By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — The 2022 Chester Invitational Boys Basketball Tournament is in the books.
The Chester YellowJackets finished 3rd in the 58th Annual Chester Invitational Tournament (CIT). The YellowJackets include (in numerical order): Gavin Schroeder (0), Cooper Eggemeyer (2), Jared Landeros (3), Chance Mott (4), Devante Palacio (5), Koby Jany (12), Ethan Stumpe (15), Aiden Jany (20), Jacob Handel (22), Gabriel Steele (24), Lucas Thompson (40), and Trace Fricke (44). The Jackets are coached by Chris Toledo, Head Coach, and Assistants Jake Cowan, Jacob Wente, and Nick Severs. Jim Beers Photo
The host Chester Yellow Jackets finished third among the eight-team tournament and Chester’s Jared Landeros was selected to the 2022 C.I.T. All-Tournament Team.
In spite of a shaky beginning, the 8-team event was able to be completed in its entirety on time and without any major disruptions. Covid issues and potentially snowy, icy weather threatened to create difficulties, however Mother Nature cooperated and all teams remained Covid-free. The 8-team, 12-game tournament was completed within the 5-day scheduled event.
In the end, Valmeyer won the 7th Place game, 59-37 over Perryville; Lovejoy won the 7th Place game, 59-45 over Valle Catholic; Chester beat New Athens, 69-67 to win 3rd Place; and Waterloo Gibault Catholic defeated Saxony Lutheran to earn the title of 2022 C.I.T. Champion, with Saxony earning Runner-Up honors.
Chester‘s Jared Landeros was selected as one of 10 All-Tournament Team members of the 2022 Chester Invitational Tournament (CIT). Landeros scored a total of 74 points in the three-game tournament including 31 vs Lovejoy; 16 vs Saxony; and 27 vs New Athens. He was also a key defensive player and rebounder for the 3rd Place Yellow Jacket squad. Jim Beers Photo
The 2020 All-Tournament Team included Logan Pruitt of Saxony, Chase Fallert of Valle, Aiden Heberlie of Valle, Gannon Birkner of New Athens, Shantez Holliday of Lovejoy, Wilson Lodge of Saxony, William Eldridge of Saxony, Jared Landeros of Chester, and Kaden Augustine of Waterloo Gibault. Augustine was also selected as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2022 Chester Invitational Tournament.
The CHS student section was in full swing showing support for the YellowJackets throughout the entire 58th Annual Chester Invitational Tournament. Jim Beers Photo
Game 1 (Monday January 10, 6:00 p.m.): Waterloo Gibault 55-Perryville 21
Gibault led throughout this opening game. The Hawks led 22-6 after one quarter, 43-16 at halftime, 66-20 after three periods and 76-28 to win the contest. The Hawks were paced by Kaden Augustin (19) and Jude Green (17). Gibault received scoring rom 11 players.
Perryville was paced by Andrew Terbrak (10) and Grant Smith (6). The Pirates had eight players score in the loss. With the in, Gibault advanced to the Championship bracket to face New Athens. Perryville moved to the Consolation Bracket to face Valle Catholic.
Game 2 (Monday January 10, 7:30 p.m.): New Athens 89-Valle Catholic 67
This high scoring affair had the YellowJackets leading 24-18 after one quarter of play, 42-30 at halftime, 66-50 after three periods and 89-67 to win the Game. The YellowJackets were led by three players, Cody Boone (30), Gannon Birkner (28), and Gauge Birkner (16). Eight players scored in the Yellow Jacket victory.
Valle Catholic was paced by Jeremy McLorn (32) and Michael McCallum (15). Seven YellowJackets contributed to the Valle point total. With the loss, Valle moved to the Consolation Bracket to face Perryville and New Athens advanced to the Championship Bracket to face Gibault.
Game 3 (Tuesday January 11, 6:00 p.m.): Saxony Lutheran 67-Valmeyer 29
The second night of the tournament quarter-finals featured Saxony Lutheran and Valmeyer. The Crusaders stormed out of the gate and never looked back. Saxony led 16-8 after the first frame and 39-13 at the half. Going into the final quarter the Crusaders led, 55-30, and outscored the Valmeyer Pirates, 12-9 down the stretch to win, 67-29.
In the win, the Crusaders were led by four players in double figures including Wilson Lodge (16), William Eldridge (15), Aaron Zoellner (10) and Logan Pruitt (10). Saxony used eight scorers to accumulate their 67 points.
Valmeyer was paced by junior, Vincent Oggero who scored 16 points. The Pirates had six players score in the game. With the loss, Valmeyer moved to the Consolation Championship side of the bracket. Saxony’s win earned them the right to advance to the Championship side of the bracket. Valmeyer would face Lovejoy in Game 7 and Saxony would face Chester in Game 8 in the semi-finals.
Game 4 (Tuesday January 11, 7:30 p.m.): Chester 51, Lovejoy 47
In the second quarter-final of the night Chester hosted Lovejoy. The entire game was competitive with Chester enjoying a slim throughout most of the contest..
The Jackets drew first blood but Lovejoy followed with a basket just seconds into the first quarter. The Wildcats led three times in the opening frame, 4-3 at 5:59, 6-5 at 4:50, and 10-5 with just 26-seconds remaining in the first quarter. With 12-seconds left Chester’s Trace Fricke hit a free throw, and at the buzzer, Jared Landeros popped a trey to bring the Jackets within one point, 10-6 after one period.
Chester’s Cooper Eggemeyer, a 6’4″ senior guard, fires a shot in the opening round of the 2022 CIT vs Lovejoy. The YellowJackets won, 51-47 to advance to the semi-final game against Saxony. In the win, Eggemeyer scored seven points. Jim Beers Photo
The second quarter remained competitive and featured three lead changes and one tie. Chester took a brief one point 11-10 lead at 7:16 on a Jared Landeros bucket. Eight seconds later Jovejoy’s Shantez Holliday re-took the lead, 12-11 at 7:08.
Chester tied the game, 14-14 at 3:03 on a Jared Landeros 3-pointer and Shantez re-took the lead, 16-14, again at 1:59 with a two-pointer. Down the stretch the Jackets outscored Lovejoy, 7-2 to take a 21-18 lead at the half.
Chester dominated the opening 6:22 of the third quarter to build their biggest lead of the game, 33-23. Most of that stretch featured Jared Landeros who hit four free throws and back-to-back baskets for eight points. Cooper Eggemeyer and Ethan Stumpe added two points apiece to get Chester’s 33 points.
The final 1:18 Lovejoy shut down the Jackets and went on a 7-0 run to get within three points, 33-30, to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter continued to be a battle royale with three lead changes and two ties. In the opening 3:20 the Wildcats outscored the Jackets, 7-2 to take back the lead, 37-35. Chester tied the game 37-37 on Chance Mott’s bucket at the 3:38 mark.
40-seconds later, Luis Mazariego drained a 3-pointer to re-take the lead, 40-37 with 2:59 to play. Chance Mott hit a free throw at 2:35 and Jared Landeros hit a two-pointer at 1:59 to tie the game at 40-40. Three seconds later Cooper Eggemeyer hit a free throw at 1:56 and he started a barrage of YellowJacket players marching to the free throw line to end the game.
During that stretch, Jared Landeros went 4-for-4, Cooper Eggemeyer connected for three free throws, and Chance Mott hit another pair of free throws. Chester hit b12 free throws in the final 2:35.
Lovejoy wasn’t finished, however, and added another seven points down the stretch on three baskets and a free throw, but it was too-little-too-late as Chester had earned a 51-47 advantage to win the game, 51-47.
In the win, Chester was led by Jared Landeros who scored a game-high 31 points followed by Cooper Eggemeyer (7), Chance Mott (5), Ethan Stumpe (4), Lucas Thompson (3), and Trace Fricke (1). The Jackets were 20-of-26 from the line (77%). And made one two-pointer and three-pointers.
Lovejoy was led by Wiley Damen (19) and Jamal Brown (11). With the loss, the Wildcats moved to the Consolation Championship of the bracket to face Valmeyer in Game 7. Chester advanced to play Saxony in the semi-finals in Game 8.
Game 5 (Wednesday January 12, 6:00 p.m.): Valle 72, Perryville 54
Wednesday began Round 2 of the tournament with the beginning of the semi-finals. Valle Catholic faced Perryville on the Consolation Championship side of the bracket. The Warriors led throughout the game leading 20-17 after the first quarter, 40-19 at halftime, 56-29 after three quarters and 72-54 at the final buzzer.
Valle was led by Aiden Heberlie who had 34 points. Carson Tucker added 11 points. Perryville was paced by three players who scored 12 points apiece including Grant Smith, Jackie Truong, and Andrew Terbrak.
With the loss, Perryville moved to the bottom of the bracket to play Valmeyer for 7th Place. Valle Catholic moved to the Consolation Championship game to face Lovejoy.
Game 6 (Wednesday January 12, 7:30 p.m.): Gibault 53-21, New Athens 21
In this semi-final matchup Gibault hosted New Athens in what turned out to be a Gibault romp. The Hawks led 15-5 after the first quarter, 24-10 at the half, 47-14 after three periods and 53-21 for the win.
The Warriors were led by Kaden Augustine (17) and Jude Green (12). The New Athens YellowJackets were paced by Cody Boone who recorded nine points. With the loss, New Athens moved to the 3rd Place Game 11 to face Chester. Gibault earned the right to play Saxony in the Championship Game 12.
Game 7 (Thursday January 13, 6:00 p.m.): Lovejoy 67, Valmeyer 51
On the second night of semi-finals Lovejoy hosted Valmeyer in Game 7. The Wildcats led throughout the game, 22-7 after one quarter of play, 39-17 at the popcorn break, 57-38 at the end of three periods and 67-51 for the win.
The win gave Lovejoy the chance to play in the Consolation Championship Game 10 vs Valle Catholic. The loss moved Valmeyer to the 7th Place Game 9 to challenge Perryville.
Game 8 (Thursday January 13, 7:30 p.m.): Saxony Lutheran 52, Chester 38
The CHS YellowJackets battled the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders in Night 2 of the semi-finals for the right to advance to the Championship game of the CIT. The Jackets led 2-0 in the opening 1:45 of the game, but Saxony answered with a Luke Eggemeyer 3-pointer to take a quick lead at the 5:58 mark.
Chester‘s Lucas Thompson (40), a 6-2 sophomore Yellow Jacket drains a 3-pointer in the semi-final game against the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders Thursday January 13. Jim Beers Photo
William Eldridge followed with a three pointer of his own and Saxony led, 6-2 at 5:13. Eldridge popped another trey at 4:28 to complete a 9-0 run to lead 9-2. In the final 2:55 the Jackets scored two points on a Cooper Eggemeyer basket and two more on Jared Landeros’ back-to-back free throws. Saxony led by seven points, 15-8 after one quarter.
The Crusaders opened the second quarter with a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 19-8. Ethan Stumpe broke the YellowJackets silence with a 3-pointer at the 5:00 mark and CHS trailed, 19-11. Chester finished the half on a 7-6 run, but the Jackets still trailed 25-15.
CHS coaches Jake Cowan, Jacob Wente, Nick Severs and Head Coach Chris Toledo survey the action in the CHS vs Saxony semi-final game of the 2022 CIT. Jim Beers Photo
Each team traded baskets throughout most of the 3rd quarter. The Crusaders added 12 points to their total by the end of the third while Chester added eight more points in the third, all by Jared Landeros who made three field goals and back-to-back free throws. Saxony led by 14 points, 37-23 at the end of the third period.
Each team scored an additional 15 points in the fourth quarter. Chester did so by two field goals by Jared Landeros, a 3-pointer and a free throw by Chance Mott, two baskets off the bench by DeVantae Palacio and a three pointer by Lucas Thompson.
The Crusaders earned their 15 points by one field goal by John Hartman and 13-of-22 free throw shooting (60%). The final score, Saxony 52- Chester 38.
In the loss Chester was led by Jared Landeros who scored 16 points, followed by Chance Mott (6), Cooper Eggemeyer (4), DeVantae Palacio (4), Ethan Stumpe (3), Lucas Thompson (3), and Trae Fricke (2). For the night the Jackets made 12 two-pointers and three 3-pointers. They shot 83% from the free throw line (5-of-6).
Saxony was paced by three players who scored in double figures including John Hartman (11), William Eldridge (11), and Logan Pruitt (10). The Crusaders made 19-of-32 free throws (59%).
With the loss, Chester moved to the Game 11, the 3rd Place game. Saxony Lutheran advanced to Game 12, the Championship game.
Game 9: 7th Place (Saturday January 15, 2:30 p.m.): Valmeyer 59-Perryville 37
The Valmeyer Pirates fought the Perryville Pirates for the 7th Place finish in Game 9. Valmeyer led throughout the contest, 21-9 after one quarter, 38-20 at halftime, 49-24 after the third quarter and 59-37 to end the game.
Valmeyer was led by three players in double figures including Vincent Oggero (21), Jordan McSchooler (14), and Aidan Crossin (13). Perryville was paced by Jackie Truong (13).
With the win, Valmeyer finished the tournament with a record of 1-2 and claimed then7th Place title. Perryville ended with a record of 0-3 and finished in 8th Place.
Game 10: Consolation Championship (Saturday January 15, 4:00 p.m.): Lovejoy 59-Valle 45
Lovejoy challenged Valle Catholic for the title of Consolation Champion. The first half was close with Lovejoy leading 9-4 after one quarter of action and 22-16 at the half. Down by just six points going into the third quarter, an 18-11 Wildcat advantage put Lovejoy up by 13 points, 40-27.
A huge fourth quarter put the game away for Lovejoy as the Wildcats outscored the Valley Warriors 19-18 to win the game, 59-45. With the loss Valle Catholic ended the tournament with a record of 1-2 and a 6rth Place finish. Lovejoy finished the tournament with a record of 2-1 and earned the Consolation Championship trophy.
The 2021-22 CHS Cheerleaders won the Cheer Competition at the 58th Annual Chester Invitational Tournament (CIT). Members of the 1st Place YellowJacket squad include Hannah Blechle and Alex Hennrich, Captains, Juniors Emma Eggemeyer, Svanna Guebert, and Reese McCormick; Sophomores Bethany Baughman, Dyson Helmers, and Ellen McCormick; and freshmen Peyton Cole, and Kourtney Welton. The Cheer Squad is coached by Danielle Laramore. She is assisted by Kandace Williams. Danielle Laramore Photo
Game 11: 3rd Place (Saturday January 15, 5:30 p.m.): Chester 69-New Athens 67
The 3rd Place game featured Chester vs New Athens. It was certain that the Yellow Jackets would win the game due to the fact that both teams had the Yellow Jacket mascot.
This was a close, very competitive game that was exciting and challenging. Chester led, 17-9 after the first quarter which saw Jared Landeros and Trace Frick shine with 10 and seven points respectively. Landeros hit three field goals and was a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Fricke drained a trey and two 2-point shots for his seven points.
For New Athens, Codey Boone hit a trey, Gannon Birkner sank a pair of buckets and Andrew Wynn hit a shot. The New Athens YellowJackets trailed by eight points,17-9, after the first quarter.
New Athens outscored Chester 17-13 in the second period, but still trailed by four points, 30-26, at the end of the first half.
Gavin Schroeder paced the Chester Jackets with six points during that period, Chance Mott drained a three ball, and Jared Landeros and Trace Frick each hit shots to give CHS 13 points.
Isaiah Lintker of New Athens hit his second, third and fourth 3-pointers of the game, Codey Boone hit a three ball, Gauge Birkner hit a field goal and a free throw and James range sank a bucket for New Athens’ 17 points.
The New Athens YellowJackets stayed hot after the popcorn break and outscored Chester again, 22-16, to take a slim, two-point 48-46 lead after three quarters of play. Trace Fricke led the Chester Jackets with two field goals and a three pointer.
Codey Boone paced New Athens with seven points on a trey and a pair of field goals. Gauge Birkner added five points as did Gannon Birkner.
Down the stretch Chester outscored New Athens to win the game, 69-67. The game came down to the wire, however, with both teams battling until the final second. Chester came out on top and claimed the 3rd Place title with a tournament of 2-1. New Athens finished with a record of 1-2 and a 4th Place spot in the standings.
Game 12: Championship (Saturday January 15, 7:00 p.m.): Gibault 50-Saxony 43
The 2022 Champion of the CIT was decided in Game 12 in the final contest week-long event. No. 1 seed Waterloo Gibault Catholic hosted the No. 2 seed Saxony Lutheran at 7:00 p.m.
The Gibault Hawks jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter behind the work of sophomore Kaden Augustine (4), Kameron Hanvey (4) and Jude Green (2). William Eldridge scored Saxony’s only points on a field goal for two points.
The Hawks continued to fly in the second frame outscoring the Crusaders 16-11 to take a 26-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.
After the halftime break, the Crusaders returned to challenge the Hawks and outscored them, 16-4 to come within one point, 30-29 after three quarters of play. In that successful run, Saxony’s Luke Eggemeyer led the charge with two field goals and a three-pointer for seven points. John Hartman added a trey and Wade Eggemeyer, Wilson Lodge and Logan Pruitt each scored two points apiece.
With a 1-point lead Gibault went to work in the fourth quarter to sustain their control of the outcome. The Hawks were successful outscoring the Crusaders, 20-14 down the stretch to win the tournament.
In that final drive Kameron Hanvey drained three field goals, Ian Bollinger connected for a trey and 2-for-2 free throws and Jude Green made all four of his free throws to seal the deal. In the fourth quarter the Hawks were almost perfect at the line sinking 7-of-8 free shots.
In the win, Saxony was led by one player in double figures. John Hartman scored 11 points followed by Luke Eggemeyer with nine points. Gibault got scoring from seven different players including Kameron Hanvey (14), Kaden Augustine (11), Ian Bollinger (8), Jude Green (8), Gavin Kessler (6), Owen Scherff (2), and Hudson Blank (1).
Gibault ended the tournament with an unblemished record of 3-0 while Saxony had a 2-1 record.