After Tuesday night's big 76-72 win over Penn Wood, you have to think Chester's got something special going on. Here's why:

***The Clippers took a 19-point lead midway through the third quarter against the defending Del Val League champion Patriots, who also happen to be the reigning District One champs and PIAA Class AAAA runners-up.

***All-Delco guard Maurice Nelson brings his A-game whenever the Clippers play an opponent worthy. (And let's be clear: the Patriots - despite a 9-7 record - are worthy. They will be a handful in the playoffs.) Against Penn Wood, Nelson is averaging 20.5 points per game.

***The Clippers' rebounding is superb, behind 6-3 Rondae Jefferson, 6-4 Lamon Church and 6-5 Erikk Wright.

***Their free-throw shooting has improved. Chester went 14-for-37 from the stripe in its first meeting with Penn Wood. Tuesday, the Clippers were a much-more-efficient 21-for-33. That's what it takes late in the season.

Check out Wednesday's Daily Times for more on the game.

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I talked to Penn Wood alumnus Tyree Johnson Tuesday night. The 2008-09 Daily Times Player of the Year, Johnson provided a little clarity as to why he's in Lansdowne ... and not on the West Coast.

Johnson came home, leaving San Jacinto Junior College recently. He said it's something he'll give me more details about at a later date. But he said it was for personal reasons.