MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 5 Chester

Key returners:

Rondae Jefferson (6-6, Sr., G/F), Arizona verbal commit, No. 49 prospect in MaxPreps Class of 2013 Top 100

Darius Robinson (6-1, Sr., G)

Richard Granberry (6-5, Sr., F)

Diamonte Reason (6-3, Sr., G)

James Kirksey (6-4, Sr., F)

Rashan DeJarnette (5-9, Sr., G)

Newcomers:

Conrad Chambers (6-0, Sr., G), transfer from Friends' Central

Isaiah Warren (5-7, Sr., G), transfer from Archbishop Carroll

Marquis Collins (6-6, Fr., F)

Circle the date:
High school basketball fans in the Philadelphia area are already eagerly anticipating the Feb. 10 showdown with defending Class AAA state champion Neumann-Goretti. The Clippers and Saints have been the dominant programs in the area in recent years and the grudge match will be televised nationally by ESPN. Other big games for Chester include a date with Whitney Young (Chicago) at the Spalding Hoophall Classic and an opponent to be named later in early January at the Brandon Jennings Invitational in Milwaukee.

Tournament time:
Chester is yet another nationally ranked powerhouse headed to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. The field for the December event features a dozen teams featured in the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 or Academy Top 10. There's a very good chance that the Clippers will head to the tournament with their win streak intact. Star junior guard Joel Berry and Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) will be the opening-round opponent.