they not win the state crown. His response:

"It's definitely been worth it, all of it. Even the hard losses," he said of his time at Chester. "It's my pride for Chester — playing here and being from here — that keeps me going. It would hurt not to win it, so I don't even want to think about not winning it."

For a feature story on Robinson and preview coverage of the Clippers' matchup with Pennsbury, pick up a copy of Wednesday's Daily Times.

The Chester Athletic Department has made tickets available for purchase for Wednesday's PIAA Class AAAA semifinal game.

If you wish to see the Clippers take on District One's third seed Pennsbury at the Palestra, tickets can be purchased at Chester High's Athletic office each of the next three days.

• Monday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Adult tickets cost $6 while student tickets run $3.

Penn Wood's players anticipated the fourth time being a charm against Chester. The Clippers saw the Patriots as another obstacle standing in their way of a state title.

What came to be Saturday at Villanova's Pavilion was an entertaining showcase of two teams vying for something pretty special.

In the end, Chester called upon its postseason savvy to end Penn Wood's remarkable run with a 68-60 win in the PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals.

Karon Burton iced down his knee then lit up the scoreboard, netting 25 points in the win. Sports editor Rob Parent shed some light on Burton's return to the court after bruising his left knee and lower thigh during the game.

And despite their quarterfinal loss, Deputy Sports editor John Lohn foresees Penn Wood being the team to beat next season. It's very likely, considering they graduate only two players and return a bevy of underclass talent.

Said Penn Wood coach Clyde Jones: "Chester has all kinds of banners hanging up. It's time for a banner to hang somewhere else."

IN THE OTHER QUARTERFINAL

Penn Wood wasn't alone Saturday, as another Delaware County team's season came to an end. Ridley, trying to avenge its loss to Pennsbury in the District One quarterfinals, fell to the Falcons 45-40.

The Green Raiders were able to contain Pennsbury standout Dalton Pepper but could not come through with a timely basket toward the end. The Raiders graduate six seniors, including 1,000-point scorers Dan Robinson and Steve Egee.

Said Egee of his athletic career at Ridley coming to an end: "But now I'll never put on a Ridley uniform again. I'm just thankful for the memories and the good times that I had with these guys."

Chester is headed back to the state semifinals.

The Clippers ended Penn Wood's season with a 68-60 win at Villanova's Pavilion Saturday. The second-best season in Penn Wood history ends at 23-9. In the process, the Clippers move on to Wednesday's semifinal at Penn's Palestra.

Chester got 25 points from Karon Burton, who played on despite a bad knee. Tyree Johnson netted 18 for the Patriots.

Who will join Chester at the Palestra? Pennsbury, which ended the season for Ridley with a 45-40 win, will take on the Clippers. Ridley's 1,000-point scoring duo of Steve Egee and Dan Robinson went out on high notes, scoring all but six of the Raiders' points. Egee notched 13 and Robinson netted 21.

Today brings both good news and bad news.

First the good news - a PIAA Class AAAA playoff quarterfinal tripleheader of epic proportions is on tap at Villanova's Pavilion today, and is sure to be entertaining.

Now the bad news - at least one Delaware County team's season must come to an end. Shawn Oakman (pictured) and the Penn Wood Patriots hope the fourth time is the charm against league rival Chester. And Ridley hopes to exact revenge against Pennsbury, which beat the Green Raiders in districts.

Pick up a copy of today's Daily Times for more on the state quarterfinal matchups at hand.

PALESTRA BOUND?
The PIAA Class AAAA semifinal between the winners of the Penn Wood-Chester and Ridley-Pennsbury games will play at the Palesta, a University of Pennsylvania official confirmed to the Daily Times Friday.

The game's start time is still up in the air, but pick up a copy of today's Daily Times for more information on the arrangement between Penn and the PIAA.

LIVE UPDATES
Check back to Gettin' Schooled throughout the day for live coverage, scores and updates of the action at Villanova's Pavilion.

Even though the PIAA has abandoned the East bracket-West bracket format, the teams in the Class AAAA state playoffs often shake out that way. And with three Delaware County teams among the final four in the 'East bracket', it's natural to look ahead and see who one of them could be playing for the state crown next weekend.

Here's a brief rundown of the final four from the 'West':

• Moon (22-7). In the West's first semifinal, the Tigers will have to beat a Pittsburgh Central Catholic team they have lost to twice this season. Moon, a Class AAA champ not too long ago, might not have the playoff chops at the state's highest level just yet.
• Central Catholic (25-4). With defending champ Schenley out of the picture, PCC might be Pittsburgh's best team still hanging around. Their chances, however, hinge on their late-game performances. They're still in the playoffs because of two impressive fourth-quarter spurts.
• Norristown (30-1). Basketball purists would love to see the Eagles make the state final. With their only loss came against Chester in the District One final, it is appropriate to fear this team. Despite foul trouble, they hung with Mechanicsburg in the second round and caught fire late.
• South Philadelphia (23-6). The Rams are thankful Furnell Doster decided to transfer to Southern. Without him, they might have been an early exit this postseason. Instead, Doster has had back-to-back huge outings, including a 23-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist, 2-block showing on Wednesday.

The road to the state championship at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center goes through Villanova and the Blue Route.

The PIAA Class AAAA playoffs continue at the Pavilion, where all three Delaware County teams will be playing in the quarterfinals. Here's the complete lineup for Saturday's games on Lancaster Avenue:

12 p.m. Chester (30-1) vs. Penn Wood (23-8)
1:30 p.m. South Phila. (23-6) vs. Norristown (30-1)
3 p.m. Ridley (25-6) vs. Pennsbury (29-2)

ETC.: A couple notes about the matchups - This marks the fourth game this season between Chester and Penn Wood. (The Clippers are 3-0). Ridley fell to Pennsbury in the District One quarterfinals, 60-41.

After 40 years on the sideline, Cardinal O'Hara's Buddy Gardler has decided it was time to call it a career.

The longtime O'Hara coach will leave his post as boys basketball coach effective Monday. Gardler, who coached 560 wins, has been at O'Hara for the past 32 seasons. Prior to that he coached Bishop Kenrick for seven seasons and spent one season as an assistant at American University.

"I didn’t get into coaching for the wins," Gardler told the Daily Times. "Did I want to win? Absolutely, but I got into coaching to teach the game and to stay around basketball."

For a full account, check out Terry Toohey's story in Thursday's edition of the Daily Times.

IN THE PIAA CLASS AAAA TOURNEY
Three games meant three more wins for Delaware County's teams in the PIAA Class AAAA tournament. Chester fended off Harrisburg on the strength of a fourth-quarter spurt. Ridley posted a second straight 30-point win, beating Central Dauphin East. And Penn Wood moved into the quarterfinals for the first time in a long time by handling Pocono Mountain West. Pick up a copy of today's newspaper for more on all three playoff games.

I spoke with Ridley senior Steve Egee last week about the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. A conversation with Egee, a past All-Delco basketball selection, wouldn't be complete without discussing football.

Egee (pictured) quarterbacked the Green Raiders to the state title game this year, after sitting out as a junior. Egee is unsure about his future, but that's on hold for now: the Raiders have some games to play. Here's an excerpt from our conversation:

Daily Times: Your team looks loose and casual going through practice. Do you see that translating to their playoff games?
Egee: Definitely. Team camaraderie and team chemistry have never been problems here. We get along great, play loose and everyone's looking forward to the next game.

DT: Do you see any similarities between the football playoffs and the basketball playoffs?
Egee: They're very similar. It's all about the team coming together, believing in the coaches and believing in each other. It's about playing tough defense every possession. (Against) state teams, you have to play hard every possession. They're very similar in both sports. You've got to come out to play every play. Every state(-qualifying) team is a good team.

DT: Where do you stand with pursuing either football or basketball in college?
Egee: At some schools, I'd probably be able to walk on to the football team if I wanted to. Maybe I would do it, not even as a quarterback but as something else. I don't know what I want to do. We'll see in a couple weeks.

DT: Say, for a moment, that you go the football route. Are you ever out there on the court thinking, 'This could be my last basketball game'?
Egee: I think my choice is going to be to play basketball in college, at the next level. I really do.

Egee leads Ridley (24-6) into its second-round game against Central Dauphin East tonight in a 7 p.m. tip at Garden Spot H.S. in New Holland. *Photo courtesy the Philadelphia Inquirer*

IN OTHER NEWS
In addition to Ridley, Penn Wood and Chester also will play their second-round games tonight. For preview capsules of all three games -- as well as a feature story on how the Clippers handle all the hype and championship talk -- pick up a copy of Wednesday's Daily Times.

Interested in attending Wednesday's second-round game between Chester and Harrisburg?

Tickets are on sale at the Chester High School Athletic Office from Monday through the day of the game between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Adult tickets cost $6 and student tickets are available for $3.

TIMES AND SITES ANNOUNCED
As of yesterday, we knew who the trio of Delaware County teams would play in Round 2 of states. Now we know where and when they will play:

• Ridley (23-6) vs. Central Dauphin East (23-5) - Garden Spot High School, New Holland, 7 p.m.
• Chester (29-1) vs. Harrisburg (17-11) - Geigle Complex, Reading, 7:30 p.m.
• Penn Wood (22-8) vs. Pocono Mountain West (26-2) - Parkland High School, Orefield, 7:30 p.m.

For those wishing to stay close to home, that's bad news. If you're interested in attending either of these games, I've linked Mapquest directions from the Delaware County schools involved to the game's location.

Delaware County has three boys basketball teams still playing. And all three advanced with wins Saturday in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs.

Ridley 76, Frankford 37: Led by Dan Robinson (pictured) and his 25-point effort, Ridley dispatched Frankford.
Penn Wood 55, Elizabethtown 46: Duane Johnson's 23-point, 12-rebound outing paced Penn Wood.
Chester 67, Williamsport 59: Karon Burton scored 10 of his game-best 26 points in the fourth quarter of Chester's win.

That means all three play in Round 2. Times and sites have yet to be determined, but we do know who each of them will play. Here's what we're looking at for Wednesday night:
---Chester vs. Harrisburg
---Penn Wood vs. Pocono Mountain West
---Ridley vs. Central Dauphin East

Sunday's Daily Times has full coverage of every game with a complete schedule of the entire Class AAAA bracket.

Each day leading up to the state playoffs, I'll shed light on a Delaware County team's first-round opponent in this weekend's PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. Here's the third and final installment:

The Frankford Pioneers (22-5), not unlike those of the olden days (pictured), face a stiff test. The top seed out of District 12 and the runners-up in the Philadelphia Public League, the Pioneers will play the Ridley Green Raiders (23-6) today at 3 p.m. at South Philadelphia High.

The Pioneers...

• like to run. Known for their athleticism, they get up and down the court with ease, and do so all game long.
• go as Malik Tinsley goes. The senior forward drops about 23 points per game. If Tinsley plays well against Ridley, the Green Raiders don't stand a chance.
• look a lot like Communications Tech, the Pub champs, which bodes well for Ridley. That's because the Green Raiders held their own against Comm Tech this season, even scrimmaging against them this week.
• are balanced. Tinsley can have a so-so day by his standards, just so long as Khayree Brown and Steven Haynes (11-point scorers) step it up as they have this postseason.

For more on the Ridley-Frankford first-round meeting, check out Saturday's Daily Times for a feature story on the Green Raiders, who yearn to snap a winless drought in the state playoffs. Allow me to put it into perspective: Ridley's seniors were little 1-year-olds when the Raiders last won a state playoff game.

Each day leading up to the state playoffs, I'll shed light on a Delaware County team's first-round opponent in this weekend's PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. Here's the second installment:

The Elizabethtown Bears (17-12), seeded third out of District Three, will tip off against Penn Wood (21-8) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Spring-Ford High School, located in Royersford.

The Bears...

• have made history this year, making their first state-playoff appearance in school history. And remarkably, the school's been around for close to a century.
• have pulled a complete 180. They posted a 4-19 record last season and appeared to be headed toward another postseason-less year... before winning 12 of their final 14 games to make states in coach Kevin Dolan's first season at the helm.
• are playing strong behind junior forward Chad Styre (pictured), who's had the hot hand in the playoffs.
• should match up well with Penn Wood. Both teams lack a dominant big man in the middle, though E-Town's Nate Koach (13 points, 9 rebs.) is a force.
• need a pick-me-up. Think Penn Wood has had it bad, playing Chester three times? E-Town heads into Saturday after getting ambushed by Reading, which enters the state tournament unbeaten at 30-0.

For more on the Elizabethtown-Penn Wood matchup, take a look at today's Daily Times for a feature story on the Patriots' historical run this season. And check out Saturday's Daily Times for a complete preview of the game.

Each day leading up to the state playoffs, I'll shed light on a Delaware County team's first-round opponent in this weekend's PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. Here's the first installment:

The Williamsport Millionaires (19-7), the No. 2 seed from District 2, play Chester (28-1) Saturday at Norristown High School at 2 p.m.

The Millionaires...

• are young. They employ an all-junior starting five.
• are disciplined. They commit only six turnovers per game.
• are green. They are making their first state playoff appearance since their 23-7 season in 2002.
• are small. Among their starting five and top reserves, no one is taller than 6-foot-4.
• have history on their side. They have won two state championships in their school history.
• spread the ball. Each of their starters scores at least eight points per game, led by Isaiah Twine's 15 and Jadiah Lynch's 14.5 averages.
• shoot the 3. Sean Ruaine leads the team with 70 treys this season.

For more on the Williamsport-Chester matchup and all of the PIAA Class AAAA first-round previews, check out Saturday's Daily Times. And stay close to the blog all week for more previews like this one.

The Chester Clippers successfully defended their string of District One Class AAAA championships Sunday to take home their seventh in a row.

The Clippers (28-1) handed Norristown (28-1) its first loss of the season in a 61-47 decision at Villanova's Pavilion.

Karon Burton finished with team highs of 20 points and 7 assists while Nasir Robinson (pictured) had 18 points and 12 rebounds. The senior duo connected on three alley-oop dunks in the win.

In the PIAA Class AAAA state playoff bracket, Chester will take on Williamsport (19-8), the second seed out of District Two, in the first round. That game will be played next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Norristown High School.

FOR MORE ON THE GAME...
...pick up a copy of Monday's Daily Times. Included will be a game story; a sidebar on Burton's rebound from a sloppy first quarter; a column by Terry Toohey on Chester coach Fred Pickett; and another sidebar by Chuck Smith on Norristown's take on the Clippers.

The PIAA Class AAAA state playoff bracket won't be announced until midweek, but we already have an idea who three Delaware County teams will be playing:

Penn Wood (District One - 4th seed) vs.
Elizabethtown (District Three - 4th seed)
Ridley (District One - 7th seed) vs.
Communications Tech / Frankford (District 12 - 1st seed)

Who will Chester play? That will be decided this afternoon at Villanova in the District One Class AAAA championship game. If the Clippers win the district, they will play the District Two second seed Williamsport. If they lose to Norristown today, the Clippers will play the District 12 fourth seed, which has yet to be determined. Check back to the blog for the latest.