Warriors win, 44-31, over Chester
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Jacket’s Week 10 started off on a bad note Monday January 29 when the Jackets traveled to Wesclin. The Jackets challenged the Lady Warriors in their second Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division contest of the 2023-24 season and allowed the Lady Warriors to sweep the season series, 44-31.
The first time the Jackets and Warriors met back in Week 2 of the season on Monday November 27th, the Warriors beat the Jackets, 60-43. It was Chester’s first regular season game of 2023. The loss was the Jacket’s second loss of the very early season after going 2-1 in the 2023 Sparta Girls Tournament.
CHS Junior, Rylie Conley (11) was Chester’s second-highest scorer Monday January 29 when Chester traveled to Wesclin. Conley scored nine points, grabbed 4 rebounds, had 3 steals and dished out 1 assist. Jim Beers Photo
In the final regular season game of the year against Wesclin on Monday, the Jackets scored 12 less points and the Lady Warriors scored 16 less points than they both did back in November. Improved defense possibly was the cause for the decreased offensive production from both teams.
The loss dropped the Lady Jackets below the .500 mark in their overall season record to 13-14. It also dropped Chester to 1-7 in the 2023-24 Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division race.
The first quarter was close and competitive with Wesclin leading by just 5 points, 8-3, after the first 8:00.
In that first frame, Chester’s Rylie Conley scored the Jacket’s only field goal and Lexie Mott hit 1-of-2 free throws.
Lauren Marks led Wesclin with a 2-pointer and a 3-pointer for 5 points. Chloe Nordmann hit a bucket and Emma Rahm connected for a free throw.
The second quarter Chester outscored Wesclin, 10-8, to get within 3 points, 16-13, at halftime. The game was even more competitive than after the first quarter.
In the second frame, Chester’s Aubrey Coleman stepped up and drained two 3-pointers. Conley and Mott each hit 2-pointers to round out Chester’s 10-point scoring effort.
Wesclin was led by Lexi Oster who hit a basket and two free throws. Lexi Hooks and Emma Rahm each sank free throws for the Lady Warrior’s eight points.
After halftime the Lady Jackets came back ice cold and could only muster up 4 points. Rylie Conley hit Chester’s only field goal and Lexie Mott made 2-of-2 free throws for Chester’s four points in the third quarter.
Wesclin, on the other hand, was hotter than a fire cracker scoring 13 points. Lauren Marks and Emma Rahm each hit a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer for 10 points and Lexi Oster drained a trey to round out the Warrior’s 13-point effort.
After three quarters of play, Wesclin had pulled ahead of the Lady Jackets by 12 points, 29-17. That period would turn out to be the demise of the Lady Jackets.
Both teams were hot in the final frame with Wesclin outscoring Chester by just one point, 15-14. The damage had already been done, however, in the third quarter, as Wesclin led at the buzzer, 44-31 to sweep the series.
Down the stretch, Chester’s Lexie Mott connected for a pair of field goals and 3-of-5 free throws for seven points. Rylie Conley stayed consistent and drained a 3-pointer, and Jesse Stumpe and Aubrey Coleman each hit field goals to make Chester’s 14 points.
The Lady Warriors had scoring from four players with Lauren Marks (4), Lexi Hooks (4), Hailey Kallvy (3), and Chloe Nordmann (4) combining for the Warrior’s 15 points.
In the loss, Chester was led by sophomore Lexie Mott who scored 12 points, led the team in rebounds with 13 for a double-double, and recorded 1 assist and 1 steal. Junior, Rylie Conley was Chester’s second-leading scorer with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals.
Other contributors included Sophomore Aubrey Coleman (8 points and 2 rebounds), and Jesse Stumpe (2 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal). Camryn Luthy added six rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
As a team, Chester made 8-of-31 two point shots (26%) and 3 of 9 three point shots (33%). From the field the Jackets were 11 of 40 (28%). CHS made 6-of-15 free throws (40%).
Wesclin was led by Lauren Marks who scored 16 points. She was followed by Lexi Oster and Emma Rahm who each scored seven points apiece. Chloe Nordmann added six points, Lexi Hooks recorded five points and Hailey Kallvy had three points.
The Lady Jackets will be back in action Thursday February 1 when Chester hosts Red Bud in their final Cahokia Conference game of 2023-24. CHS will close Week 10 Saturday February 3 at DuQuoin.