Clyde’s double-double leads ’Jacks over CSM

ARNOLD – The Chesapeake College women's basketball program has reached the stage where a 16-point win left head coach Damon Nichols less than satisfied.

"I talk to them about defense every day," said Nichols, who wasn't pleased with the 33 points allowed in the second half of Saturday's 72-56 win over the College of Southern Maryland.  "Defense wins championships.  If we want to do what we did last year (win state and region tournament titles), we've got to pick it up on defense."

Chesapeake (14-1 overall, 10-1 league) has won five straight since a loss to Harford Community College (18-2, 7-1, pending Harford's game Saturday evening at Frederick Community College).  While Chesapeake's only remaining league game is with Howard Community College (5-12, 1-8), Harford still has league contests remaining with Howard, CCBC-Dundalk (16-5, 8-2), and Garrett (7-6, 3-5).

While Nichols may not have been pleased with the defense, there were plenty of positives in Saturday's win.  Denver Clyde posted a double-double with 21 points and 18 rebounds while also notching three steals and three assists.  Sydney Small (three rebounds, two steals) matched Clyde's 21 points and Najah Chambers (four steals, three rebounds) also reached double figures with 10 points.

Rose Smith added six points and seven rebounds for the Skipjacks.

Chesapeake took command of the game early, blowing out to a 45-23 halftime advantage.

"We came out with pressure defense and got into their passing lanes," said Nichols of Chesapeake's first-half strategy.

The Hawks outscored Chesapeake by six in the second half, drawing Nichols' ire in the process.

"We just laid back like the game was over and they (CSM) came out and played really hard in the second half," said Nichols, who called a 7:30 a.m. practice for Sunday morning to work out the issues.

Taylor White scored a game-high 28 points to pace CSM (5-10, 2-7).

Notes:  Saturday's game was played at Anne Arundel Community College. . . .

The Skipjacks host Allegany College of Maryland Monday at 5 p.m.  Chesapeake beat the Trojans, 81-44, in their season-opener in the game that counts in the conference standings.  Rebuilding Allegany (2-15, 0-8) won the 2011 state tournament and lost to Chesapeake in last year's tournament title game.