By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — The Chester High School Yellow Jacket Boys’ Basketball Team is on a roll having swept both games in Week 10.
Chester won at home over Madison Thursday January 27 in a very competitive contest, 43-35.
They then beat Okawville on the road Friday January 28 in a barn-burner, 45-43.
The Jackets, coached by Chris Toledo, have now won four-in-a-row; five-of-their last six games; six of their last seven; nine-of-their last 13 games; and now have a record of 12-10 overall and 3-3 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division.
Chester has wins over Anna-Jonesboro, Sparta, Jefferson, Okawville, Sparta, Woodlawn, Carterville, Lovejoy, New Athens, New Athens, Okawville, and Madison.
Jared Landeros, a 6’3″ Chester High School senior, led the Jackets in two victories in Week 10. In the 43-35 win over Madison Thursday February 27 Landeros scored 17 points and was 4-of-8 (50%) from the line. Friday night at Okawville Landeros helped his team sweep the Rockets for the season in Cahokia Conference play, with a game-high 24 points in the 45-43 win. In that game he shot 58-percent (7-of-12) at the charity stripe. Jim Beers Photo
Their only losses were to Pinckneyville, Murphysboro, a four-point loss to Harrisburg, a knock-down-drag-out loss at Lovejoy, a Cahokia Conference loss to Carlyle, losses to Nashville, Red Bud, Mt. Carmel, Wesclin, and a loss to Saxony in the semi-final game of the Chester Invitational Tournament. Chester has not lost since January 13th.
Chester 43-Madison 35
The Jackets hosted Madison Thursday January 27 at Chester’s Colbert Gym on Rocky Bridges Court. The game started out neck-and-neck in the first quarter with both teams scoring 12 points.
Chester’s Jared Landeros led the charge for the YellowJackets with seven points with Devante Palacio adding two points and Lucas Thompson draining a three-pointer. Madison’s Der Enlow paced his squad with six points.
In the second quarter the Jackets edged Madison by five points, 11-6 to take a 23-18 lead into the locker room at halftime. Trace Fricke hit a three-pointer and Chance Mott made a pair of baskets in that frame to add to four points from Landeros. Madison’s Enlow hit his third 3-pointer of the game to lead his team.
After halftime the Jackets returned to Rocky Bridges Court to outscore Madison by six points in the third quarter to extend the lead to 37-26. Five YellowJacket players contributed to the success of that run including Mott (5), Gavin Schroeder (3), and Landeros, Palacio, and Fricke who each added two-points apiece.
Der Enlow, Hurst and Dea Enlow teamed up to score Madison’s eight points. The YellowJackets enjoyed a nice 11-point lead after three quarters of play.
In the final 8:00 Madison outscored Chester, 9-6 to end the game trailing by eight points, 43-35, giving the win to the YellowJackets.
In the win, CHS was led by Jared Landeros, the only Yellow Jacket player to score in double figures with 17 points. Other contributors to the win included Chance Mott (9), Trace Fricke (7), Devante Palacio (4), Gavin Schroeder (3), and Lucas Thompson (3).
In all, six Chester YellowJackets contributed to the win offensively. For the night Chester hit 12 traditional 2-point field goals and 5 three-pointers. From the free throw line the Jackets were 4-of-8 (50%).
Madison had two players contribute double figures to the offense including Der Enlow (17) and Dea Enlow (10). Other scorers were Hurst (4), Baker (2) and Wilson (2).
With the non-conference win, Chester achieved a winning record of 11-10 and remained 2-3 in the Cahokia Conference.
Chester 45-Okawville 43
Friday night February 28 the YellowJackets traveled to Okawville to take on the Rockets in a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division game. It was hard-fought, close, exciting game with the YellowJackets edging out the Rockets for a two-point win, 54-43, to sweep the Rochets in conference play.
The hometown Rockets blasted off to a five-point first quarter lead, 13-8, after one quarter of competition.
Okawville was led by Teter who drained a pair of 3-pointers. Schubert added four points on a field goal and perfect 2-for-2 shooting at the free throw line. Riechmann topped-off the 13-point outing with a trey.
Chester was paced by Jared Landeros who hit a layup and made both of his two free throw attempts. Devante Palacio and Trace Fricke finished the first quarter effort with two-pointers.
The second quarter was a deadlock with both Chester and Okawville scoring 12 points apiece. The result was that the Rockets still enjoyed a 5-point lead, 25-20, as the first half ended.
In the second frame Landeros set the pace for Chester with seven points on a trey, a two-pointer and two more free throws giving him a perfect 4-for-4 outing at the charity stripe for the first half. Trace Fricke drained a three ball and Ethan Stumpe hit a bucket to round out the 12-point total.
Four players shared the 12-point effort from the Rockets including Riechmann, Wiedwilt, and Welch with three pointers, Jansen with a basket and Riechmann with 1-of-2 free throws.
After the break, Okawville returned to outscore Chester, 11-10 in the third quarter. In spite of this close scoring period the Rockets still enjoyed a six-point lead, 36-30 after three quarters of battle.
Two players handled all of the scoring for the Rockets in the third period. Schleifer reared his head for the first time in the game with a whopping nine points on three field goals and a trey. Another previously silent player, Anderson, came alive to hit 2-of-4 free throws to round out the 11-point Rocket quarter.
Chester’s entire 10 points came from just one player. Jared Landeros carried the YellowJackets on his back in the third period hitting four field goals and making 2-of-4 free throws for the Jacket’s ten points.
To end the game, the YellowJackets shot down the Rockets by a tune of 15-7 to edge out Okawville by two points, 45-43, for the win! To accomplish this goal six YellowJackets flew a hard-fought mission to sting the Rockets into submission with their 15-point effort.
Jared Landeros led the attack hitting a field goal and driving to the bucket to draw fouls which sent him to the line enabling him to make 1-of-3. Trace Fricke popped a three-pointer to broaden the Okawville gap and Cooper Eggemeyer scored his first points of the game on a trey. Change Mott, Ethan Stumpe, and Devante Palacio each connected for two-pointers to help seal the deal for the win.
The Orange Crush defense grounded the Rocket’s air attack holding them to just seven points down the stretch. Only two Rocket players were able to connect for points. Jansen hit the only field goal in the fourth quarter and Riechmann went to the line nine times and made five free shots to round out the Rocket’s 7-point effort.
In the win, Chester was led by Jared Landeros who scored a game-high 24 points. Five other Yellow Jacket players contributed to the Jacket’s offensive production including Trace Fricke (8), Ethan Stumpe (4), Devante Palacio (4), Cooper Eggemeyer (3), and Chance Mott (2).
For the night Chester hit 13 two-pointers and four three-pointers for a total of 38 points. The other seven points came from the free throw line as CHS made 7-of-12 free throws (58%).
Okawville’s 43 points came from eight different players including one player, Riechmann, in double figures with 12. Other contributors were Schleifer (9), Teter (6), Shubert (4), Jansen (4), Wiedwilt (3), Welch (3), and Anderson (2). The Rockets made just six two-pointers, but drained seven three-pointers. From the free throw line Okawville made 10-of-17 shots (70%).
With the win Chester improved to 12-10 overall and moved up in the Cahokia Conference standings with 3-3 record. The win also extended a 4-game winning streak.
Next up for the YellowJackets will be a 3-game Week 11 with two road swings and one home game. CHS will travel to Carlyle tonight and will host Red Bud Friday February 4.
On Saturday February 5 the Jackets will hit the road again, this time to DuQuoin for a non-conference game. The Chester JV will play at 2:00 p.m. followed by the Varsity at 3:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. the Lady Jacket Varsity will play the Lady Indian Varsity in one game.