CHS says goodbye to 5 senior boys’ basketball players and 5 senior cheerleaders
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The Chester High School Boys’ Basketball Team closed out its 2022-23 regular season with a 43-42 win over Cahokia Conference Illinois Division rival, Wesclin, Tuesday February 14. It was Valentine’s Day and the Jackets played a “sweetheart” of a game holding on to win for the second time this season against the Warriors.
Chester’s Camrynn Howie (3) led all players on either team at the 2022-23 Class 1A Sparta Regional Tournament when the Lady Jackets played Nashville in the Quarterfinals. Howie scored 18 points against Nashville to lead both teams in the scorebook. Howie led the Lady Jackets in most games this season and played her final game as a Chester High School Lady Jacket Basketball Player at the Regional Tournament.
It was also “Senior Night” 2023 at CHS and the Chester faithful said farewell to five CHS Cheerleaders and five YellowJacket Basketball players.
During a pre-game ceremony prior to the varsity game, both senior cheerleaders and senior basketball players were recognized along with their parents. Each senior received flowers, balloons and other gifts as a goodbye and gesture of thanks for years of service to the CHS Cheer and Basketball programs.
Senior cheerleaders included Maleia Absher, Emma Eggemeyer, Savanna Guebert, Reese McCormick, and Paige Thomas.
Maleia is the daughter of Kim Absher. Emma is the daughter of Aaron and Amy Eggemeyer. Savanna is the daughter of Kasey Guebert and Joe Jany. Reese is the daughter of Travis and Carrie McCormick. Paige is the daughter of Brian Thomas and Sara Chandler.
Senior basketball players included Clayton Andrews, Trace Fricke, Jacob Handel, Chance Mott, and Gavin Schroeder.
Clayton is the son of Dean and Denise Andrews. Trace is the son of Chuck and Ashley Fricke. Jacob is the son of Carl and Patricia Handel. Chance is the son of Jeff and Tracy Mott. Gavin is the son of Travis and Chasity Schroeder.
In the freshman and JV games, which preceded the varsity game, the freshmen won a nail-biter, and the YellowJacket JV team beat the Wesclin Warriors JV by a score of 42-40. Chester beat Wesclin earlier in the season Friday January 6 on the road by eight points, 54-46.
The varsity game started off with the YellowJackets buzzing out to a 21-15 lead over the Warriors. In that frame, Chester’s Gavin Schroeder was unstoppable launching four 3-pointers for 12 of Chester’s 21 points. Teammate Chance Mott sank two traditional 2-pointers and a trey for seven points. Kolton Jany rounded out the 21-point effort with a bucket.
Wesclin’s Macke scored 12 of the Warrior’s 15 points knocking down three baskets and six-for-six at the free throw line. Teammate Mueller knocked down a three ball to finish off the 15-point first quarter.
The second period was close and exciting as the Jackets maintained their lead by outscoring the Warriors, 6-5, to take a seven point advantage, 27-20, into the locker room at halftime.
In that low-scoring second quarter, CHS sophomore, Davante Palacio scored all of the YellowJacket’s points on three buckets. For the Warriors, Rakers popped a 3-pointer and Macke knocked down a basket for Wesclin’s five-point effort.
The tables turned after the halftime break as Wesclin outscored Chester, 17-8, to lead, by two points, 37-35, after three quarters of play.
The Warriors were led by Macke who scored seven of Wesclin’s 17 points on a trey, a 2-pointer, and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Fridley got his first points of the night recording five points on a three ball and a 2-pointer. Rakers hit his second 3-pointer of the game, and Mueller added two points on a basket.
In the third quarter Davante Palacio started off right where he left off in the second quarter by scoring four points on two buckets. He went 0-2 at the line, however. Gavin Schroeder came back alive in the third and hit a shot for two points, and Chance Mott added a basket for Chester’s eight points.
The 4th quarter was hard fought, close and exciting. Chester was able to get an advantage over Wesclin by making up its 2-point deficit to tie the game at 37-37, then managed to outscore the Warriors, 6-5, down the stretch, and hold the Warriors scoreless in the final seconds to win the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division battle by one point, 43-42.
In that game-deciding period, Gavin Schroeder stepped up and hit his 5th 3-pointer of the night. Chance Mott knocked down a trey and made a 2-pointer for five points. Their efforts gave Chester its eight points.
The YellowJacket defense was stingy down the stretch and held Wesclin to just five points. In that frame, Macke popped a three ball and Fridley rose his head again for two points.
In the win, the Jackets had double-digit scoring from three players including Gavin Schroeder (17), Chance Mott (14) and Devante Palacio (10). Kolton Jany rounded out the scoring with a 2-pointer.
Chester recorded 11 two-pointers, 7 three-pointers, and shot 0-5 from the free throw line. The Jackets were called for 10 fouls.
Wesclin recoded 8 two-pointers, 6 three-pointers and shot 8-of-9 from the free throw line (89%). The Warriors were called for 11 fouls.
The Warriors were led by one player who shot in double figures. Macke scored 24 points. Fridley (7), Rakers (6), and Mueller (5), rounded out Wesclin’s 42-point effort.
With the win, the YellowJackets improved to 12-19 overall and closed out the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division record at 6-4.