Chester and Upper Darby are league champs.

The Clippers dismantled host Academy Park, 86-44, to clinch their first outright league championship under coach Larry Yarbray. Chester got 17 points from DeQuann Walker, 15 from Lamon Church and 14 apiece from Maurice Nelson and Darius Robinson.

More on Chester: There's a (really) good chance the state's top-ranked team in Class AAAA will be District One's No. 1 seed come Sunday, when the bracket is unveiled. If the Clippers are seeded anywhere else but No. 1, I'll be flat-out shocked ... but stranger things have happened.

The Royals held off a furious surge by host Ridley, clinching the Central League championship with a 48-47 victory. Daron Harris and Brandon Hashim had 14 points apiece to pace Upper Darby, which held its breath as Ridley - with the last possession - couldn't manage a final shot before time expired.

That locked up UD coach Bob Miller's first title since 2006-07.

More on Upper Darby: Despite playing to a perfect 21-0, 16-0 record (assuming they handle Glen Mills Saturday in a nonleague tilt), the Royals still would be lucky to manage a No. 3 seed. They're likely the No. 4, by virtue of a nonleague slate that wasn't loaded with any huge tests. But that doesn't mean UD isn't deserving.

Check out Friday's Daily Times for a rundown on both teams' title clinchers.

Two titles in one night. How 'bout those apples?

I should've known Upper Darby was due for a strong season ... when coach Bob Miller deflected preseason attention upon other teams in the Central League.

When asked about his club, Miller told me to talk to the coaches from Ridley, Strath Haven and Springfield. That's usually a good indicator that a team is going to win -- a lot.

That's what Upper Darby has done thus far, winning its first 16 contests overall and the first 11 of its Central League slate. They have to be at or near the top of the District One Class AAAA tournament points scale.

And for good reason: the Royals are for real, something that looked more apparent following their win Tuesday over Springfield.

They have a post presence in senior center Daron Harris (6-5, 240) that is unmatched in the Central League. No one can keep a body on Harris without getting into foul trouble.

Elsewhere, junior Brandon Hashim (pictured) and Terrence Bridgers have long, lean, athletic bodies on the perimeter that create headaches on defense and matchup problems on offense. They are the Royals' leading scorers. And point guard DJ Johnson, a senior, is one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the county.

I can't help but think Upper Darby stands a great chance at making the PIAA playoffs this season. In District One, all it takes is two wins in the tourney ... or one win and staving off trouble in three rounds of elimination games.

Keep an eye on the Royals. They could be around deep into the winter.