Cobden withdraws from final night of competition due to Homecoming conflicts, thus altering Saturday’s tournament schedule
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — Day three of the 16th Annual Chester High School Lady Jackets Mid-Winter Classic Wednesday January 4 saw a huge upset when No. 4 Marissa beat No. 1 Sparta 29-28 in a thriller.
In the earlier game, it was no surprise as No. 5 Valmeyer defeated No. 8 Cobden, 48-36, to advance to the Consolation Championship. Cobden had to withdraw from the final day of competition due to the fact that Saturday is their Homecoming, which caused Saturday’s tournament schedule to be altered.
No. 5 Valmeyer downs No. 8 Cobden, 48-36 in Games No. 5
Round 2 of the 16th Annual Chester High School Lady Jackets Mid-Winter Classic Basketball Tournament kicked off Wednesday night January 4 at 6:00 p.m. when the No. 5 Seeded Valmeyer Lady Pirates battled the No. 8 Seeded Lady Appleknockers.
The first quarter was a close contest with Cobden managing a 1-point lead, 9-8 over Valmeyer after one quarter of play.
The Lady Pirates exploded in the second quarter to outscore Cobden, 20-6, and take a 13-point lead, 28-15, into the locker room at halftime.
The remainder of the game was challenging as both teams scored evenly, 11-11, in the third quarter and Cobden outscored Valmeyer 10-9, in the fourth quarter. In the half, Cobden actually outscored Valmeyer, 21-20.
The Pirate’s 13-point advantage coming out of the second quarter saved them, allowing them to win by 12 points, 48-36.
In the win, Valmeyer was led by two players in double figures. Brooke Miller scored 17 and Avery Proffer added 16.
Other contributors included Kylie Eschmann (9), Josie Reeves (4), and Lillian Turner (2). The Pirates made (13) 2-pointers, (7) 3-pointers and were 1-of-5 from the free throw line (20%).
Cobden’s work horse was Dixie Kaufman who scored 19 points. Other scorers were Natalie Franklin (7), Kylie Hale (4), and three players with two points apiece including Rhylee Sauerbrunn, Becka Burgess, and Dora Funes. The Appleknockers made (14) 2-pointers and (1) 3-pointer. They were 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the charity stripe.
The win qualified Valmeyer to compete in the Consolation Championship game Saturday afternoon, January 7 at 4:00 p.m. They will face the winner of the Steeleville vs New Athens game.
Cobden withdrew from the tournament due to conflicts with their Homecoming festivities that afternoon/evening.
No. 4 Marissa upsets No. 1 Sparta in Game No. 6
The Sparta Lady Bulldogs were expected by many fans and tournament staff to be the favorite to win the 2023 title. The Lady Bulldogs had the No. 1 Seed and faced the No. 4 Seed, the Marissa Lady Meteors, in the second game of Night 1 of Round 2 in Game 6, Wednesday night January 4.
The game was close throughout the 32-miutes of the nightcap. Marissa opened the first quarter with an 8-6, two-point lead after the first quarter. Sparta answered with an 8-5 second quarter to enjoy a two-point, 14-12 lead at the halftime break.
The Lady Meteors answered in the third quarter, outscoring Sparta, 11-8, to regain a slim, one-point lead, 23-22, after three quarters of competition. Down the stretch it was nip-and-tuck, as both teams traded baskets for a 6-6 tie in scoring and a marginal 1-point win for the No. 4 Marissa Lady Meteors, 29-28.
In the win, Marissa did not have any players score in double figures, but did have offensive production from five players including Kaitlyn Klingeman (9), Autumn Gilley (7), Annie Villarreal (6), Mia Lanier (4), and Hannah Krause (3). The Lady Meteors hit (10) 2-pointers, (1) 3-pointer, and made 6-of-10 free throws (60%).
Sparta was led by senior Sydney Rheinecker who scored 15 points. She was backed by five other Lady Bulldogs who contributed offense including Isabelle Ware (6), Ruthie Pillers, Sadie Hamilton, and Maddie Schulein with two points apiece, and Kenzie Pierce who sank a free throw. The Dawgs made (13) 2-pointers but were scoreless from 3-point range. At the free throw line Sparta made 2-of-8 (25%).
With the win Marissa advances to the
2023 Championship game to face either Chester or Dupo, whoever wins the Semi-Final game Thursday January 5. Sparta will play the loser of the Chester vs Dupo game for 3rd Place.
Cobden’s withdrawal from the tournament forces changes in Saturday’s Tournament Schedule
Cobden announced Thursday morning that they were going to withdraw from the final day of competition in the 16th Annual LJMWC. Apparently it is Homecoming weekend at Cobden and the Lady Appleknockers are opting to dedicate their time to Homecoming activities rather than play in the 7th-8th Place game.
Thursday night’s action saw New Athens beat Valmeyer 41-27 in a consolation semifinal game and Chester beat Dupo 54-28 in a championship semifinal game.
Therefore the Tournament schedule will change as indicated below.
Saturday January 7: Consolation Championship at 4:00 p.m. New Athens vs Valmeyer
Saturday January 7: 3rd Place game at 5:15 p.m. Dupo vs Sparta
Saturday January 7: Championship game at 6:30 p.m. Chester vs Marissa
- There will NOT be a 7th-8th Place game.
- The loser of the Steeleville vs New Athens game Thursday night will be finished due to the elimination of the 7th-8th Place game.